Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Drew Thorpe, Miguel Andujar, Robbie Ray, Andrew McCutchen

It’s funny how one can go down a rabbit hole on baseball-reference.com. In looking up Isiah Kiner-Falefa, the great Ralph Kiner’s name popped up on the search box. A click of the mouse, and it was post-World War II times.

Debuting for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1946 at age 23, Kiner led the majors with 23 home runs. He also drove in 81 runs. He was just getting started, as Kiner would lead the National League in home runs each of his first seven seasons. Twice he hit over 50 home runs and three times he hit at least 40.

Kiner walked at least 100 times in six straight seasons. His “average” for each of those first seven seasons was 42 home runs, 110 RBI, and a slash line of .281/.405/.579. In those seasons, he walked 245 more times than he struck out. Talk about a Hall-of-Fame trajectory.

Sadly, a back injury cut short his career at age 32. He still hit 369 home runs with 1,015 RBI in 10 seasons. Pirates fans then and now just have to wonder what might have been. At least he was entertaining as a Mets announcer for all those years.

Now time for some entertaining Deep Sleepers. Here are fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups to target in deep leagues for Week 13.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 13

Drew Thorpe (SP – CWS): 18%

In 34 career minor-league starts, Thorpe has thrown 199 1/3 innings and struck out 238 batters. His 21-3 record, 2.17 ERA, and 0.95 WHIP just add to the story. The kid can pitch. It’s just unfortunate he’s going to have to do it on the South Side of Chicago. Most fantasy managers need pitching – and really who’s not kicking the tires on any call-up with pedigree? Just know that any White Sox pitcher is not going to win many games.

Miguel Andujar (OF – OAK): 17%

Andujar is making up for lost time after missing a chunk of the start of the season on the IL. In his last five games, Andujar is 7 for 19 and batting either third or fourth for the A’s. He’s not a young prospect with his baseball life ahead of him, hitting 27 home runs in 2018 at age 23. He’s still just 29 though, and, if he keeps hitting, he could be a fun player to watch should he get traded to a better club.

Robbie Ray (SP – SF): 12%

Ray, the 2021 AL Cy Young winner, just started his rehab assignment at the Giants’ Arizona Complex League, going two hitless innings on June 10. Pitching to teenagers is far different from facing Shohei Ohtani, but Ray had to start somewhere. His return to the big leagues after Tommy John surgery should be somewhere around the All-Star break. For teams that have an open IL spot, it’s time to take a shot on the lefty.

Andrew McCutchen (OF – PIT): 7%

McCutchen is hitting leadoff for the Pirates, who are heading to Colorado for a three-game series starting tonight. How quickly can you pick him up? He’s 5 for 16 in his last four games, and even has eight homers on the season. Even if you want to drop him after he leaves mile-high altitude, McCutchen could be worth the pickup. Don’t expect him to run too much, as he has just one steal on the season.