I realize that over the last couple of months I have largely neglected non-standard scoring leagues. I have covered 5×5 and points leagues, but not 10×10 leagues. So that is what we will cover for the next week. The players who have hidden value in 10×10 leagues because of doubles, triples, holds, etc. The things that don’t stand out in a standard league.
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The standard 10×10 categories are hits, runs, average, doubles, triples, home runs, RBI, walks, steals, and OPS. For pitchers it is wins, losses, ERA, WHIP, saves, holds, strikeouts, quality starts, K/9 and complete games.
We will go position by position and find the hidden gems in 10×10 leagues.
This piece will take a look at the starting pitchers.
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher David Price (14) pitches against the New York Yankees. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jesse Hahn, Padres: Yes, it’s a fairly small sample size, but Hahn has given up just one run and 13 hits in his last four starts spanning 24 innings He has also struck out a whopping 31 batters in that time. The absurd K/9 ratio is unlikely to continue at it’s current clip of above 11, but you might as well ride the hot streak in the hopes that it will continue.
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers: For everything he gives you in 5×5 leagues, he gives you even more in 10×10 formats. His 11.85 K/9 ratio is tops among starters. In his last nine starts, he has not struck out less than seven batters. His two complete games and ten wins are up among the top tier of pitchers even though he missed a month of the season. Whatever you pay for him, it might just be worth it…..
David Price, Rays: How long will Price be with the Rays? Unless you play in an AL only or NL only league, it doesn’t matter for fantasy purposes. I’m guessing that his 10.5 K/9 ratio will stay around that area. Price has proven to be a dominant second half pitcher over the last couple of years, so again, he might be worth whatever you pay for him.
Julio Teheran, Braves: Teheran likely is not one of the first names that you think of when ace pitchers are mentioned, but he is putting up numbers that are close to ace status. His 16 quality starts trail only Felix Hernandez. He also has two complete games, a WHIP that is under 1, and a K/9 ratio that is near eight. You could pick him up cheaper than most aces, but he is pitching like one right now.
Jeff Samardzija, Athletics: He has 12 quality starts, but just two wins. That will change now that he is no longer “supported” by the Cubs’ anemic offense. Expect the wins to come more frequently, and his peripherals to stay about the same. Switching to the AL may be a bit tougher, but I think that is counteracted by a stadium that is roughly twice the size of Wrigley Field. Try to pry him away from a disgruntled Cub fan, and reap the rewards of a new spacious ballpark and offense that will actually score runs for him.
Garrett Richards, Angels: His 13 quality starts and K/9 near nine give him plenty of value along with his nice ERA and WHIP. He has allowed just 77 hits in 109 innings pitched. If he could keep the walks down, he might be leading the league in WHIP!
Come back tomorrow for the relievers!