Is M’s rookie James Paxton for real? (Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports_
Welcome to “Off The Deep End”, where I will target players that will help you acquire the depth you need to stay competitive in, and maybe even win, your fantasy baseball league.
These pieces will focus mostly on fantasy baseball leagues that have large rosters or more than 12 teams. This is also geared towards custom or 10×10 roto and head-to-head leagues. The basic league 5×5 stuff you can find anywhere. This will help you dig a little deeper. I will highlight players that are less than 20 percent owned in ESPN leagues, but that can make a difference on your roster.
Friday’s column will deal with pitchers worth an add in deep leagues. Leagues that count holds or K/9 are fairly common, yet these two important categories are still often overlooked. I won’t be mentioning Jose Valverde or Tommy Hunter. That’s much too easy! Here we will be diving a little deeper into the well.
Starting Pitchers:
Nate Eovaldi, Marlins: Eovaldi had a nice first start against the Rockies, but is still owned in less than four percent of leagues. I know he is 9-21 in his career prior to his first start, but his ERA is not that bad (3.83 ). And he is still just 24 years old. The best is yet to come.
James Paxton, Mariners: I fail to see why Paxton is not more widely owned. I was high on him before his outstanding first start. He was dominant in his September call up last year, and he is showing no signs of slowing down. He is the second-best pitcher in Seattle right now, and that is saying a lot!
Mark Buehrle, Blue Jays: Buehrle struck out 11 batters, and nearly finished a complete game in his first start of the year. With the Astros up next for the veteran lefty, he is a good bet to pitch well there too. He is worth picking up for one start. After that, he gets the Orioles. There, use at your own risk.
Scott Kazmir, Athletics: In his first start, he showed why he was once the top prospect in the Mets’ system. With the Twins up next, he is a must-start. I love my team as much as anyone, but I realize it’s going to be another long year for us Twins fans.
Aaron Harang, Braves: Harang was nearly unhittable against the Brewers in his first start. Can he recapture the success of his glory days? I doubt it, but his next start is against the Mess…er…Mets. There are worse streaming options out there in deep leagues.
Tim Hudson, Giants: Huddy was nothing short of brilliant on Wednesday in his season debut, and with contests coming up against the same Diamondbacks and the Rockies, he has a favorable enough early schedule that he should be able to help your team. Who knows, you might even be getting in on the ground floor of a Hudson comeback!
He closed the game out for the Cubs on Thursday, and Pedro Strop could be in line for more saves in Chicago (Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
Relievers:
Luke Gregerson, Athletics: With Jim Johnson being given the dreaded “vote of confidence”, it is time to scour the A’s bullpen for next in line. The obvious choice is Gregerson, who was setup man extraordinaire to Heath Bell in San Diego. Johnson’s leash can’t be all that long, especially considering the way he has blown both of his save opportunities. Johnson has given up more runs than he has recorded outs.
Sean Doolittle, Athletics: If you play in a league that counts holds, you already know who he is, but he still has value outside of holds leagues. He strikes out over 10 batters per nine consistently. If he pitches five innings per week, he can add to your strikeout totals in a hurry without hurting your WHIP or ERA. His career WHIP is right at 1, and he has a career ERA a shade over 3. Aside from that, he could be in line for saves as well if Johnson is removed from the closer role.
Paco Rodriguez, Dodgers: He is a poor man’s Aroldis Chapman. This guy regularly throws 100 mph. It’s no surprise that he racks up a ton of strikeouts in the process. With Brian Wilson out of the Dodger ‘pen, Rodriguez is in line for an expanded role, meaning more strikeouts.
Evan Meek, Orioles: Will the “meek” inherit the closer role in Baltimore? It can’t be ruled out. It was Meek, not Darren O’Day, that came in for the hold the other night. It seems as though the Orioles are rewarding Meek’s stellar spring. At the very least Meek is the setup guy, making him a nice add in holds leagues. If Tommy Hunter has issues as the closer, it is not out of the realm of possibility that Meek could see some save opportunities.
J.J. Hoover, Reds: The Reds have not officially named a closer while Chapman is out, but to me, Hoover is the one with the most upside. Manny Parra may be given the first shot at the job, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Hoover came in and pitched in the ninth during a tie game on Wednesday, not Parra. That might hint that Hoover will be in line for some save chances.
Pedro Strop, Cubs: The Cubbies used Strop for the save yesterday afternoon after Jose Veras blew one on Wednesday night. This might signify a changing of the guard in Chicago. Or maybe it was just because Veras threw a whopping 38 pitches on Wednesday. Either way, it is worth jumping on Strop just in case.
Adam Ottavino, Rockies: While he won’t pitch late in games, there will be lots of middle relief work for Ottavino behind that rotation. He has struck out five batters in just two innings so far this year. It’s worth riding the hot hand until he cools off.
Josh Fields, Astros: Fields won the save lottery for the Astros on Wednesday. Considering he was the closer at the end of last year, I would think that this is his job until he does something to warrant losing it. He is only owned in just over one percent of leagues. He is worth taking a chance on if you need saves.
Will Smith, Brewers: With Tom Gorzelanny out for the year, Smith is the only lefty in the Brewer bullpen, and will get plenty of holds this year. The fact that he has averaged about eight strikeouts per 9 innings in his career is just icing on the cake.
Antonio Bastardo, Phillies: Jonathan Papelbon has been lit up early on. If it weren’t for his massive contract, I’m sure the Phils would have at least thought about giving Bastardo a shot at the role already. He may get his chance if Papelbon continues to struggle. Phillie fans are some of the most unforgiving in the game. These are the same people that threw D-cell batteries at J.D. Drew on his first visit after refusing to sign with the Phils. So much for “brotherly love”.
Brett Cecil, Blue Jays: Cecil could be in line for some saves, like he was yesterday, if there are multiple lefties due up in the ninth. The Jays don’t trust Sergio Santos quite enough yet, which could reap a few save rewards for Cecil owners.
Stay tuned for the next installment which will highlight which players you should be targeting in deep bench or dynasty leagues!
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