April 24: Andrew Cashner
Welcome to Pickup of the Day, where every weekday we'll pick an under-the-radar player whose immediate value is on the rise. The idea here is to identify a starter who can give you some solid innings off the scrap heap, a talented backup who's been given 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, Pickup of the Day is geared more towards interim success, but hopefully we'll have the intuition to help you snag a waiver-wire gem a few times this season.
Andrew Cashner began the season in long relief, but he was asked to make a spot start Saturday against the Giants after Clayton Richard was scratched due to flu-like symptoms. And he pitched well under the circumstances, allowing two runs over four innings while striking out five and walking just one. The Padres are 29th in the majors with a 5.87 ERA from their starters, so they are now prepared to give him an extended opportunity in the rotation. The 26-year-old right-hander has shown an ability to miss bats, including a couple of impressive starts with the Padres last season, but injuries have gotten in the way of a breakthrough. Some still think he'll end up as a closer in the long run, but he's worth stashing in deeper fantasy leagues.
Previous Pick up of the Days:
April 23: Devin Mesoraco
April 22: Anthony Rendon
