I have moved away from drafting starting pitchers within the first ten rounds over the years. There were reasons for this strategy. First, the pitching motion is violent and unnatural so there is more chance of injury for a pitcher. Next, the opportunity cost of missing out on top offensive players was too much for me to draft a top starter instead. When I first started paying fantasy sports, Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez were providing more dominating stats than current starters at a time when offenses were more powerful [may have been due to more powerful hitters because of PEDs]. However, pitching has been easier to obtain in recent years so there is not as much of an advantage from drafting starters. While I am still a proponent of this general approach, I am beginning to move back toward a balance approach. I will still not draft the starting pitchers at the top of the list because of the elite hitters I would have to pass on to do so. However, I try to draft the starters from the 11-20 range of my list around the 5th or 6th round then try to pick up another starter from the 21-30 range of my list in between rounds 8-10. With two starters to anchor my rotation, I fill in my rotation with young guns, reliable veterans, or a former elite starter that I believe can make a comeback [Part II of my starting pitchers].
1. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (2013: 236 IP/ 16-9/ 1.83 ERA/ 0.92 WHIP/ 232 K)
Kershaw is the best pitcher in the game. He had a historically great season in 2013. He is a work horse, strikes out almost a batter per inning, and has a 4.5 K/BB ratio. You cannot ask for anything more from a pitcher. If he gets better run support, he will have a record that matches his greatness.
2. Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers (2013: 209.2 IP/ 13-9/ 2.83 ERA/ 1.07 WHIP/ 277 K)
Darvish struck out the most hitters in the league last season by a wide margin. He significantly improved his stats in all areas in his second season. His walks are higher than I like at 80. However, it does not affect his overall stats as he is very difficult to hit. With the high K total, he still has a very good 3.5 K/BB ratio. If the revamped Rangers offense can provide more run support, his record will be more reflective of his effectiveness.
3. Max Scherzer, Detroit Tigers (2013: 214.1 IP/ 21-3/ 2.90 ERA/ 0.97 WHIP/ 240 K)
Scherzer has established himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball in the last season and a half. He has a great 4.3 K/BB ratio. He struck out the second most batters last season. I expect another dominating season from him.
4. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners (2013: 204.1 IP/ 12-10/ 3.04 ERA/ 1.13 WHIP/ 216 K)
He has an excellent 4.7 K/BB ratio. If Cano can revitalize the Mariners offense, King Felix may have more wins to match his overall dominating stats.
5. Stephen Stasburg, Washington Nationals (2013: 183 IP/ 8-9/ 3.00 ERA/ 1.05 WHIP/ 191 K)
The Nationals have been very careful with Stasburg after his Tommy John Surgery in 2010. He has increased his innings each year and should be ready to pitch 200 innings and strike out over 200 batters for the first time in his career. He has a 4.1 K/BB ratio. I believe the Nationals offense will be improved this year so his win loss record should be much better too.
6. Cliff Lee, Philadelphia Phillies (2013: 222.2 IP/ 14-8/ 2.87/ 1.01/ 222 K)
Lee has significantly increased his K rate and it is now at an elite level. Accordingly, he is as good of a pitcher as there is in fantasy baseball. He has the best control in baseball and has a ridiculous 6.9 K/BB ratio.
7. Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox (2013: 214.1 IP/ 11-14/ 3.07 ERA/ 1.07 WHIP/ 226 K)
Unfortunately, Sale played on one of the worst teams in baseball. As a result, he did not get the recognition he deserved for a brilliant season and his win-loss record suffered. He has a 4.9 K/BB ratio and is one of the best pitchers in baseball.
8. Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals (2013: 241.2 innings/ 19-9/ 2.94 ERA/ 1.07 WHIP/ 219 K)
In real life, I would take Wainwright against any pitcher in baseball. In fantasy, I have him slightly lower than the rest of the top pitchers only because his K rate is slightly lower. Regardless, he is an elite option. Similar to Lee, he has an unreal 6.3 K/BB ratio.
