It was an interesting first week of the 2024 MLB season from a pitching standpoint. Yes, there were standouts. However, several notable pitchers are already done for all of 2024. So for those who need a replacement or two, which pitchers are worth a look? Let’s take a look at five pitchers worth looking at on the 2024 fantasy baseball waiver wire for Week 2.
Logan Allen
With Shane Bieber and Eury Perez done for all of 2024 and Spencer Strider‘s availability in question, it’s safe to say that many fantasy owners will need pitching help. One name who’s trending up is Logan Allen, who’s off to a strong start to begin 2024.
Allen struck out six Mariners on April 3 to win his second game of 2024, and he owns a solid 2.31 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. The lefty doesn’t have an overpowering fastball, although his fastball’s had decent carry (16.4” of IVB in 2024) to it. However, his secondary stuff plays very well off it. Last season, Allen struck out 119 over 125.1 IP.
Ronel Blanco
Injuries to several Houston starters paved the way for Ronel Blanco to make the Astros rotation to begin 2024 — and he dazzled in his first start. Blanco struck out seven Blue Jays and threw a no-hitter in his first start.
Blanco had some success as a starter last season, as he struck out 35 over 38 innings with Houston in that role. He’s got a good mid-90s fastball that plays up with extension and he used his changeup 36 times in that no-hitter. For reference, Blanco threw a changeup just 81 times in 2023.
Reid Detmers
Slowly but surely, Reid Detmers has begun to establish himself at the MLB level. Detmers missed bats last season, as he posted an above-average 27.1% Whiff% rate in 2023 but didn’t always have success. This season, the lefty’s been better.
The 24-year-old struck out seven Orioles and earned his first victory of 2024 on March 31. On April 6, Detmers struck out nine over his first four against the Red Sox. He’s always had good stuff but this has been nearly the best we’ve seen of Detmers at the MLB level to this point.
Michael Kopech
The White Sox won just one game after their first eight — but Michael Kopech completed that lone victory. Kopech notched his first save of 2024 on April 2 against the Braves, putting himself as the favorite to get saves in Chicago moving forward.
Kopech, despite plus stuff, struggled with command as a starter. But thus far, the fastball velocity is up in his shortened outings and command is less of a concern.
Luis Gil
Yankees right-hander Luis Gil, who was on this list for Week 1, nearly won his first game of 2024 on April 1 and would have had he not hit a pitch limit. Still, it was an impressive outing. Gil struck out five over 4.2 IP and sat in the 96-99 MPH range with his fastball. His 97.7 mean MPH on the four-seamer was almost a full point higher than in 2022.
Gil’s pitch counts will likely be heavily controlled, given he’s returning from Tommy John surgery. However, that power stuff, including a high-90s fastball, makes Gil a strong target.