Michael Wacha

Active

Kansas City Royals · Pitcher

Age 356' 6" · 215 lbsThrows Right

FBaseball Overview

At 34 years old, Wacha continues to function as a reliable mid-rotation starter for Kansas City, offering modest but consistent strikeout production with 84 Ks through the 2026 season while maintaining an ERA and WHIP that sit comfortably in the streaming-friendly range. His workload has decreased from 172.2 innings last year to 108.2 this season, suggesting either injury concerns or a reduced role that fantasy managers should monitor closely. The 2015 All-Star and 2023 NL Pitcher of the Month winner won't pile up wins or saves, but he provides depth for managers seeking predictable ratios and spot-start opportunities without the volatility of younger arms. Age and durability remain the primary risk factors, though his track record of professional consistency since his 2013 debut indicates he can still contribute in deeper leagues or as a back-end rotation piece.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2013	St. Louis Cardinals	15	9	4	1	2.78	1.10	65	64.2	19
2014	St. Louis Cardinals	19	19	5	6	3.20	1.20	94	107.0	33
2015	St. Louis Cardinals	30	30	17	7	3.38	1.21	153	181.1	58
2016	St. Louis Cardinals	27	24	7	7	5.09	1.48	114	138.0	45
2017	St. Louis Cardinals	30	30	12	9	4.13	1.36	158	165.2	55
2018	St. Louis Cardinals	15	15	8	2	3.20	1.23	71	84.1	36
2019	St. Louis Cardinals	29	24	6	7	4.76	1.56	104	126.2	55
2020	New York Mets	8	7	1	4	6.62	1.56	37	34.0	7
2021	Tampa Bay Rays	29	23	3	5	5.05	1.31	121	124.2	31
2022	Boston Red Sox	23	23	11	2	3.32	1.12	104	127.1	31
2023	San Diego Padres	24	24	14	4	3.22	1.16	124	134.1	43
2024	Kansas City Royals	29	29	13	8	3.35	1.19	145	166.2	45
2025	Kansas City Royals	31	31	10	13	3.86	1.22	126	172.2	45
2026	Kansas City Royals	18	18	5	6	3.45	1.16	91	114.2	31
Career	Totals	327	306	116	81	3.86	1.27	1507	1742	534

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
2012	3 teams▼	11	2	0	0	0.86	0.57	40	21	4
2013	Memphis Redbirds	15	15	5	3	2.65	0.99	73	85.0	19
2014	Springfield Cardinals	1	1	0	0	0.00	1.00	1	2.0	1
2018	2 teams▼	3	3	0	1	8.10	1.65	8	6.2	3
2022	2 teams▼	2	2	0	0	2.00	0.78	13	9	3
2023	El Paso Chihuahuas	1	1	0	0	0.00	2.50	2	2.0	3
2024	ACL Royals	1	1	0	0	0.00	0.50	6	4.0	0
Career	Totals	34	25	5	4	2.43	0.95	143	129.2	33

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

Game Log2026 season

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Pitching Analytics2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo93.1 mph

Avg Spin2007 rpm

Whiff %22.0%

K %19.6%

BB %6.7%

Hard Hit %36.4%

Barrel %6.2%

xERA4.05

xBA Against0.25

xSLG Against0.409

BA Against0.239

SLG Against0.404

GB%40.8%

FB%26.6%

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.

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Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2013

St. Louis Cardinals

2.78

1.10

64.2

2014

St. Louis Cardinals

3.20

1.20

107.0

2015

St. Louis Cardinals

3.38

1.21

153

181.1

2016

St. Louis Cardinals

5.09

1.48

114

138.0

2017

St. Louis Cardinals

4.13

1.36

158

165.2

2018

St. Louis Cardinals

3.20

1.23

84.1

2019

St. Louis Cardinals

4.76

1.56

104

126.2

2020

New York Mets

6.62

1.56

34.0

2021

Tampa Bay Rays

5.05

1.31

121

124.2

2022

Boston Red Sox

3.32

1.12

104

127.1

2023

San Diego Padres

3.22

1.16

124

134.1

2024

Kansas City Royals

3.35

1.19

145

166.2

2025

Kansas City Royals

3.86

1.22

126

172.2

2026

Kansas City Royals

3.45

1.16

114.2

Career

Totals

327

306

116

3.86

1.27

1507

1742

534

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2012

3 teams▼

0.86

0.57

2013

Memphis Redbirds

2.65

0.99

85.0

2014

Springfield Cardinals

0.00

1.00

2.0

2018

2 teams▼

8.10

1.65

6.2

2022

2 teams▼

2.00

0.78

2023

El Paso Chihuahuas

0.00

2.50

2.0

2024

ACL Royals

0.00

0.50

4.0

Career

Totals

2.43

0.95

143

129.2