9. José Fernandez, Miami Marlins (2013: 172.2 IP/ 12-6/ 2.19 ERA/ 0.98 WHIP/ 187 K)
It should not be this easy. Before the 2013 season, he did not pitch higher than A ball. It is unthinkable that he could dominate the major leagues last season. At only 21, it is mind boggling that he could get even better.
10. Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants (2013: 201.1 IP/ 13-9/ 2.77 ERA/ 1.03 WHIP/ 199 K)
I have not been a big fan of Bumgarner in the past. However, he has improved every season and increased his strikeout total each season. With his overall stats and as a pitcher that will strikeout close to 200 batters, he is certainly worthy of his place among the best pitchers.
11. David Price, Tampa Bay Rays (2013: 186.2 IP/ 10-8/ 3.33 ERA/ 1.10 WHIP/ 151 K)
Price had a rough, injury plagued beginning of his season in 2013. However, he completely dominated after he returned from injury. After the All-Star Break, he was 7-3 with a 2.87 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 84 Ks in 106.2 innings. More importantly, he had a phenomenal 6.5 K/BB ratio. Price significantly improved as a pitcher by improving his control and command. He is also more efficient in getting quicker outs instead of strikeouts. Unfortunately, a decrease in Ks reduces his fantasy value. He is a case where he is a much improved real life pitcher but a worse fantasy pitcher.
12. Zach Greinke, Los Angeles Dodgers (2013: 177.2 IP/ 15-4/ 2.63 ERA/ 1.11 WHIP/ 148 K)
Similar to Price, Greinke is a more efficient and better pitcher now. However, he was more valuable for fantasy purposes when he struck out batters at a much higher rate.
13. Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers (2013: 218.1 IP/ 13-12/ 3.46 ERA/ 1.31 WHIP/ 217 K)
Verlander showed some ominous signs of regression last season. His velocity decreased, his K rates decreased, his walk rate went up, and his batting average against increased. They are not good signs. Nevertheless, he is still in his prime so it is too early to write him off. He had a great September with a 2.27 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. More importantly, he struck out 48 batters in 39.2 innings.
14. Anibal Sanchez, Detroit Tigers (2013: 182 IP/ 14-8/ 2.57 ERA/ 1.15 WHIP/ 202 K)
Sanchez significantly improved his game in his first full season in Detroit in 2013. His overall stats are great and his 3.7 K/BB suggests he can sustain it. While injuries have been an issue over his career, he has been relatively healthy the last 4 seasons. His lowest number of innings in that span is the 182 innings he pitched last season. It is also a plus that he has the ability to strike out over 200 batters in a season.
15. James Shields, Kansas City Royals (2013: 228.2 IP/ 13-9/ 3.15 ERA/ 1.24 WHIP/ 196 K)
Shields does not get as much credit as other top pitchers. However, he is a tremendously consistent workhorse. Every season, he puts in a lot of innings with great overall stats and will strike out 200 batters. His K/BB ratio dropped to 2.9 last season but I am not too concerned. Shields usually slides in the draft. He is a great value in round 7 or 8.
16. Mat Latos, Cincinnati Reds (2013: 210.2 IP/ 14-7/ 3.16 ERA/ 1.21 WHIP/ 187K)
You know what you will get from Latos. He will get you 14 wins, have an ERA within the low to mid 3s, and strike out over 180 batters.
17. Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals (2013: 195.2 IP/ 11-8/ 3.36 ERA/ 1.25 WHIP/ 192 K)
Gonzalez provides 190+ Ks and an ERA in the low 3s. Both are valuable in fantasy baseball. While he has cut down on his walks, he still walks way too many with 76 walks each of the last two seasons. It is also the reason his WHIP is higher than most pitchers on this list. He provides good value in the 7th or 8th round but do not reach higher in the draft for him.
18. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds (2013: 209 IP/ 11-12/ 3.49 ERA/ 1.12 WHIP/ 199 K)
Bailey became a good pitcher in 2012. He significantly improved again in 2013 to become a solid fantasy option. He increased his Ks, kept his walks the same, and the batting average against him decreased. Since 2008, his ERA and WHIP has decreased every year while his Ks have increased. I definitely like seeing the progression. Even if he just performs the way he did last season, he provides a ton of fantasy value in the 7th or 8th round after the top fantasy pitchers go.
19. Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies (2013: 220 IP/ 8-14/ 3.60 ERA/ 1.16 WHIP/ 202 K)
Hamels pitched his worst in years and still had a good fantasy baseball season. His win loss record was terrible but it was more due to the fact that he is on an aging team whose window has closed. His 4 K/BB ratio is excellent. He would be higher on this list if he was ready for the beginning of the season. However, he should be ready in the middle of April or the beginning of May. He will drop a couple of rounds in the draft due to his injury situation but he will be an ace when he returns. Accordingly, he is a great value if he does drop a couple of rounds in your draft. He would be in my top ten if he started the season healthy.
20. Hisashi Iwakuma, Seattle Mariners (2013: 219.2 IP/ 14-6/ 2.66 ERA/ 1.01 WHIP/ 185 K)
Iwakuma has everything that I like to see in a fantasy pitcher: great ERA and WHIP, 180+ Ks, and can be had after all the other starting pitchers are drafted. He has a 4.4 K/BB ratio too so his performance is definitely legitimate.
21. Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants (2013: 184.1 IP/ 8-10/ 4.00 ERA/ 1.16 WHIP/ 158 K)
I have never been a fan of Cain for fantasy purposes. He does not have a high K rate and only struck out more than 190 batters in a season once in his career. It may have been a World Series win hangover but he started the season slow in 2013 with an ERA over 5 in the first half. After the All-Star break, he pitched to a 2.36 ERA. On the other hand, he had a much better K rate in the first half of the season. He will get drafted higher than his actual fantasy value because of his name, which is why I have always passed on him in the draft.
22. Jordan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals (2013: 213.1 IP/ 19-9/ 3.25 ERA/ 1.09 WHIP/ 161 K)
In real life, I love Zimmerman as a pitcher. He has a 4 K/BB ratio and great overall stats. However, his low K rate hurts in fantasy especially in the higher rounds that he is being drafted in. I would take him on my team in real life anytime. For fantasy, he will go sooner than I am willing to take him.
23. Gerrit Cole, Pittsburgh Pirates (2013: 117.1 IP/ 10-7/ 3.22 ERA/ 1.17 WHIP/ 100 K)
Cole’s walk rates in the minor leagues were not great. His control improved in the major leagues. He has also been able to maintain a very good strikeout rate. His 3.6 K/BB rate in his first taste of the major leagues is very promising. Obviously, he has a world of talent as he was drafted first overall in the 2011 draft. Accordingly, his best is yet to come.
24. Mike Minor, Atlanta Braves (2013: 204.2 IP/ 13-9/ 3.21 ERA/ 1.09 WHIP/ 181 K)
Minor was inconsistent until last season when he finally broke out. His overall stats are obviously excellent. His 3.9 K/BB ratio is great. He is dealing with an injury to start the season but he should be ready to pitch in the second week of April. His draft stock should not decrease because he is currently hurt.
25. Shelby Miller, St. Louis Cardinals (2013: 173.1 IP/ 15-9/ 3.06 ERA/ 1.21 WHIP/ 169 K)
Of all the young starting pitchers, I like Miller the best. He tired in the second half of last year. In the first half, he had a 2.92 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 112 Ks in 104.2 innings. His K/BB ratio was 3.9. I clearly believe he is the pitcher that he was in the first half of the season rather than the second half. He also plays for the best organization in baseball and is set up for a great career.
26. Julio Teheran, Atlanta Braves (2013: 185.2 IP/ 14-8/ 3.20 ERA/ 1.17 WHIP/ 170 K)
Teheran was a dud in 2012. He was the real deal in 2013 as he had a breakout season. He has a very good strikeout rate and an excellent 3.8 K/BB ratio. He is the de facto ace of the Braves to start the season due to all the injuries on their pitching staff.
