What is happening!
Welcome to the SP Roundup, the morning article reviewing every starting pitcher performance from last night’s (or morning’s, I suppose) games.
I’ve missed writing this article. I love pitchers, I love talking about pitchers, and I definitely love being delirious and making horrible jokes while talking about pitchers. This article began in 2014 as my way of keeping a pulse on the SP landscape and it’s shaped me since on this long and wonderful ride.
It’s been a long off-season as we’ve researched and argued and ranked starters galore and finally we got a taste of real baseball for the first time of the year this morning. It’s a bit of tease and I’m not looking forward to the six empty days that will follow, but at least we get something.
Here’s what happened to the starters of Wednesday morning’s game.
Marco Gonzales – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1BBs, 4 Ks. I think we’ll see some helium in Gonzo’s stock after this QS given the spotlight on the game and…it’s a little justified? He had a rough third inning as his cutter and curveball were getting smacked around, but he settled down in his final three frames, especially with his curveball beneath the strike zone. There’s a lot of potential for Marco to be gold in a QS league and I’m not against going for him in 12-teamers as he can be slightly better than your average Toby, though I feel you’re better off using his spot in standard leagues for chasing those potential Top 30 SP arms. But yeah, you can do worse and don’t let the added exposure sway your emotions.
Mike Fiers – 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks. Hey, it’s the Fiers I expected to show up at the end of last year, really good to see you. Those in 12-teamers can stay far away and I kinda lean toward avoiding in 15-teamers as well. Maybe O.Co helps out as a flyball heavy arm for the occasional stream, but I wouldn’t be investing much beyond that. Nick, it’s the first article of the year, I NEED MORE. Then join our amazing Discord and voice chat with me and the community during tomorrow morning’s game. Boom, done.
(Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire)
Nick, when will the next top 100 be published? I’m at a loss with what to do with the Dodgers and Braves rotations!
Monday will the first of the regular weekly updated The List articles.
Can’t wait!
Hey Nick,
What are your thoughts on Dakota Hudson? Does he look legit to you? Thanks!
He’s not for me in 12-teamers as a sinker-baller who hasn’t had impressive strikeout rates through the minors and brief stint in the majors.
Stroman piquing your interest at all?
Not for me. Groundball heavy in Toronto without enough whiffs doesn’t spell breakout to me.
Nick. Would you trade Paddack and Woodruff for Carlos Martinez and Kyle Freeland. Or a one for one? Thx! 10 team Roto.
I’d trade Woodruff for Freeland, but not the other deal.