By now, you shouldn't even have to debate whether or not to pick up the Cardinals' Michael Wacha. For players with his upside, it's automatic. They don't always meet their potential right away. In fact, they usually don't. But you'll benefit so much from that one in six times they do (completely unsubstantiated statistic there) that you won't even care about the times you whiffed.
And unlike the Kevin Gausmans and Yasiel Puigs of the world, Wacha now has some data that suggests he may meet his potential right away. In his major-league debut, he two-hit the Royals over seven innings. Like I said on Fantasy Baseball Today, as long as he's pitching like this, it's his job to lose. Granted, it was the Royals and just one little start, but it's more revealing than nothing. And compared to Gausman's line so far, it's attractive to potential competitors who'll be flocking to the waiver wire for the next big pickup. Isn't that the ultimate indicator of who most deserves a roster spot?
Other than talent, of course, which is already assumed with him.