Pitching in fantasy baseball has always invoked many strategies, as the most dominant pitchers are typically capable of helping in only four categories (ERA, WHIP, Strikeouts and/or Saves and Wins) versus the best hitters, who contribute in all five offensive categories. This factor, along with the injury risk associated with pitchers, often has me avoid pitchers (like I do the gym) early in fantasy drafts. In fact, my personal preference is to avoid a pick on a pitcher until after Round 5.
Yesterday I highlighted five hitters I expect to have much stronger seasons in 2015 than most fantasy baseball “gurus” expect. Today in Part-2 I analyze the pitching ranks to spot some undervalued arms capable of returning plenty of value on draft day for your fantasy squad. Draft these names with confidence and starting building a shelf for your future fantasy baseball trophy.
Pitchers
1) Gerrit Cole Pittsburgh SP (ADP 80.4)
The former #1 overall pick in 2011, Cole has quietly posted a 3.45 ERA, 3.09 FIP, and 8.4 K/9 ratio over 255.1 innings pitched for the Pirates the last two seasons. Now 24-years-old and set with a terrific defense behind him, this feels like Cole’s breakout season toward becoming one of the best 10 pitchers in baseball. Draft him in the 6th round this year, as it will be the last time he escapes the top-4 rounds for the rest of the decade.
2) Hisashi Iwakuma Seattle SP (ADP 116.5)
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3) Chris Archer Tampa Bay SP (ADP 143.7)
Lost in the difficult 2014 season for Tampa Bay was the breakout season from Archer, who threw 194.2 innings with a 3.33 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 173 strikeouts. He finds himself being drafted around the 12th round due to his lack of wins, but this 26-year-old has the talent to improve on his 2014 statistics and could benefit from a rebound season for the Rays. I am predicting 15 wins for Archer this season, along with a midseason selection to the AL All-Star team – make sure you shrewdly secure his services before another owner snatches him up.
4) Andrew Cashner San Diego SP (ADP 153.0)
This is strictly a gamble on Cashner’s health, as his talent on the mound is unquestioned with a career 3.25 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. However, Cashner is being chosen outside the top-150 because he has thrown only 409.2 innings since 2010 and his 7.27 career K/9 ratio does not match his monstrous arsenal. That said Cashner has plenty of positives, as his pitches in a pitcher’s park in a pitcher-friendly division, the Padres are projected to have a strong bullpen and have upgraded their roster significantly this offseason. Still only 28-years-old Cashner has the potential to post 14+ wins with excellent ratios in 2015, something few names selected this late in the draft can do.
5) Jose Quintana Chicago White Sox SP (ADP 186.0)
Slightly overshadowed on a pitching staff with Chris Sale and new arrivals Jeff Samardzija and David Robertson, Quintana is a talented arm in his own right, posting a 3.32 ERA, 2.81 FIP, and 178 strikeouts in 2014. He finds himself going outside the top-15 rounds because he won only 9 games, much of which could adjust with an improved bullpen and lineup in 2015. Count on Quintana for 12 wins and 180 strikeouts this season, with the potential for more if the offense carries him to a few extra wins.