Ken Waldichuk

ActiveIL

Washington Nationals · RP

Age 286' 4" · 220 lbsThrows Left

#684 Preseason

FBaseball Overview

This left-handed pitcher enters 2026 seeking to establish himself as a rotation contributor for Washington after limited early-season action. Through his first taste of the year, Waldichuk has struggled with his command and effectiveness, posting a 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 9.1 innings while striking out eight batters. Fantasy managers should view him as a speculative deep-league pick or waiver wire option with upside potential, as he needs to significantly improve his control and pitch efficiency to deliver meaningful wins and strikeout production. If he can find consistency and secure regular starts in the Nationals' rotation, Waldichuk offers mid-tier upside in ERA and WHIP categories, though early returns suggest a patience-required approach heading into 2026.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2022	Oakland Athletics	7	7	2	2	0	4.93	1.21	33	34.2	10
2023	Oakland Athletics	35	22	4	9	1	5.36	1.56	132	141.0	71
2026	Washington Nationals	5	0	0	0	0	6.75	1.50	8	9.1	6
Career	Totals	47	29	6	11	1	5.35	1.49	173	185	87

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2021	2 teams▼	23	21	6	3	3.03	1.15	163	110	51
2022	3 teams▼	15	15	2	4	3.53	1.27	91	66.1	26
2025	2 teams▼	17	16	2	6	8.17	1.96	68	54	42
Career	Totals	61	58	14	13	4.03	1.32	368	259	129

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Last Week / Last Month

Current season · MLB only

7 games

G	GS	IP	W-L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
5	0	9.1	0-0	0	6.75	1.50	8	6

30 games

G	GS	IP	W-L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
5	0	9.1	0-0	0	6.75	1.50	8	6

Game Log2026 MLB

Loading game log…

Advanced Stats2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo93.1 mph

Avg Spin2347 rpm

Whiff %27.4%

K %20.0%

BB %12.5%

Hard Hit %38.5%

Barrel %19.2%

xERA7.21

xBA Against0.243

xSLG Against0.577

BA Against0.235

SLG Against0.588

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

Loading player data...

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2022

Oakland Athletics

4.93

1.21

34.2

2023

Oakland Athletics

5.36

1.56

132

141.0

2026

Washington Nationals

6.75

1.50

9.1

Career

Totals

5.35

1.49

173

185

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2021

2 teams▼

3.03

1.15

163

110

2022

3 teams▼

3.53

1.27

66.1

2025

2 teams▼

8.17

1.96

Career

Totals

4.03

1.32

368

259

129

W-L

ERA

WHIP

9.1

0-0

6.75

1.50

W-L

ERA

WHIP

9.1

0-0

6.75

1.50