Astros Lance McCullers: High risk/high reward pick

Astros’ starting pitcher Lance McCullers plans to work on two pitches in Spring Training which could push him into fantasy stardom.

In a list of the best pitches in the game, the curveball thrown by Lance McCullers would be near the top. It is a joy to watch.

At 47%, he throws the curve more than anyone else. In fact, way more than anyone else. Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg has an effective curveball but only throws it 27% of the time. McCullers memorably threw 24 consecutive curveballs to demolish the Yankees in the ALCS.

As reported by the Houston Chronicle’s Jake Kaplan, McCullers plans to develop his changeup, a pitch which deserted him when he returned from the DL last season. He also intends to work with Justin Verlander to improve his four-seam fastball. Improvements to both pitches have the potential to make McCullers even more of a must-own fantasy starter.

With an ADP as the 37th starting pitcher, the former first-rounder from the 2012 draft, entered last season as a popular sleeper pick in fantasy. He made everyone on the McCullers bandwagon look like a genius when he posted a 2.58 ERA in his first 13 starts. Using xFIP to filter out overachievers like Jason Vargas and Ervin Santana, McCullers was second behind Red Sox’ Chris Sale.

More from FanSided

• Cardinals Rumors: Surprise extension, Dylan Carlson-Yankees link, Rays trade idea
• USWNT vs. Vietnam: Key takeaways before they take on the Dutch
• NFL rumors: 49ers trending toward contract drama with defensive star
• Steelers avoid any camp drama with latest roster move
• MLB Rumors: Potential Braves reunion, Lance Lynn no-trade clause and Orioles deadline intentions

He racked up strikeouts at a rate of 29%, and when batters hit the ball, McCullers induced ground balls 63% of the time. An elite rate.

McCullers hit the DL twice and never looked the same, posting 7.29 ERA as he struggled with a back strain.

He finished just inside the top-100 pitchers in both roto and points leagues. A disappointing finish to an exciting start.

For the second straight season, McCullers’ season was curtailed by injury. The right-hander was restricted to 118⅔ innings, and it is this lack of innings that stops McCullers from securing a position in the top-20 maybe even top-10 starting pitchers. Currently, he is ranked 34th by ESPN.

In their high profile trade with the Pirates, the World Series Champions added Gerrit Cole to the rotation, which already included Dallas Keuchel, Justin Verlander and Charlie Morton. McCullers is relegated to the role of the fifth starter.

Keuchel and Morton are both injury-risks, and Verlander turns 35 shortly, so there will be plenty of starts available for the pitcher that stays healthy.

After two injury-hindered seasons, the Astros will want to protect the youngest, least-experienced member of their rotation. He is only 24-years-old with a career-high of 157 innings (split between MLB and Double-A in 2015). Despite their desire to limit his innings, the Astros’ pursuit of a second straight World Series Championship could take precedence.

After his postseason exploits, everyone knows about McCullers. He will have an inflated ADP in drafts, meaning it will be difficult to get value from his draft position. He is a high-risk pick considering the likelihood of him failing to reach 150 innings.

Next: Multi-position-eligible hitters to target

McCullers has the arsenal to be one of the best pitchers in the game. With the potential for even more improvements, all he needs to do is add 200-inning durability to be a fantasy superstar. The rewards are great.