Joey Cantillo

Cantillo has found a new trick — reports point to a modified breaking ball — and the results over his last three starts are impossible to ignore: 22 strikeouts, 3 walks, 3 earned runs, including 9 K in 6 IP vs. Seattle on Friday. His 12.8% swinging-strike rate now ranks 16th among qualified starters, ahead of aces fantasy managers treat as anchors. Add in 10-team leagues now; in 12-team formats he belongs on rosters as well if you need SP depth heading into the second half.

A mechanical adjustment — dramatically increasing curveball usage while cutting his four-seamer — has produced back-to-back dominant starts. His 1.42 ERA over the last three starts is backed by genuine swing-and-miss stuff. With a favorable upcoming schedule (Rangers, Twins, Marlins), the timing to add is now.

Cantillo has quietly been a top-30 SP — 4-1 with a 3.05 ERA and a strikeout rate in the mid-30s. The Guardians' rotation is the AL Central's best (Williams + Messick + Cantillo + Bibee). Last week to claim him before the ownership catches up to the production.

Pitcher List has him as a Yahoo Most Added this week. The dual SP/RP eligibility makes him uniquely valuable in leagues with pitcher slot requirements, and the changeup whiff rate (~50%) supports the breakout.

Started @ New York Yankees (0W-0L, TBD ERA)

Started vs Washington Nationals (4W-1L, 3.05 ERA)

Started @ Detroit Tigers (3W-1L, 3.40 ERA)

Started vs Cincinnati Reds (3W-1L, 2.98 ERA)

Started vs Los Angeles Angels (2W-1L, 3.43 ERA)

Started @ Kansas City Royals (1W-1L, 3.67 ERA)

Started @ Athletics (1W-1L, 2.97 ERA)

Started @ Toronto Blue Jays (1W-0L, 3.20 ERA)

Started vs Baltimore Orioles (1W-0L, 2.61 ERA)