The List 7/31: Ranking The Top 100 Starting Pitchers Every Monday

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.

Let’s see how the SP landscape has changed:

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Notes

• Some major news this week, with DL stints from Stephen Strasburg, Lance McCullers, Robbie Ray and David Price. Both are expected to be in time for your playoffs, making their value a little different than your typical DL stints. Don’t treat their placements as strictly as others given the range of values given your league specifics.
• I was expecting to lower Yu Darvish before today, but now that he is heading to the Dodgers, I had some hesitation. He’s going from Arlington to Los Angeles (a major hitter’s park to a major pitcher’s park) to the NL without a DH and will have Yasmani Grandal catching – one of the best defensive catchers – after pitching to Lucroy – one of the worst. Still, he’s been poor lately and I had to give him a small drop regardless of the change of atmosphere.
• Luis Severino falls slightly only because there is increasing fear that he’ll be limited innings wise as the Yanks move toward a playoff hunt. There is no official word, but the risk is clearly there, making other less risky options jump ahead.
• The injury of Lance McCullers opens the door once again for Brad Peacock, who had been demoted to the bullpen. He’s around just a little bit longer and you can pick him back up once again. If he happens to survive through the end of the season in the rotation, he’d be close to #30 here – that’s the kind of production we’re talking about.
• Since the All-Star break, my biggest fears for Jacob Faria have sprouted, with multiple games of 4+ walks. He’s still an option you want to own, but if those walks are still around it could spell more trouble down the road. Let’s hope he rebounds and shaves them off in future starts.
• Kevin Gausman shoots up as he has been in a groove across his last five starts, throwing more Splitters and getting plenty of First-Pitch Strikes. It’s well within reason that it could fade in a moment, but for now he’s a decent add for a hurting staff.
• One of the losers in the Sonny Gray trade was Jordan Montgomery, who will in all likelihood be the one pushed out of the Yankee rotation. It’s been fun hanging with The Bear this season and I can’t wait to promote him through the off-season as a steal in your 17th round 2018 draft. He’s still here since it’s not entirely certain that he won’t return, but don’t be shocked if he’s gone next week.
• It’s hard to refuse German Marquez of a major boost considering the 28 Ks he’s produced in just three starts. I don’t expect it to stick, but I’d be surprised if you don’t want to roll with him at the very least against the Mets and play it from there.
• Around the 50s is where it becomes a free-for-all in terms of snagging upside, leading to Reynaldo Lopez finding himself inside the Top 70. There’s plenty of speculation that he’ll be called up in the next week or two, where he could be a benefit down the stretch. If you want an upside play and don’t need the help now, Lopez is your guy.
• Once again, I have no idea where to place Aaron Sanchez and Robbie Ray as their timetables are unknown. They shouldn’t be dropped in most scenarios, but they won’t be helping for a bit. Make the play that suits your team best.
• Steven Matz continues to fall as his mechanics are completely out of whack. It’s not out of the question he figures it out and gets into a groove, but it’s hard to invest in it right now. Not the worst flier if he has been dropped if you’re considering a final arm for a playoff run.
• Joining The List this week are Luke Weaver, Adam Conley, Jason Hammel, Collin McHugh, and Ariel Miranda. Weaver has earned a rotation spot as Adam Wainwright nurse a hamstring injury, Conley has been commanding his Fastball incredibly well to earn success following a minor league stint, Hammel has been boring but surprisingly productive over his last 11 starts, McHugh has returned from injury showcasing an effective Curveball, and Miranda squeaks back after fanning 10 batters.
• Leaving this week are Homer Bailey (ineffective), Brandon McCarthy (injured and rotation spot in question), Jake Odorizzi (injury), and Adam Wainwright (injury).