There are many different effective strategies when it comes to drafting starting pitchers. Some will hoard the top talents in the year after the year of the pitcher, while others will rely on weekly spot-starts. Both approaches work, but I have employed a much different scheme in recent seasons:
Ideally, you own just one or two reliable starters. They must maintain a consistently low ERA (preferably no higher than 3.50—3.75) and WHIP (Carl Pavano was a great example last year). Strikeouts aren't important...
Over the past few weeks, we’ve announced the top 70 players on our 2011 big board. Click on each player’s name for a more in-depth analysis, including 2011 projections!
After establishing himself as one of the game’s elite starters in recent years, Dan Haren posted sub-par totals in 2010. His ERA (3.91) was his worst since 2006, while his WHIP (1.27) was as high as it’s been in six years.
Further, Haren’s usually dominant repertoire was below average last season. Both his fastball and slider had negative value, while his cutter (17.6 runs above average, fourth best in 2009) checked in at just 0.5 runs above average. His splitter also dropped from 9.3 runs above average in 2009 to just 4.8 runs above average last season...
Game No. 24 on the Fantasy Baseball Insiders Tonight trail featured a four-hit, two-homer game from an unsuspecting second baseman, and a rough outing from a usually dominant starter.
Game No. 24 – Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Atlanta Braves
• Dan Haren was tagged for seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings Sunday, marking the fourth time he’s given up four runs or more in a start this season. After nine starts, the 29-year-old has an uncharacteristic 4.83 ERA and 1.37 WHIP...
In the coming weeks, I will attempt to create the most accurate 2010 big board available. This draft guide will be released 10 players at a time until my top 50 have been revealed.
These lists will take into account past, present and future values based on standard 5×5 H2H settings. As I introduce each player one-by-one, it’s my goal to reveal something you didn’t already know. Feel free to agree or disagree with my rankings, as I’m always up for a healthy debate.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
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