Rotoworld’s Pickups of the Day column is designed to help fantasy managers identify a few under-the-radar players whose value is on the rise. The primary goal is to identify a starter who can provide solid innings off the scrap heap, a talented backup or intriguing prospect getting a chance because of a starter’s injury, an unheralded regular with a favorable matchup, or a potential breakout player who’s starting to put it together. Unlike regular waiver-wire advice, Pickups of the Day is geared more towards interim success, but hopefully we’ll help fantasy managers snag the occasional waiver-wire gem a few times this season.
PICKUPS OF THE DAY
Tylor Megill, SP/RP, Mets
Available in 77 percent of Yahoo leagues
It’s extremely challenging, maybe impossible, to stream starting pitchers at the outset of the regular season. With that caveat out of the way, there’s some legitimate streaming intrigue when Megill faces the Marlins on Friday in New York’s home opener. The 27-year-old right-hander recorded seven strikeouts and allowed just two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings last Saturday in his season debut against the same Miami lineup, and the Marlins currently rank dead last in baseball with their average of 2.14 runs per game.
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Trevor Larnach, OF, Twins
Available in 87 percent of Yahoo leagues
The post-hype breakout label gets thrown around liberally these days, especially in the age of prospect proliferation, yet it feels appropriate in this case. With Alex Kirilloff (wrist) and Jorge Polanco (knee) sidelined at the outset of the regular season, Larnach has stepped into a prominent role for the Twins, making six consecutive starts in a corner outfield spot to open the year. The 26-year-old former first-round pick from the 2018 MLB Draft is batting a robust .391 (9-for-23) with one homer and six RBI across 27 plate appearances. His sizzling-hot start also coincides with a stellar performance in spring training in which he hit .351 (13-for-37) with four homers in 13 Grapefruit League contests. After missing the majority of last year due to groin and abdominal injuries, Larnach is healthy and showing exactly why he was such a promising prospect just a few years ago. He’s worthy of a roster spot in all fantasy formats moving forward as a burgeoning upper-echelon four-category contributor.
Adbert Alzolay, RP, Cubs
Available in 98 percent of Yahoo leagues
This one is for the deep-league fantasy managers out there. Alzolay recorded five strikeouts and allowed two runs over 2 2/3 innings on Tuesday to collect a win in relief against the Reds. The 28-year-old former top pitching prospect has the raw stuff to rapidly evolve into an elite high-leverage reliever, and is off to an excellent start this season, allowing just two runs with an 8/0 K/BB ratio across 4 2/3 innings (two appearances). He’s a dark horse candidate for saves in Chicago at some point in the near future. In the meantime, he’ll rack up plenty of strikeouts in a versatile multi-inning role.
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