The fantasy baseball community is turning its attention to Week 17, a critical juncture where a single strong start can lock down a roster spot and shift the balance of power in playoff chase scenarios. This week’s waiver wire focus spotlights starting pitchers who remain on the radar of fewer than 40 % of Yahoo leagues, offering a chance to gain a decisive edge before the postseason push.
Roki Sasaki has been nothing short of dominant over his last three starts, culminating in a seven‑inning masterpiece against the New York Mets in which he surrendered just one run and struck out nine batters. The young right-hander’s blend of high‑velocity fastballs and a sharp splitter has produced an ERA well below the league average, making him an enticing add for any roster in need of innings and strikeouts.
Rising Arms to Watch
Michael McGreevy stepped into the seventh inning with poise, allowing four runs while fanning three hitters. Though the run support was limited, his 3.07 ERA and 1.13 WHIP underscore a pitcher who is gradually ironing out the control issues that have hampered his early‑season consistency.
Shane Drohan continues to prove his durability, posting five wins, a 3.20 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts across 76 innings. His ability to eat innings and keep opponents off the scoreboard has turned him into a reliable streamer for deeper leagues that need reliable production from the back end of the rotation.
Other arms generating buzz include Christian Scott, whose four‑seamer has produced a 28.8 % strikeout rate, and Kyle Leahy, who has compiled a 3.59 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 95 innings. Brady Singer, Zac Thornton, Keider Montero, and Brandon Pfaadt each bring a mix of recent success and favorable matchups that could translate into solid fantasy production.
The key for fantasy managers is to balance upside with risk. While some of these pitchers face tough lineups in the coming days, the recent trends suggest that adding any of them could provide the needed boost to stay competitive in the final stretch of the season.