27. Alex Cobb, Tampa Bay Rays (2013: 143.1 IP/ 11-3/ 2.76 ERA/ 1.15 WHIP/ 134 K)
Cobb is another in a line of great, young Rays pitchers. He suffered a horrific injury when he was hit in the head by a line drive last season that limited his innings. Nevertheless, his overall stats are excellent when he was on the field. He has a very good strikeout rate and good control. His only negative is that he pitches in a tough AL East against the best offenses in baseball.
28. Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels (2013: 11-8/ 3.27 ERA/ 1.14 WHIP/ 117 K)
Weaver is still one of the best pitchers in baseball. While he had his worst season since 2009 which was shortened by injury, it was still good. For fantasy purposes, his K rates have decreased every year since he struck out 233 batters in 2010. As a result, he is still a top pitcher in real life but not an elite option in fantasy baseball. Nevertheless, I would take him in a heartbeat if someone does not reach and he is available in the 10th round.
29. Michael Wacha, St. Louis Cardinals (2013: 64.2 IP/ 4-1/ 2.78 ERA/ 1.10 WHIP/ 65 K)
I am not as high on Wacha as most people. On the other hand, he dominated down the stretch of last season and in the playoffs. I definitely think he will be a good pitcher. He has earned the hype. However, someone will reach on him because of potential and the brilliance he has already shown. I may miss out on a big season but I am not ready to use a high enough draft pick to grab him based on a sample size of 64 innings.
30. Masahiro Tanaka, New York Yankees (2013 in Japan: 24-0/ 1.27 ERA/ 0.94 WHIP/ 183 K)
I have no idea how well he will do in the major leagues. However, his numbers in 2013 are ridiculous anywhere. While his strikeout rate may not have been extraordinary, his 5.7 K/BB ratio is. I would not reach on him before the 8th round but he is worth a look.
2014 Fantasy Baseball Guide: Starting Pitchers Part II
The remaining starting pitchers are players I would look at from round 10 or after. Picking studs from this group is usually my bread and butter in fantasy baseball. I will start with the young guns first because fantasy players usually get more excited about them. However, do not forget about the veterans. They may not be as exciting to own but they usually perform better and provide better fantasy production. Have a mix.
Young Guns
1. Danny Salazar, Cleveland Indians (2013: 52 IP/ 2-3/ 3.12 ERA/ 1.13 WHIP/ 65 K)
Salazar is the best of the group. He has a high strikeout rate and a 4.3 K/BB ratio. His minor league track record also supports his performance. He has dominated at every level and I expect him to continue.
2. Matt Moore, Tampa Bay Rays (2013: 150.1 IP/ 17-4/ 3.29 ERA/ 1.30 WHIP/ 143 K)
Moore needs to work on his control. If he can significantly cut down on his walks, he can be an elite pitcher. However, I am not too confident and it is the reason I am not high on him. I am personally staying away from drafting him.
3. Sonny Gray, Oakland As (2013: 64 IP/ 5-3/ 2.67 ERA/ 1.11 WHIP/ 67 K)
Gray pitched beautifully with the As last year. The high strikeout rate and 3.4 K/BB ratio is encouraging. However, he will be drafted too high because he was one of the young stars featured in the playoffs. While his 2013 minor league and major league performance was stellar, he had a low K rate and higher walk rate in 2012. Accordingly, I am not certain enough of who the real Sonny Gray is to invest a good draft pick on him.
4. Tony Cingrani, Cincinnati Reds (2013: 104.2 IP/ 7-4/ 2.92 ERA/ 1.10 WHIP/ 120 K)
His overall stats in the minor leagues and major leagues are exceptional. He has maintained his superior K rate in the major leagues. His walk rate makes me weary. Another concern that was brought up during his first season in the major leagues is that he will need to develop another pitch to continue his success in the major leagues. He is worth a flier but make sure not to reach.
