Is Casey Mize a Must-Add Waiver Pickup for Fantasy Baseball?

After taking a look at some waiver wire hitters to possibly add on Wednesday, April 9, let's now check in on some pitchers.

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Should You Add Casey Mize?

Mize's work through two starts is what is making him a waiver wire option right now.

He's 2-0 with a 0.77 earned run average over his first two outings. Mize has allowed a run on five hits, while punching out 12 and walking six.

His first start was against a weak Mariners' lineup, before he battled the Yankees a couple days ago. Mize worked 5 2/3 scoreless frames against Seattle, allowing a hit and three walks, while striking out six. He also had six punchouts over six strong innings against New York, allowing a run on four hits and three walks.

The walks are concerning, but Mize is getting out of jams, limiting runs and striking out enough batters to be a pretty good fantasy asset right now. 

He's someone to definitely own in deeper leagues right now, and the way he's pitching, I can understand if you want to roster him in standard leagues. Mize is tentatively lined up to face the Twins and Royals in his next couple starts, so while he is likely to regress a touch, those matchups look decent or better on paper.

If you hope to utilize Mize in his next start, you might need to add him a couple days before he pitches, because his own percentage will likely skyrocket, so act accordingly.

Should You Add Landon Knack?

Knack has been in Triple-A, but is expected to start for the Dodgers against the Nationals on Wednesday.

Knack worked two MLB innings early in the season, not allowing a run on a hit, while striking out three and walking none. In AAA, he allowed two runs on five hits and two walks, while striking out five over 4 2/3 innings in his only appearance.

A clash with the Nationals is a pretty favorable matchup, but his fantasy ceiling is probably capped because he'll only be able to cover five or six innings tops. Knack has a career 3.55 ERA in the big leagues, so I get why a lot of fantasy owners want to utilize him Wednesday.

I'd call Knack a better deep-league streamer, but also wouldn't be opposed to streaming Knack in a standard league. The matchup is solid enough, and if you need the help, Knack is a decent option.

Should You Add Kris Bubic?

Bubic has been one of the top fantasy waiver wire pitchers over the past couple days, and he's still on the rise as he nears another start.

In his first two outings, Bubic is 2-0 with a 0.71 ERA. He's allowed a run on eight hits and three walks, while striking out 16 batters.

Bubic has faced the Brewers and Orioles so far, which are considered to be average-or-better lineups by most. He struck out eight and allowed three hits, two walks and no runs in six frames against Milwaukee. He surrendered a run on five hits and a walk over 6 2/3 innings against Baltimore - he struck out eight in that game as well.

Bubic has made just three starts over the past two years, and has a career 4.52 ERA, so he's really come out of nowhere for a lot of people. Working mostly as a starter between 2020-2023, Bubic sported a 4.85 ERA.

He's definitely not going to keep pitching as well as he has early on, but I also don't see him regressing to his career marks. Bubic excelled as a reliever in 2024 and he's carried over that success to 2025 as a starter.

I think Bubic needs to be rostered in every deep league at this point, and he's pretty close to being a must-add player in standard leagues too. He's got another pretty solid matchup coming against the Guardians, and then maybe a start against the Yankees after that.

Bubic has already proved he can slow good lineups, so I wouldn't wait around to see if he can keep delivering. I'd add Bubic now and keep riding with him until his results drop way off for multiple starts. I think Bubic is here to stay as a fantasy asset.

Should You Add Easton Lucas?

Lucas has been stellar in his first two starts for the Blue Jays.

He's gone 2-0 and not allowed an earned run over 10 1/3 innings. Lucas has surrendered just four hits and three walks, while striking out 11.

His starts have been against the Nationals and Red Sox, so not the best lineups, but also not the worst of the worst. Lucas has topped out at 5 1/3 innings though, so he's a bit limited in that sense. He flashed strikeout potential, striking out eight Boston batters in his most recent start.

Lucas is a better deep-league asset at this point, but could definitely get standard league love with more strong results on the bump. He's tentatively lined up to face the Orioles and Mariners in his next couple starts. If he excels against Baltimore, he might work into standard leagues.

I'm fine using a deep-league roster spot on Lucas right now - he's at least a streaming option in those leagues, and could be a streamer in a standard league in that upcoming start against Baltimore in a pinch. I'd prefer to see his results in that game before adding him in a standard league though.

Lucas had made 14 MLB appearances in the two years before this one. He owned a 9.82 ERA across 18 1/3 innings, so to say he's come out of nowhere is an understatement.

Lucas is worth keeping tabs on, especially his next start. He could see his own percentage rise quickly.

Should You Add Zebby Matthews?

I'm going to throw another name at you here with Matthews. He's in Triple-A right now, but is pitching well there and could be on his way up after Pablo Lopez suffered an injury in his start on Tuesday.

Matthews has made two starts this season, covering 10 innings. He's allowed two runs on five hits and a walk, while striking out 13. Matthews also started on Tuesday, so it would make all the sense in the world for him to replace Lopez if he can't pitch his next scheduled start.

Matthews made nine starts in the MLB last season, going 1-4 with a 6.69 ERA. He allowed 31 runs (28 earned) on 51 hits and 11 walks. Matthews allowed 11 homers, while striking out 43 batters.

Those aren't super inspiring numbers, but he was a highly-regarded prospect, and is definitely ready for another crack at the big leagues based on how he's performed in Triple-A so far. 

Lopez was set to start against the Tigers this coming weekend, and if he misses the start or gets placed on the injured list, Matthews could take his place.

In deeper redraft leagues, Matthews might be worth adding now for some of you. Even if he isn't called up this weekend, he should get the nod soon enough. You can stash him until that point.

Matthews is a better dynasty/keeper asset at this point, but could quickly become a good redraft asset in all leagues if he gets called up and excels for the Twins. Keep a close eye on his status and numbers.