Astros Francis Martes offers plenty of fantasy intrigue
By Brad Kelly
Francis Martes was solid in his first start for the Astros this season. But, does he offer enough fantasy intrigue to be a waiver wire add?
The Houston Astros are off to a great start this season thanks to their plethora of offensive talent, a solid bullpen and a rotation headlined by aces Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers Jr. But, now that both Keuchel and McCullers are on the shelf, the Astros all of a sudden lack the frontline pitching that buoyed their success.
Enter in, Francis Martes.
Martes is currently the youngest player in the AL, but the highly touted fireballer carries a top-20 prospect ranking across most lists. The Dominican righty has the pure arsenal to dominate and has shown throughout most of his minor league career what the future may hold.
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Armed with a tantalizing arsenal, mid-90s mph fastball that can touch 100 mph and a wipeout curveball, Martes has never lacked the stuff to get batters out with ease. His only issue in the minors was command and the refinement of a third pitch, most notably his changeup. The Astros were forced to turn to Martes a littler earlier than they had hoped for after the bevy of injuries the team had to their staff.
He was not exactly lighting it up in AAA, 5.29 ERA/38 K/28 BB over eight starts. Yet, he got the call a week ago with the hope that he could provide some innings out of the bullpen. Yet, was thrust into the rotation after McCullers injury, meaning he would make his first major league start versus a solid Rangers lineup.
Martes already made his debut this season out of the bullpen against the Angels. He pitched four innings and struck out two, but did give up four runs on four hits and two walks. The stuff was there, as was the iffy command, but he did flash nonetheless.
His start versus the Rangers is what should continue to draw fantasy owners’ attention. He cruised through the first four innings but did run into a bases loaded and no outs jam in the fifth. The 21-year-old managed to retire the next three batters in order without surrendering a run and ended his start with a win, seven strikeouts and walked two. An impressive escape considering just how anxious he was during his debut days ago.
After seeming to settle in during his second start, his fantasy value is starting to rise. The Astros’ biggest weakness as a ball club is their starting pitching behind the injured Keuchel and McCullers. Martes easily has the best pure stuff of anyone that the Astros could look to internally to stick in the rotation and provide quality innings.
Even though he is young and still needs to develop, the strikeout stuff is already there and he could be a great waiver wire as he continues to get more comfortable after each start. The command issues will pop up still, he tends to overthrow at times, but with his blazing fastball and wipeout breaking ball, he is just too hard to pass up.
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His next start comes against the Athletics in Oakland, serving as another great matchup for him to continue his success. Give him a closer look off the waiver wire.