Fantasy Baseball 2019: 5 Late-Draft Starting Pitchers

If you are looking for starting pitchers outside of the fantasy baseball top 200 overall, here are five to choose from late in the draft.

Unlike hitters, the starting pitching pool drops off after a certain point. There are the top 10 that you’re okay with being your ace. Then a large group of second-tier options and then those you fill out your rotation with. This makes drafting starting pitching for your fantasy baseball team a bit more difficult.

There are a few young pitchers worth taking a risk on, but the key word is risk. They have upside because they are new to the league and opposing batters haven’t seen their stuff. But, with a new league comes growing pains. I don’t mind drafting one or two rookies in keeper leagues because if they pay off, that’s one less pitcher you have to worry about drafting.

Pitchers as a whole are not as consistent as hitters. Granted, you know pretty much know what you’re getting from guys like Max Scherzer or Jacob deGrom but they can even have a bad start or two throughout the season.

When the average start went 6.23 innings last season, every pitch counts. If you’re looking for a pitcher late in your draft that could provide some value to your team, take a look at one of these five pitchers.

Like my hitters post, I used FantasyPros for the ADPs. Because of how shallow pitching is, I moved the threshold of ADP to 200.0.

Kevin Gausman, ADP 209.6

Gausman was decent during his time with the Baltimore Orioles, averaging a 4.22 ERA and 1.350 WHIP. He was then traded to the Atlanta Braves last season. In that half-season, Gausman posted a 2.87 ERA, 1.140 WHIP and 44 strikeouts in 59.2 innings.

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Moving out of the AL to the NL will help Gausman’s value. Though, the revamped Phillies and Mets along with the Nationals could cause some problems. He is my SP59 and is going really late for what he can provide.

Steven Matz, ADP 264.5

Staying in the NL East, Matz bounced back last season. He made 30 starts and recorded a 3.97 ERA, 1.247 WHIP, 152 strikeouts and a 5-11 record. The win-loss record should be thrown out as the Mets offense is better entering 2019 and he could reach double-digit wins.

While a nine percent walk rate and needing 30 starts to reach 150 innings isn’t something you want on your team, Matz had a lower contact rate and an increase to his swinging strike rate. He’s going to need all the swings-and-misses he can get this season. A low-4.00 ERA is still below league average.

Luke Weaver, ADP 329.3

Moving to the NL West could be what Weaver needs to bounce back from his 2018 season. His core ratios ballooned due to the regression in his batted ball profile. He will make half of his starts at the pitcher-friendly Chase Field, which should help him get back to his 2017 self.

The Dodgers, Rockies and Padres offenses could cause trouble but Chase Field stifles power now with the humidor installed. He’s guaranteed a rotation spot and should reach at least 140.0 innings as the Diamondbacks No. 4 starter.

Clay Buchholz, ADP 384.0

Buchholz had a good season albeit just making 16 starts with the Diamondbacks. He posted a 2.01 ERA, 1.037 WHIP, 81 strikeouts and a 7-2 record. The 34-year-old pitcher will go back to the AL East as he joins the Blue Jays.

He posted a 42.6 percent ground ball rate, 36.5 percent fly ball rate and a 8.7 percent HR/FB rate. Though, those numbers were better at home than on the road. Facing the Red Sox and Yankees will result in a 4.50 ERA but will have 85 strikeouts and a 1.35 WHIP.

Wade LeBlanc, ADP 508.3

LeBlanc posted a 3.72 ERA, 1.179 WHIP and 130 strikeouts over 32 games. Pitching in the AL West will help a pitcher’s performance. With Texas rebuilding and the Angels and A’s bottom of the lineup not threatening, LeBlanc should have another good season.

His batted ball numbers have been up and down throughout his career. Though, the 51.1 percent medium hit rate is a good sign. Soft hit balls could be beat, hard hits can whiz by an infielder. The medium ones are what help pitchers. A 4.35 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 115 strikeouts with another eight wins is a good line for someone drafted this late.

Next. Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft – 2019 Pre-season Breakdown. dark

There are plenty of talented starting pitchers available this late in drafts. It’s all about finding the ones with breakout potential and knowing what your team needs are. There are pitchers that will help with strikeouts and others that will help your ratios. I will be doing a list for relief pitchers next.

Good luck drafting!

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