Welcome back to “Off The Deep End”, where I will give you fantasy baseball tips on who to pick up in deeper leagues. For people who play standard leagues, drop/add columns are easy for you to find, but for those of you that love deeper leagues, advice can be harder to come by. That is where I can help. All of these players are available in 85% or more of ESPN leagues.
This section will focus on pitchers. The corner infielders are here. The middle infielders are here. The outfielders/catchers are here.
Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Gerardo Parra (8) put a bucket on starting pitcher Josh Collmenter (55) after beating the Cincinnati Reds 4-0 at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Starting Pitchers:
Josh Collmenter, Diamondbacks: Collementer tossed a gem in his last outing, pitching a three hit shutout against the Reds. He seems to be finding his groove after an up-and-down few weeks. That said, I would still bench him, even in deep leagues, against the Rockies tomorrow.
Roenis Elias, Mariners: How did Elias respond to his worst start of the year agianst the Angels last Tuesday? He shut out the mighty Tigers on just three hits on Sunday. While occasional meltdowns can be expected, Elias has always been consistent with the strikeouts. He has struck out five or more in all but one start this season. He is definitely worth starting Saturday at Tampa.
Matt Shoemaker, Angels: Yes, the Angels are skipping his next start. That does not mean that Shoemaker has been ineffective. He has allowed eight runs over 21.1. innings in his four starts. He might be worth a flier for those of you in deep leagues when he draws the White Sox on Saturday.
Miguel Gonzalez, Orioles: Gonzalez continued his strong May by turning in his third straight quality start against Houston on Friday. His start at Texas on Thursday seems a bit ominous, but Gonzalez has yet to give up more than three runs in any start this year. It’s hard to argue with results.
Tommy Milone, Athletics: Milone has been outstanding since being blasted by the Red Sox on May 3rd. He has given up just six runs in 32.1 innings since then. He should be safe to roll with against Baltimore on Friday.
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Pat Neshek throws against the Cincinnati Reds. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Relief Pitchers:
Tony Watson, Pirates: Watson has not allowed an earned run since April 22nd, a span of 16 innings. He has struck out 20 batters over that time as well. Watson now has a microscopic 1.04 ERA on the season with five wins and he leads the majors with 14 holds. If he is out there in your holds league, congratulations!
Aaron Loup, Blue Jays: Loup has not allowed a run in 13.1 innings since May 3rd. He doesn’t strike out batters as often as many relievers do, but he can certainly help your ERA. He is also good in holds leagues. He has 11 on the season.
Pat Neshek, Cardinals: Neshek has not allowed a run, earned or otherwise, since all the way back on April 9th. He has been nothing short of dominant since then. In 20.1 innings since then, he has allowed just six hits! He also has 23 strikeouts over that span while walking only one. His 0.73 ERA and 0.53 WHIP are valuable commodoties in any moderate or deep league.
Josh Fields, Astros: Chad Qualls is stil the closer in Houston until he gives them a reason to remove him. Former closer Josh Fields has been outstanding since he recall from exile at AAA on May 14th. He has allowed only two hits and two walks in 8.2 innings since then while striking out 13. He may be the closer again at some point, so you can stash him now and let him rack up the strikeouts in the meantime.
J.P. Howell, Dodgers: With Chris Withrow out for Tommy John Surgery, Howell should continue to pitch in more high pressure situations. Howell has not allowed a run since May 8th. He has ten strikeouts in eight innings since then and has allowed just two hits over that span.
Come back tomorrow for players you can drop!