Fantasy Baseball has been up and running in all formats for over a month now, I’ve taken part in at least 24 drafts this year so far, and have done some mock drafts just to play around and to kind of pick other’s brains. Mock drafts are basically practice. So I’d like to talk about who gives value after the draft as far as pitchers go if you are lacking a specific stat. First off we will talk about who to pick up after the draft for wins, strikeouts, and saves. The saves category is fun for me because there is always a hidden gem as some might call it.
I am actually going to start with saves. Depending on the amount of roster spots this can be a really fun tactic to try. Lets say your team has 5 (SP) 3 (RP) and 6 (P) I’m doing this one because this is what most of my leagues are that I run. I actually have these 3 RP on one of my teams, I have the Astros’ Josh Hader, Dodgers’ Evan Phillips and Jhoan Duran from the Twins, all great relievers to have right? Yes, with the 5 SP obviously starters only, some will get their 2 start weeks too for you in your match-ups, which is even better.
Here’s the fun part I was getting to, (P) spots are good for 1) loading up on other starters to plug in the SP spot when it is their turn to pitch, 2) use the (P) spot for long reliever and hope for a relief win or hold, I like this idea as well. Now, thirdly I use the (P) spot for the setup guys to get the HOLDS and pick up the occasional save. Your draft is finished and you want to look to the waiver wire to see what is left for closers to get you some more saves. Sometimes there’s the odd pitcher left that’s an actual closer you can pick them up, great!!
No official closers sitting, look at guys who are mending previous injuries or who may have gotten roughed up during spring training, their backups are guys I’m gonna grab RIGHT AWAY. So, my first choice here is Griffin Jax from the Twins, 7 Innings this spring Jax has a 12/0 K/BB ratio in his 7 innings pitched. Jax has yet to dominate in terms of ERA in his time in the bullpen, but everything else is very promising. He should be the clear favorite for saves in Minnesota with Jhoan Durán out, and he’s worth adding anywhere he’s available. Here’s another player I’ll talk about for saves real quick, same team Brock Stewart. Stewart was dominant when he was available last season, pitching to an 0.65 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 39K in 27IP you gotta love that for a relief guy and the current closer starting the season on the IL. Pick either or BOTH of these guys for some saves and they’re gonna help your team.
I can’t help but add one more. I thought I was done with the 2 Minnesota relievers, but this is a hard one not to mention, so lets call it the honorable mention RP, I’m looking at you Jeff Hoffman, Philadelphia Phillies RP. Hoffman finished his season with a 2.41 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 33.2 percent strikeout rate in 52.1 IP I’m looking for him to replicate that this year. Hoff should earn a handful of saves if the Phillies go with a closer by committee, manager Rob Thomson has favored this strategy in the past. All 3 of these guys are available as your drafts commence, GRAB EM’.
So you say you need some WINS !! There’s pitchers sitting on the wire for you, trust me. I look to fill some (P) spots with streamable options that are sitting undrafted, Garrett Whitlock of the Red Sox and teammate Tanner Houck, both had a good spring and lets face it, the Red Sox aren’t in a great place pitching wise lately especially after Chris Sale is now with the Atlanta Braves. Whitlock earned a starting role by collecting a 3.45 ERA and 16:2 K:BB over 15.2 Grapefruit League innings. Boston are going to manage Whitlock’s workload, he is available in most formats at the completion of all drafts I’ve been in, so unless you’re in a 20 team league and he’s gone, pick him up.
Tanner Houck grabbed the fifth spot in the rotation says manager Alex Cora. Houck, arguably the club’s best starter this spring, having posted a 2.40 ERA and 16:3 K:BB over 15IP. Houck is not that great vs lefties but he’s worth the risk given that he is available. If Max Meyer Marlins SP is sitting, I’m grabbing him as well, Miami has some key injuries to their starters, Meyer is fully healed from his Tommy John surgery. Meyer comes with an electric fastball and wipeout slider this combination gives him a chance to miss plenty of bats and make an impact for fantasy managers. He’s worthy of a speculative roster spot in all fantasy formats right away.
Lacking STRIKEOUTS, well this can be fun depending on what you want to do, stream starters is always good, other managers hate it especially ones that don’t move players around as much, its kind of unfair, but not against the rules. I’m gonna do both strategies, based off current matchups. Oakland isn’t that great but they are trying to improve, as a move to Las Vegas is imminent. JP Sears is a pitcher I am looking at, last season he racked up 161 K’s on the year in 172 IP, which is almost a K/IP. His spring training has been encouraging, Sears has recorded 13 strikeouts while issuing just one walk, and he appears to be almost built up for the start of the season.
Next I’m going with Andrew Heaney, locked in as the 3rd starter for Texas to start the campaign he’s gonna pitch 150-160 innings, Heaney will be a K/9 IP pitcher, and he is on the defending champs and just sitting there, I’m taking a chance on a guy who will get 150+ strikeouts given he stays healthy.
Here is something to do other than streaming a starter, with this (P) spot to pick up a Win. A manager can go with a long relief pitcher/closer/setup guy here too, lets face it baseball is back and forth sometimes with the score, these relievers do get Ws at the end of the day. I am looking at 2 pitchers here and it’ll be a short explanation, I’m grabbing Mike Baumann of the Baltimore Orioles, Baumman picked up 10 wins in relief last season and will also get you Ks as another K/IP guy. Phillies Matt Strahm was stretched out last spring and did very well in six starts, he’s being treated as a pure reliever this season, Strahm has a very respectable K ratio, 108 K over 87.2IP, gotta grab him.
Hopefully this helps out some of you guys, have fun and good luck this season
Photo Credit; Twinkie Town, UPI, MLB.com, Lone Star Ball
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