5. Chris Archer, Tampa Bay Rays (2013: 128.2 IP/ 9-7/ 3.22 ERA/ 1.13 WHIP/ 101 K)
Although Archer’s stats with the Rays look promising, I am still very concerned about him. He reduced his walk rate to an acceptable level at the major league level. However, it is a small sample size compared to his larger minor league sample where he walked a ridiculous amount of batters. Then again, he may have figured something out last season. In spring training, he has struck out 9 while only walking one in 10 innings.
6. Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians (2013: 147.1 IP/ 11-5/ 3.85 ERA/ 1.26 WHIP/ 136 K)
Kluber goes under the radar but his peripherals are great. His K/BB of 4.1 is tremendous. Since he will go under the radar, you can draft him in the teen rounds and get a great value.
7. Alex Wood, Atlanta Braves (2013: 77.2 IP/ 3-3/ 3.13 ERA/ 1.33 WHIP/ 77 K)
Wood maintained his strikeout rate in the major leagues. However, his walk rate increased slightly. He is a very promising starter that will grow.
8. Zack Wheeler, New York Mets (2013: 100 IP/ 7-5/ 3.42 ERA/ 1.36 WHIP/ 84 K)
Wheeler definitely has electric stuff. His strikeout rate dropped a bit in the major leagues. However, the real concern is control. He walked way too many men in the minor leagues and it continued in the major leagues. His control improved in August when he struck out 36 compared to 11 walks. However, he regressed back to his bad habits in September with 12 Ks compared to 12 walks. Wheeler knows he has to improve on his control and be more efficient. In spring training, he has struck out 10 versus 3 walks.
9. Yordano Ventura, Kansas City Royals (2013: 15.1 IP/ 0-1/ 3.52 ERA/ 1.24 WHIP/ 11 K)
Ventura has been one of the big stories in spring. He has a 100 MPH fastball and has struck out 15 batters while walking only one in spring training. Obviously, it is a small sample size. Do not reach too high on him but definitely have him on your radar.
10. Tyson Ross, San Diego Padres (2013: 125 IP/ 3-8/ 3.17 ERA/ 1.15 WHIP/ 119 K)
He flies under the radar with the Padres but his stats in 2013 were impressive. He is a good sleeper for a breakout season. He also pitches in the NL and the pitcher friendly Petco park for his home games.
11. Andrew Cashner, San Diego Padres (2013: 175 IP/ 10-9/ 3.09 ERA/ 1.13 WHIP/ 128 K)
He is a talented, young starter but his strikeout rate is too low for my tastes.
Veterans
1. Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati Reds (2013: 60.2 IP/ 5-2/ 2.82 ERA/ 1.05 WHIP/ 51 K)
Cueto is an excellent pitcher but does not have the elite K rate to be an elite fantasy option. He is right on the border of my top 30. It was between him or Weaver and I prefer Weaver.
2. CC Sabathia, New York Yankees (2013: 211 IP/ 14-13/ 4.78 ERA/ 1.37 WHIP/ 175 K)
His decline in performance in 2013 was alarming because of his age. He had his worst ERA of his career. He is definitely aging so he does not have the stuff he had in his prime. However, he can still adjust and be an effective pitcher. He came into spring training thinner and in better shape. His results have been great as he has a 1.59 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, and 16 Ks compared to only 3 walks in 17 innings.
3. Hiroki Kuroda, New York Yankees (2013: 201.1 IP/ 11-13/ 3.31 ERA/ 1.16 WHIP/ 150 K)
Kuroda was brilliant in the first half then tired. Before the All-Star Break, he had a 2.65 ERA. Afterwards, he had a 4.25 ERA. Overall, he is still brilliant. His lack of an elite K rate prevents him from being in my top 30. Nevertheless, it is at an acceptable level and he can definitely help your fantasy team.
4. Doug Fister, Washington Nationals (2013: 208.2 IP/ 14-9/ 3.67 ERA/ 1.31 WHIP/ 159 K)
He was not as good in 2013. However, he still has a very good K/BB ratio and should do better in the NL. Kuroda and Fister are very similar.
