2023 MLB Fantasy: Five Pitchers to Target on the Waiver Wire (Week 19)

Even though there’s a little bit more than a month and a half before the end of the 2023 MLB regular and fantasy baseball seasons, there’s still time to get things right. For those in need of some arms, here’s a look at five interesting pitchers to consider this week.

Graham Ashcraft

Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft’s been incredible since the start of the second half. Across 38.1 IP — second-most in the Majors since the All-Star break as of August 13, behind Sandy Alcantara (44 IP) — Ashcraft went 2-1 with a 27:11 K:BB ratio and a sparkling 2.11 ERA.

Yes, Ashcraft’s numbers will likely stabilize. It’s highly unlikely that Ashcraft, who loves to pound the zone with his cutter or sinker, can sustain a .228 BABIP. However, his stuff has plenty of life on it and he’s got the opportunity to be a nice option for fantasy owners in need of wins and quality innings.

Emerson Hancock

Mariners RHP Emerson Hancock showed Seattle fans why he was taken in the first round three years ago last week. In his first start as a Major Leaguer, Hancock struck out three over five innings, in which he gave up just one run. He did walk three batters, but Hancock also owned an impressive 31.8% Chase% rate against the Padres.

Hancock is set to face the Royals on August 15.

Adam Ottavino

Left-hander Brooks Raley got the first save opportunities for the Mets after the David Robertson trade, but it appears Adam Ottavino might now be the Mets reliever to own moving forward. Ottavino got a chance to get a save on August 9 against the Cubs, but couldn’t get out of the ninth and left in favor of Phil Bickford.

Four days later against the Braves, Ottavino did finish the job to get his seventh save of 2023. For those in need of cheap saves, Ottavino is an option.

John Means

Orioles LHP John Means has been on the shelf for more than a year thanks to Tommy John surgery and a setback in between. But, Means is now officially on the road back. The 2019 AL All-Star threw two scoreless innings on August 10 in Bowie, his first rehab outing. While he’s likely not an option for Baltimore until September, it’s nonetheless a positive step forward and makes Means a name to watch as he gets ready for MLB game action.

However, it’s unclear whether the Orioles will slot in Means as a starter when he returns. The O’s currently have a rotation that includes Kyle Gibson, Dean Kremer, Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez, and Cole Irvin.

Gavin Williams

Since he was called up in June, Guardians RHP Gavin Williams‘ had his ups and down. While he owned a respectable 3.38 ERA through his first eight MLB starts, he walked at least four batters in half of those outings. That, however, has not been the case in his last two starts. Against two quality opponents in the Blue Jays and Rays, Williams struck out 22 and yielded just one earned run and one walk over 12 innings.

Entering the day on August 13, Williams was just one of ten pitchers with 40+ strikeouts since the start of the second half. Armed with elite stuff, the right-hander’s looked like an ace in recent weeks.