Fantasy baseball: 2020 Oakland Athletics fantasy preview

2020 Oakland Athletics projected starting rotation

Mike Fiers, RHP (15-4, 3.90 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 126 K in 184.2 IP)
Sean Manaea, LHP (4-0, 1.21 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 30 K in 29.2 IP)
Frankie Montas, RHP (9-2, 2.63 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 103 K in 96 IP)
Jesus Luzardo, LHP (0-0, 1.50 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 16 K in 12 IP)
A.J. Puk, LHP (2-0, 3.18 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 13 K in 11.1 IP)
Liam Hendriks, RHP (4-4, 1.80 ERA. 0.96 WHIP, 124 K in 85 IP, 25/32 saves)

Fiers isn’t going to put up the stellar W/L record that he did last year. He is a crafty innings-eater who is far more valuable in real life than on your fantasy team. He’s worthy of a spot starter, but I don’t know that he’s worth using a precious bench slot on.

Manaea had a strong 2018 before last year was derailed by injury. Manaea still put up strong numbers once he returned and will be the ace of this staff for fantasy purposes. He has the ability to put up big numbers. I’m a big fan of Manaea in the middle of my rotation.

There’s a lot to like about Frankie Montas. He’s the kind of guy that can put up the same numbers as he did last year in 12 starts this year. He’s definitely worth a spot in the middle of your fantasy rotation.

The future is now for the A’s. Luzardo and Puk were dominant out of the bullpen last year and dominated in the minors. Can they do it in the rotation? They both have big time strikeout ability. I like Luzardo more, but they are both strong prospect picks for the middle of your fantasy rotation.

Hendriks has great peripheral numbers on a team that should win plenty of games. He’s not in the elite closer tier, but he should be going higher than he is in most drafts.

Prospects to watch:

If Puk or Luzardo falter and the team doesn’t have faith in Chris Bassitt, Daulton Jefferies is next on deck. Like Puk and Luzardo, he has cruised through the low minors racking up strikeouts along the way. I wouldn’t hold him, but if he gets the call, he’s worth a look in most leagues.

Behind that is another equally talented pitcher in James Kaprielian. He is probably more ready for the rigors of the majors than Jefferies, but he doesn’t have quite as much strikeout upside.

There are 6 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!