Fantasy baseball 2018: 3 starting pitchers to target late

There are so many starting pitchers available, but which ones are worth the investment of a late-round pick?

Whether you play in a standard mixed-league, deeper format or AL/NL-only league, you will need to look toward the bottom of the draft board to target late-round starting pitchers. These players could be the difference-makers between winning or losing your league.

We have identified three starting pitchers that are available in the late rounds (after pick 300), who could return excellent value for their draft position.

Marco Estrada (ADP 355)

We wrote an article saying that only the brave or the foolish should draft Marco Estrada. His ADP has dropped so far that you don’t have to be either, you simply have to be looking to draft a starter with upside and an ADP later than 350.

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The Mexican started 2017 with an impressive stretch of 3.30 ERA over 10 starts with 10.05 SO/9, including a 12-strikeout, one-run win over the Orioles in May.

He then endured a horrendous three-month stretch, putting up the worst numbers of his career. He put the performances down to sleep-deprived stress, although many within the baseball world suggest it was the expected result of a pitcher who has always outperformed his FIP.

If you buy into Estrada’s explanation and if you also expect an improvement in his changeup, then the 34-year-old offers significant profit potential for his draft position.

Miles Mikolas (ADP 354)

If you are shooting for upside with a late round pick, then Miles Mikolas needs consideration. The 29-year-old is back stateside after three very successful seasons in Japan. Over 62 starts, he recorded 2.59 ERA with a WHIP below 1.00 and a strikeout rate of 8.00 SO/9.

It is difficult to know exactly how his talents will translate back in the majors. But, if you consider the that he was pitching in a level similar to Triple-A, the right-hander looks to offer as much potential as any other starter in this part of the draft.

Mikolas will slot into the back of the Cardinals rotation and offers the potential of 200 innings with sub-4.00 ERA, which, with a pick of 350, will be useful in any format of the game.

Mike Minor (ADP 381)

The starter-turned-reliever wants to be a starter again, and the Rangers look set to give the 30-year-old a shot at cracking the rotation. To be honest, there is not much competition when you have Matt Bush, Bartolo Colon and Doug Fister fighting over two spots.  Although the latest news from Rangers’ camp is that they might start the season with a six-man rotation.

Mike Minor had an excellent season from the bullpen last year with 2.55 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and a strikeout rate of 10.2 SO/9. He used a deadly slider and a mid-90s fastball in relief, but he could resurrect the curve and changeup that he discarded after leaving the rotation for the first time.

The left-hander has the talent to be a difference maker, although expect his outings to be kept short and his overall workload limited.

Next: The key to winning your league - wait on outfield

Every year there are fantastic starting pitcher bargains to be had late in the draft. Diamondbacks’ Zack Godley, Reds’ Luis Castillo and the Dodgers’ Alex Wood were all late round picks in 2017 but will be among the first 25-30 pitchers taken his year.

You can get innings-eaters like Dan Straily or potential Rookie of the Year candidates like Michael Kopech in the late rounds. I like the breakout potential of former top prospect Tyler Glasnow. He looked good registering triple-digits in Spring Training.

Either way, there are players worth stashing in hopes of a breakout season.