Fantasy baseball: 2020 Tampa Bay Rays fantasy preview

2020 Tampa Bay Rays projected starting rotation

Charlie Morton, RHP (16-6, 3.05 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 240 K in 194.2 IP)
Blake Snell, LHP (6-8, 4.29 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 147 K in 107 IP)
Tyler Glasnow, RHP (6-1, 1.78 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 76 K in 60.2 IP)
Yonny Chirinos, RHP (9-5, 3.85 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 114 K in 133.1 IP)
Ryan Yarbrough, LHP (11-6, 4.18 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 117 K in 141.2 IP)
Jose Alvarado, LHP (1-6, 4.80 ERA, 1.87 WHIP, 39 K in 30 IP, 7/9 saves)

You can argue the merits of using an opener all you want, but it works for the Rays. Morton and Snell wont get that treatment and it seems as though Glasnow wont either. If you go any deeper in the rotation, wins could be harder to come by which limits the value. However, this is also a sneaky way to get around games started limits in leagues that have those.

Charlie Morton pulled a Jamie Moyer and had a career year at the age of 35. He set career highs in wins, ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, and innings pitched. While I expect another solid year from Morton, don’t pay for the ace stats he put up last year. A little bit of regression should be expected, especially in a condensed season.

Coming off a somewhat disappointing season and complaining about still playing for millions gives you a bad public image. Will Snell play? Maybe, but I’m not going to spend a high draft pick on him. Tyler Glasnow dominated in 12 starts last year and could put up similar numbers again this year. He’s cheaper than both Morton and Snell and may be my favorite pitcher on the entire staff.

Chirinos started about half of his appearances last year, so the days of him having an opener may be in the past as well. He’s still going to put up solid numbers. Solid enough to round out your rotation.

If the Rays end up going without Snell, then both Yarbrough and Jalen Beeks are solid options. They don’t rack up strikeouts, but they have solid peripheral numbers and don’t usually start games. That can be gold in H2H formats.

Alvarado is probably the closer on the shakiest ground to begin the season. Diego Castillo is capable of closing games, and knowing the Rays, everyone in the bullpen is a candidate to open games. That creates solid value for the bullpen as a whole, but the revolving door at closer is a nightmare in 5×5 leagues. Let someone else have this headache.

Prospects to watch:

Brent Honeywell hasn’t pitched since 2017 thanks to Tommy John Surgery and had another elbow procedure in 2019. Honeywell has great stuff and was regarded as the best prospect in a system loaded with them at one point. He’s worth stashing in dynasty leagues. In redrafts, wait until you see how the Rays are going to use him first. My guess is they’ll treat him like they did Glasnow in 2018. There’s still going to be solid value, but maybe not enough to warrant chewing up a bench slot.

There are 8 more of these where this came from! Sports may be on hold, but we will have baseball sometime this season. We here at FanSided Fantasy are going to make sure you’re prepared!