Dallas Keuchel: Top 3 Starting Pitcher in 2016?
By Bill Pivetz
The Houston Astros made the playoffs for the first time since joining the American League. The team had the lead in the AL West for most of the season, but were unable to hold it when the regular season ended. The Astros were able to win a Wild Card game against the New York Yankees, solely relying on the arm of Dallas Keuchel as they did all season. With another year under his belt, can Keuchel finish as a top-three starting pitcher in 2016?
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Dallas Keuchel’s first two seasons were mediocre at best. In 47 games, he had a 9-18 record with a 5.20 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 161 strikeouts and 91 walks. While he had a 5.15 ERA in 2013, he showed signs of improvement. He increased his K/9 and lowered his BB/9 and HR/9.
The 2014 season was the season fantasy owners were expecting. In 29 starts, he had a 12-9 record, 2.93 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 146 strikeouts and 48 walks. He also had five complete games, and one shutout. Yet, even with the great season, fantasy owners were still not high on Keuchel. He was the 54th starting pitcher drafted, falling to the 19th round in ESPN leagues, 189.4 ADP.
At the end of the 2015 season, Dallas Keuchel was the fifth-best starting pitcher on the Player Rater, finishing behind Jake Arrieta, Zack Greinke, Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer. He recorded 20 wins with a 2.48 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 216 strikeouts and 52 walks. He had three complete games, two of which were shutouts.
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Keuchel had 8.38 K/9, 1.98 BB/9 and 0.66 HR/9, which was good for 28th, 20th and 11th in the league among pitchers, respectively.
Without giving too much away, I have Dallas Keuchel as my No. 5 starting pitcher to start the season, behind the four I mentioned earlier. However, I feel like he could beat out Scherzer if the Washington Nationals offense struggles like they did last year and Grienke depending on what team he signs with in the offseason.
Dallas Keuchel has the talent to be a top-three starting pitcher for the next three years. He also pitches in a division where two of the teams finished in the bottom half in runs scored, RBI and batting average. With the numbers trending in the right direction, Keuchel is a favorite to win the AL Cy Young next season.
Projections: 19-8, 2.40 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 220 K, 52 BB, 234.1 IP
Draft: Round 3