As Week 14 of the 2026 MLB season unfolds, fantasy managers hunting for a competitive edge are turning to the waiver wire for under‑the‑radar starting pitchers. While many rotisserie leagues still rely on headline names, the deepest pools are being reshaped by a handful of arms that have slipped past the 40‑percent roster threshold in shallow formats and the 30‑percent mark in deeper ones.
Shallow‑League Sleepers
In the shallow‑league spectrum, Tampa Bay’s Griffin Jax has posted a 3.00 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP over his last five starts, fanning 26 batters in 24 innings. Cleveland’s Joey Cantillo, already a six‑win pitcher, boasts a 3.87 ERA and 85 strikeouts across 86 frames this year. Houston’s Peter Lambert sits at a 3.28 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and 64 strikeouts in 68 innings over 12 outings. Chicago White Sox veteran Sean Burke is 5‑0 with a 3.71 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 87 innings, having logged at least six punchouts in each of his last seven turns. Baltimore’s Brandon Young, meanwhile, has compiled six victories, a 3.11 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 72 innings, stringing together seven consecutive starts of at least five innings.
Deeper‑League Options
For those who can afford a deeper roster spot, the next tier offers additional upside. San Diego’s Walker Buehler, a five‑win pitcher, carries a 3.81 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 78 innings, and has turned a 1.71 ERA and 27 strikeouts over his last 26 frames. Chicago Cubs right‑hander Javier Assad broke through with a win in his most recent start, surrendering three runs while striking out five in five innings. Detroit’s Keider Montero posted a 3.39 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP, blanking the opposition in his last outing. Milwaukee’s Shane Drohan, at 3‑2 with a 3.12 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 52 innings, also shows a 33.9% chase rate that hints at future upside. Brewers prospect Brandon Sproat dazzled by fanning 10 hitters in a six‑inning shutout against Cincinnati last week, and Boston’s Jake Bennett has delivered five quality starts, each lasting at least five innings, highlighted by a three‑strikeout victory over the New York Yankees.
Beyond the headline names, additional arms such as Reynaldo Lopez, Ian Seymour, Andrew Alvarez, Jose Cabrera and Alan Rangel are also worth monitoring as the waiver wire continues to churn out surprise performances. Streaming these pitchers can provide a decisive boost in categories ranging from strikeouts to wins, but managers should weigh matchup difficulty and recent workload. As the season progresses, the balance between risk and reward will determine which of these sleepers become staples of championship‑contending rosters.