2023 MLB Fantasy: Five Pitchers to Target on the Waiver Wire (Week 7)
More pitchers to target.
We’re into the seventh full week of the 2023 fantasy baseball season. A new week means a fresh chance to look at potential waiver wire targets, and there are some good ones that should be widely available. Let’s take a look at five of our picks to target in fantasy this week.
Related: 2023 MLB Fantasy: Five Hitters to Target on the Waiver Wire (Week 7)
Tanner Bibee
After an ugly start on May 8 against the Tigers, Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee rebounded in a matchup against the Angels and his former high school teammate Patrick Sandoval. Bibee struck out seven over 7.2 IP and gave up just one run in a no decision. Bibee now owns a 3.22 ERA, although it would be much lower if one ignores that poor start against Detroit.
Bibee’s batted ball metrics are excellent and his stuff, highlighted by a powerful fastball and a plus slider, gives the righty a good chance to stick in the rotation — even when Triston McKenzie and Aaron Civale are ready to return from the IL.
Dylan Floro
Marlins reliever Dylan Floro stands a good chance to pick up saves over the next few weeks. Left-hander A.J. Puk hit the IL on May 14 due to a nerve issue, leaving the closer’s spot open in Miami. The 32-year-old Floro notched a save on the 14th against the Reds, a good indication that the righty should be the favorite to accumulate saves in the interim.
Josiah Gray
Nationals RHP Josiah Gray notched his third win of the 2023 season against the Giants on May 10, as he continues to provide value for those who took a chance on him in fantasy. Gray threw seven quality innings, in which he struck out three but only gave up two runs. Among pitchers who’ve thrown at least 30 innings, Gray owns the 24th-best ERA (2.96) in Major League Baseball.
Despite a 3-5 record, Gray has won three of his previous four starts and stands a good chance to pick up at least one win this coming week. The righty’s set to face the Marlins on the 16th, and then should match up against the Tigers on the weekend.
Seth Lugo
Padres RHP Seth Lugo was once again effective this past week, when he gave up just two runs and struck out five over six innings on May 11 against the Twins. Over his last two starts, Lugo’s yielded just three runs and notched ten strikeouts over 12 innings. That bodes well for Lugo this week, as he’s set to face the Royals on May 16 in San Diego.
Don’t expect Lugo to start every fifth day, as the Padres are rolling with a six-man rotation at the moment. That does work to Lugo’s benefit, as it should allow the Padres to better manage his workload and allow the righty to stick in the rotation. Lugo’s well on his way to surpass 100 innings in 2023, a milestone he hasn’t hit since 2018.
Louie Varland
Since the start of May, just three Major League pitchers — Spencer Strider, JP Sears, and Joe Ryan — have more swinging strikes than Twins RHP Louie Varland. The 25-year-old’s been quite strong during the month of May, as he’s struck out 19 over 17 innings an recorded his first win of the year on May 14 against the Dodgers.
Varland induces plenty of whiffs thanks to a diverse four-pitch that includes a changeup, cutter, slider, and four-seamer. While it might behoove the righty to pound the zone a little bit less — he’s given up six home runs already this season — Varland does have the potential to be an intriguing pitcher for the Twins season, especially with both Kenta Maeda and Tyler Mahle on the shelf.
