Every Monday during the season, I will be releasing “The List” where I rank the current value of the Top 100 pitchers in fantasy baseball for the rest of the season. Use these rankings to help understand what to expect from pitchers for 2017 and as a tool to gauge trade value in your fantasy leagues. Note: These rankings have been made with H2H 5×5 12-teamers in mind.
Let’s see how the SP landscape has changed:
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Notes
- Masahiro Tanaka, Cole Hamels, Rick Porcello, and Kenta Maeda were supposed to be stable floor arms, but have been nothing of the sort lately, causing drops for all of them.
- It’s been a hot start for Dallas Keuchel, and while I have my reservations, it’s hard to not favor him over the options in the 30s
- Injuries have really hit the MLB lately, with J.A. Happ, Aaron Sanchez, Rich Hill, Brandon Finnegan, Jon Gray, Jake Odorizzi, and Garrett Richards all taking heavy hits.
- With a pair of weeks under our belt, a few tiers are making themselves apparent. There’s a drop off after Masahiro Tanaka that lasts all the way to near John Lackey, which could be argued to go a little further to Tanner Roark. Then we have a pair of DL groups that bookmark tiers of questionable upside that should come short leashes.
- While I don’t think Ervin Santana will keep up his studly numbers as he faces tougher opponents, it’s hard to not ride him at this point above other options in the 50s.
- Drew Pomeranz looks comfortable as the #4 starter in Boston and while his walk issues will prevent him from entering Top 40 territory, he’s a dependable option for strikeouts with less risk of horrendous ratios like other strikeout producers behind him.
- After his explosion that last two starts, I had to give Michael Pineda a sizable bump. Still, I don’t think he’ll show the consistency to continue a rise in the rankings.
- I’m finding myself taking the chance on Zack Wheeler figuring it out sooner rather than later and I think I was a bit too harsh on him last week. His upside pulls him up higher, especially when he gets the NL Easy.
- Francisco Liriano showed up in a big way and it’s completely reasonable he produces well for your team if you pick your spots. Hard to say that about many
- A few names join this week, including CC Sabathia, Charlie Morton, Jordan Montgomery, Wily Peralta, and Hyun-Jin Ryu. Sabathia has continued inducing weak contact, Morton is an intriguing upside play until his inevitable injury, Montgomery could provide value in the short term, Peralta has been a solid stretch ranging from last season, and Ryu can be productive as he gets time on the hill.
Would you drop Daniel Norris, Gsellman, or Ervin Santana for Sonny Gray? Also someone offered me Cole Hamels for James Paxton. Do i take that trade?
Based on the rankings being expected rest of year performance, then no to both questions.
Just to clarify this, these rankings are essentially if I’m having my draft today.
There are guys that I expect to have a better ROS by ESPN’s Player Rater metric but are farther down simply because I’d rather take the risk in another arm in a 12-teamer.
I hope that makes sense!
I wouldn’t make either of those moves.
Lineup locks in less than an hour. Can i get 2? Manea v Seat, Wacha v Pit, Davies v StL, Vargas v SF, Gsellman v Phi and Nola @ NYM? Thanks
Nola and Manaea.
Why so low in Cobb? He’s looked pretty good except for last night when he clearly didn’t have his stuff. Also can you give some thoughts on Joe Ross? Thanks
Back-to-Back 4 ER outings (albeit one with Boston), especially one without a single strikeout, makes it tough for me to endorse right now.
I’m with you, I think there’s potential here, but I’m not going to suggest chasing it until he clicks. And that might be some time.
With Ross, I don’t love him but he’s a solid upside option among a sea of questionable arms. I’m all for owning him in 12 teamers and I’d be cautious starting him for his first start in a roto league.
Points H2H Nicky….2 start Wheeler v Phil & Wash or Harvey v Wash, or Vargas v SF? Thanks again!
Points league, I’d go for two starts with Wheeler.
I’ve been using Triggs in one of my RP spots which has come in handy since I punted saves. With his hot start would you try and move him for a SP that has had a couple bad stat line starts like his teammate Cotton who’s getting Ks or wait and see? Followed your draft strategy and landed me Verlander, Carrasco, Paxton, Taillon, Norris & Folty/Andriese as reserves so have a little flexibility to wait. Thanks.
I would definitely move Triggs for Cotton.
Yo Nick! Waiting for Tillman to actually make it back before he cracks the top-100? I see Ross in the 90s, figured that the Tillster would be similarly ranked.
Ross has a much bigger impact than Tillman and when healthy I had Tillman in the 70s. I see them pretty far apart.
But yeah, Tillman shouldn’t be stashed in the time being, meaning he’s off The List til then.
Love the lists as always. Last pitcher in a 5×5 is currently Cotton, but I could drop him for Norris. I know you have Cotton higher but who do you think has more upside? I fear if Norris deals versus TB someone else will snag him. Thank you!