Tigers Justin Verlander: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander had a big bounce back season after a year of disappointment. Can we trust him one more time for the 2017 season?

The Detroit Tigers starting rotation was something fantasy owners wanted to stay away from for most of the season. Save for a couple of options, there was nothing worth owning. One option that surprised everyone was Justin Verlander. After the success he had this year, can he go to the well one more time for another good season?

I wrote about Verlander at the beginning of this season, highlighting the success he had at the end of the 2015 season. From August 9 to October 3, Justin Verlander had a 6-5 record, 2.12 ERA, 0.956 WHIP and 73 strikeouts. I predicted he would be a 15th round pick, ESPN ADP was 133.3 (14th round) with unfavorable stats. He blew my projections out of the water.

Verlander made 34 starts, the most since 2013. He finished with a 3.04 ERA, 1.001 WHIP, 10.0 K/9, 2.3 BB/9 and a 16-9 record. He was the No. 11 player overall on the Player Rater. After finishing at No. 211, that is a huge improvement. However, fantasy owners were still a little nervous after getting burned by him.

More from Fantasy Baseball

• 5 fantasy baseball waiver wire pivots to replace Triston McKenzie
• Fantasy baseball mock draft 2023, 12-team: Aaron Judge over Trea Turner?
• 3 fantasy baseball sleepers being drafted too late
• NBA DFS picks December 25: Merry Bucking Christmas
• Fantasy Baseball: Hot pitchers worthy of starting this weekend

This season got off on the wrong foot, but he settled down as the temperature started to rise. From July 2 to Oct. 2, 18 starts, 12 of his outings went at least seven innings.

With the lack of support from the other members of the rotation, the Tigers needed vintage Verlander to return.

He had the best ERA and WHIP among the six starters listed on the Tigers’ Baseball Reference page. Behind him was rookie Michael Fulmer.

Heading into next season, Verlander still holds a lot of fantasy value. I ranked him as a No. 3 starting pitcher last season. I was clearly wrong and will not make that mistake again. I think he is a sold No. 2 option in standard leagues.

Despite all the positives from Verlander this season, he is still a risk. He isn’t someone I would reach for within the first five or six rounds. Though, if he falls to be before Round 10, there is no doubt that I am drafting him.

Next: Is Trea Turner a First Round Pick?

Over 200 innings and strikeouts looks likely after what he did in 2016, but I would use caution as an injury is still possible.