Braves Luiz Gohara: Fantasy baseball 2018 deep sleeper

The Braves have a young pitcher on the rise in Luiz Gohara. Despite the stats, he has the “stuff” that could make him a 2018 fantasy sleeper.

The Atlanta Braves are clearly rebuilding for the future. Even so, the team has some solid fantasy options. One of those players you might not have heard of, but you soon will. If you are looking for a deep sleeper starting pitcher next year, look no further than Luiz Gohara.

My colleague Brad Kelly wrote about Gohara as a late-season waiver add for the final week of the season. Looking at his minor-league numbers, there’s no question why. He’s got what people call “the stuff.”

Gohara checks in at 6-foot-3 with a firearm. He even touched 100 MPH with his fastball. His fastball averaged 97.0 MPH during the 2017 season. With a good mix of a changeup and slider as well, it’s no surprise he had a 9.5 K/9 and a 2.5 BB/9 in 29.1 MLB innings.

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After adjusting to the game for his first three seasons, Gohara posted great numbers in 2016. Between Low-A and Single-A, he posted a 2.20 ERA, 1.148 ERA and 7-2 record in 13 starts. Gohara struck out 81 and gave up 23 walks in 69.2 innings

He was then promoted to Double-A and, again, pitched well. In 52.0 innings, Gohara threw a 2.60 ERA, 1.154 WHIP and 2-1 records. He also had a 10.4 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9. As he went up the farm system, so did his numbers.

Gohara posted a 3.31 ERA and 1.330 WHIP in seven Triple-A starts. His walk rate also went up to 4.1. Allowing 16 walks in 35.1 innings wasn’t going to do him any favors. It got worse in the majors.

In five starts, Gohara had a 4.91 ERA and 1.364 WHIP. He didn’t allow that many hits, 32, but with the low innings total, that inflates the WHIP. Gohara also saw a big rise in his fly ball rate in Atlanta compared to his time in the minors, 43.9 percent to averages between the high 20s and low 30s.

He did induce a lot of first-pitch strikes, 61.8 percent to be exact. He also had a 13.4 swinging strike rate. That would have put him 29th and seventh among all qualified pitchers, respectively.

Gohara is currently listed as the Braves No. 4 starting pitcher. With about 28 or so projected starts, I think he can post a sub-4.00 ERA, sub-1.300 WHIP and 150 strikeouts. That makes him a solid No. 5 starter for your fantasy team.

In standard re-draft leagues, Gohara is a perfect late-round flyer. He is a hard thrower but is still a little erratic on the mound. If you are looking for strikeouts, he is your guy. Just keep in mind that your ratio stats could go up.