5. Hyun-Jin Ryu, Los Angeles Dodgers (2013: 192 IP/ 14-8/ 3.00 ERA/ 1.20 WHIP/ 154 K)
Ryu had a solid rookie season with the Dodgers. I like his 3.1 K/BB ratio. He improved after the All-Star with a 2.87 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 61 Ks in 75.1 innings with a 6.1 K/BB.
6. AJ Burnett, Philadelphia Phillies (2013: 191 IP/ 10-11/ 3.30 ERA/ 1.21 WHIP/ 209 K)
It took him awhile but he finally figured it out and has pitched great the last two seasons. He is also a sure 180+ Ks. He probably falls in drafts because of his past history but is underrated for fantasy baseball.
7. Matt Garza, Milwaukee Brewers (2013: 155.1 IP/ 10-6/ 3.82 ERA/ 1.24 WHIP/ 136 K)
Garza looked great in the NL. With the Cubs in 2013, he had a 3.17 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. He is back in the NL as he signed with the Brewers. I expect him to excel.
8. Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox (2013: 213.1 IP/ 15-8/ 3.75 ERA/ 1.29 WHIP/ 177 K)
He is a great competitor and can pitch for my team anytime. He is a good fantasy option but he has not been an elite fantasy option since he struck out 225 batters in 208 innings during the 2010 season.
9. Clay Buchholz, Boston Red Sox (2013: 108.1 IP/ 12-1/ 1.74 ERA/ 1.02 WHIP/ 96 K)
John Farrell’s return really helped Buchholz. He significantly increased his strikeouts and had tremendous numbers in an injury shortened season. His peripherals just do not sustain his ERA and WHIP. From my perspective, he is more of a pitcher who will have a mid to high 3s ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. His injury risk also lowers his value.
10. CJ Wilson, Los Angeles Angels (2013: 212.1 IP/ 17-7/ 3.39 ERA/ 1.34 WHIP/ 188 K)
Wilson is a solid pitcher. He walks too many for my taste. However, he usually provides a good ERA with 180+ Ks.
11. Francisco Liriano, Pittsburgh Pirates (2013: 161 IP/ 16-8/ 3.02 ERA/ 1.22 WHIP/ 163 K)
Liriano had a comeback season in 2013. He was great in the first half but slowed down in the second half. His 3.95 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 83 Ks in 84.1 innings after the All-Star Break are more in line with my expectations for him in 2014.
12. Justin Masterson, Cleveland Indians (2013: 193 IP/ 14-10/ 3.45 ERA/ 1.20 WHIP/ 195 K)
Masterson significantly improved his strikeout rate last year to achieve fantasy relevance. Nevertheless, he still walks too many men. He has value if he can maintain his strikeout rate.
13. Jeff Samardzija, Chicago Cubs (2013: 213.2 IP/ 8-13/ 4.34 ERA/ 1.35 WHIP/ 214 K)
Samardzija regressed a bit last season as his walk rate increased. Nevertheless, he is a strikeout machine which is very valuable in fantasy baseball.
14. Ubaldo Jimenez, Cleveland Indians (2013: 182.2 IP/ 13-9/ 3.30/ 1.33 WHIP/ 194 K)
I am not a big fan of Jimenez. He walks too many and does not strike out enough. However, his stats in 2013 are too good to ignore. After the All-Star Break, he had a 1.82 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 100 Ks in 84 innings. More importantly, he kept his walks under control with only 27 walks in that span.
15. Dan Haren, Los Angeles Dodgers (2013: 169.2 IP/ 10-14/ 4.67 ERA/ 1.24 WHIP/ 151 K)
I expected a big comeback season in 2013 with a return to the NL. Nevertheless, he still had great peripherals with a 4.9 K/BB ratio. He will fly under the radar so he can be a great value if you draft him in the teen rounds.
16. Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants (2013: 197.2 IP/ 10-14/ 4.37 ERA/ 1.32 WHIP/ 193 K)
His stuff has regressed and will never be the same. However, he still strikes out a lot of batters so he has enough to be effective. Do not reach. I am not too bullish on him but he is worth a risk if he is around in the 12th round or later.
