Dixon’s Picks: Waiver Wire Additions for the Week of September 23

Photo courtesy of Tom Hagerty.

Here we are. The end of the year is upon us. To those of you still in contention, congratulations and good luck. To those of you who have fallen out, great efforts — and I know you’ll be back next year. Actually, you’ll be back sooner than that, as we’re going to keep pumping out stuff through the offseason. We’re all going to spend one week recharging the batteries with some re-posts, then we’re going to get right back into it.

But for now, let’s have one final Dixon’s Picks of 2013. Before we get into the new names, let’s look at my season’s stats after the weeks of Andrew Cashner, Yusmeiro Petit, and Marco Estrada.

Estrada had a nice week, but again reminded us why streaming in September is a little tricky. With expanded rosters, it’s very easy to move rotations around, moving someone back a day. The Brewers did that with Estrada last week and if I had to guess, that’ll happen this week. So, we have to look ahead and go off of the scheduled outings.

Let’s do it.

• Yordano Ventura, Kansas City Royals — Probable Starts: Monday at Seattle Mariners, Saturday at Chicago White Sox

There’s plenty to like about Yordano Ventura this week.

1. You don’t get much better than that in terms of matchups, especially in the American League. Outside of the Houston Astros, the Mariners and White Sox are about the most pitcher-friendly lineups that the junior circuit has to offer.
2. He showed very well for himself in his MLB debut last week against the Indians.
3. The dude throws gas, pure gas. He’s one of a few players in the majors now that can legitimately hit 100 MPH. With that, it’s hard to imagine that Ventura won’t strike out a handful of hitters, especially against these lineups.

I like the youngster to get you some needed K’s, and probably at least one win this week. You may have to bite a little bit on the WHIP because like many young fire-ballers, Ventura will walk a hitter or two. But the rest of the package is pretty favorable.

Ventura’s Projections for the Week

• Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies — Probable Starts: Monday at Miami Marlins, Saturday at Atlanta Braves

Here’s a guy that you may not know. So, from what I understand, Roy Halladay is a lesser known project that the Phillies have high hopes for for 2015, so this is a sneak preview.

Okay, bad jokes aside. I know that Doc isn’t exactly the Cy Young Award winning best pitcher in baseball anymore. We haven’t seen that since 2011 (2010 for the Cy Young) and when you’re in your mid-30’s, a few years is an eternity in baseball.

But I know that Halladay is a tough old pro and when he’s out there, he won’t be mailing it in. That’s something that you can’t take for granted at this time of the year when a veteran is playing on a bad team.

I also know that he’s trying to showcase his skills for next season and wants to leave on a good note. That’s not just for the Phillies, but the 29 other teams in the league.

Lastly, the Marlins’ offense is anemic and while the Braves are potent, that comes with a few caveats.

1. They’re free-swinging and can be pitched to.
2. It’s the second-to-last game of the season, and they are playing for next to nothing. The division is clinched and even things like seeding can easily be wrapped up by then.

Doc’s days as an elite arm are done. Heck, his days as an overall valuable fantasy player may be, as well. But for this week, I can give him the endorsement. And certainly, my endorsement is at the top of Doc’s list of career accomplishments.

Halladay’s Projections for the Week

• Tanner Roark, Washington Nationals — Probable Starts: Monday at St. Louis Cardinals, Saturday at Arizona Diamondbacks

The reason Tanner Roark is at the bottom of this list isn’t an accident. I don’t like those matchups, especially the first one as the Cardinals will certainly have something to play for.

But ultimately, I can not overlook these numbers, which is what Roark has done in 2013 between AAA and the majors:

That’s just too much to ignore, even though he’s facing good lineups this week. Also, I’m not alone, as Will Meadows gave his endorsement to Roark for the rest of the year last Friday.

Notice two more things.

1. Although he threw more than twice as many innings in the minors, his MLB numbers are even better than the MiLB totals.
2. His last outing came against the Braves. They’re a good lineup, and Roark completely shut them down.

Again, I don’t like the matchups. But I do like people pitching for something at this time of the year (Roark qualifies). Also, a hot pitcher will shut down a good offense. Roark is a hot pitcher right now.

So, I’d at least give him strong consideration this week.

Roark’s Projections for the Week