Ken Waldichuk

Waldichuk's first full season in the majors was largely forgettable, as he finished with a 5.36 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 132:71 K:BB across 141 innings. The 26-year-old lefty primarily worked as a starter but also operated behind an opener (22 starts in 36 appearances). His first 10 outings of the season were a disaster with 40 earned runs allowed in 48.2 frames, but he pitched much better the rest of the way and had a 3.42 ERA in his final 10 outings, though he also had a 4.74 FIP. Waldichuk had a 1.5 HR/9 for the season and a still-high 1.4 mark down the stretch, which was accompanied by a total walk rate of 11.1 percent. He doesn't have an established floor and it was revealed this offseason that he has a UCL sprain and flexor strain, so he needs to show he's healthy in the spring to be mildly appealing as a home streamer in the deepest of leagues.

Waldichuk was acquired from the Yankees in the Frankie Montas trade and made his MLB debut for Oakland in September. The left-hander was up-and-down in his first taste of the big leagues with 4.93 ERA across seven starts, though he finished on a strong note with seven shutout frames against the Angels in the season finale. He had 137 strikeouts across 95 minor-league innings and has a decent four-pitch mix. Waldichuk should open 2023 in Oakland's rotation, but his fantasy utility won't be more than a dart throw until he sees more action in the majors.