Yu Darvish: Biggest Bargain Starting Pitcher for 2016

Yu Darvish missed all of 2015 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He should be back on the mound by June, making him a bargain pick in drafts.

The 2015 season was riddled with injuries. Broken bones, torn muscles, Tommy John surgeries. One of the earliest injuries in the season was to Texas Rangers ace pitcher Yu Darvish. He missed the whole season after making just one start in Spring Training. While he is still recovering, he is draftable in fantasy leagues. Darvish could be a sleeper pick in 2016. 

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Darvish made his MLB debut in 2012. He finished with a 16-9 record, 3.90 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 221 strikeouts. He was voted as an All Star, third in the Rookie of the Year and ninth in American League Cy Young voting. The following year, he made a lot of improvements. While his win total went down, he had a better ERA (2.83), WHIP (1.07), and K:BB ratio (3.46:1).

Yu Darvish’s 2014 season was cut short with an elbow injury. He made just 22 starts and finished with a 3.06 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. Many thought it was just fatigue and he would be ready for the 2015 season. This injury would be a sign of things to come for Darvish and the Rangers.

He made one spring start this year, and that would be the last we see of Yu Darvish in 2015. He experienced soreness in his right triceps, and an MRI revealed he had a torn UCL. He underwent Tommy John surgery on March 17.

Each pitcher recovers differently from this surgery. Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin had the surgery in March of 2014 and didn’t return until July 4 of this year. Miami Marlins pitcher had it in mid-May of 2014 and returned two days before Corbin. While there is no exact timetable for Darvish’s return, one can expect him to miss the first couple of months next season.

The early projections have him returning in late-April. However, I wouldn’t expect to see him until June. He would likely make a few rehab starts in the minor leagues before rejoining the Rangers rotation.  Luckily, the Rangers were able to acquire veteran Cole Hamels.

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The only reason I would draft Yu Darvish next season is because he is likely to return. If there was doubt in his 2016 season, I would leave him off of my roster. I have no idea on what kind of pitcher he’s going to be next season, but that’s why I would use a late-round pick on him. If you can get a half-season out of Darvish with a 20th-round pick, you’d do it in a heartbeat. If he struggles, just drop him and find the next Steven Matz.

Projections: 5-6, 3.40 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 175 strikeouts

Draft: Round 20