17. Lance Lynn, St. Louis Cardinals (2013: 201.2 IP/ 15-10/ 3.97 ERA/ 1.31 WHIP/ 198 K)
Lynn is similar to Samardzija. He is good for a strikeout per inning and can help in that department. He also walks too many batters.
18. John Lackey, Boston Red Sox (2013: 189.1 IP/ 10-13/ 3.52 ERA/ 1.16 WHIP/ 161 K)
I thought Lackey was a lost cause in Boston but he put together a big time comeback season in 2013. John Farrell’s return to Boston has a lot to do with it. With a 4 K/BB ratio, expect his strong performance to continue.
19. Jake Peavy, Boston Red Sox (2013: 144.2 IP/ 12-5/ 4.17 ERA/ 1.15 WHIP/ 121 K)
Peavy plays on a great team and has a very good 3.4 K/BB ratio. Health is an issue but I expect him to pitch well when he is on the field.
20. Ervin Santana, Atlanta Braves (2013: 211 IP/ 9-10/ 3.24 ERA/ 1.14 WHIP/ 161 K)
I do not love his K rate but he is a good pitcher. He is not on the top of any of my lists because of his inconsistency in his career. Nevertheless, he made the correct choice signing with the Braves because playing in the National League will help him rehabilitate his free agency value as he will try again next offeseason to get a big multi-year deal.
21. Chris Tillman, Baltimore Orioles (2013: 206.1 IP/ 16-7/ 3.71 ERA/ 1.22 WHIP/ 179 K)
Tillman had a very good season in 2013. He is nothing special. He does provide a decent ERA and WHIP with 180+ Ks. He should also get wins with one of the better offenses playing behind him.
22. R.A. Dickey, Toronto Blue Jays (2013: 224.2 IP/ 14-13/ 4.21 ERA/ 1.24 WHIP/ 177 K)
Not surprisingly, Dickey fell back to Earth after a CY Young Award winning season in 2012. He is still a good pitcher. His 2013 stats is more in line of what I expect from him in 2014.
23. Kyle Lohse, Milwaukee Brewers (2013: 198.2 IP/ 11-10/ 3.35 ERA/ 1.17 WHIP/ 125 K)
Lohse is a very good pitcher in real life. He has a fine 3.5 K/BB ratio. However, his mediocre strikeout rate prevents him from being more than a serviceable 5th starter or spot start on your fantasy team.
24. Bartolo Colon, New York Mets (2013: 190.1 IP/ 18-6/ 2.65 ERA/ 1.17 WHIP/ 117 K)
Similar to Lohse, Colon is an excellent pitcher in real life. His 4 K/BB ratio is superb. His mediocre strikeout rate also limits his fantasy value.
25. Bronson Arroyo, Arizona Diamondbacks (2013: 202 IP/ 14-12/ 3.79 ERA/ 1.15 WHIP/ 124 K)
See Lohse and Colon.
26. Josh Johnson, San Diego Padres (2013: 81.1 IP/ 2-8/ 6.20/ 1.66 WHIP/ 83 K)
His one year in Toronto was a disaster. However, he is still a very talented pitcher and has been dominant in his career. A move back to the NL and pitching in Petco Park should help him have a comeback season. On the other hand, health is still a concern. He is already starting the season on the DL.
27. Derek Holland, Texas Rangers (2013: 213 IP/ 10-9/ 3.42 ERA/ 1.29 WHIP/ 189 K)
Holland is out for most of the first half. He is nothing special so do not spend a draft pick holding him.
About Pat Wong
Patrick is a contributor for Rookerville. He is an avid sports fan. Before joining Rookerville, he was part of a defunct New York Yankees message board, NYYankeefans, where he was its top poster and was inducted in its Hall of Fame for his contributions. Patrick is also a passionate fan of movies. He has enjoyed reading movie reviews over the years and is excited about the opportunity to review movies.