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Category Power Rankings: Introduction/Week 1

Colin Ward gives his power rankings for each fantasy-relevant category

It’s time, once again, for your season debut of Category Power Rankings!

For those who are unfamiliar, I started this weekly piece at the beginning of the 2019 season in order to help simplify individual fantasy values for managers during the grind that is the fantasy baseball season.

At the beginning of each fantasy week, I will be ranking players using the standard 5×5 categories (AVG, R, HR, RBI, SB and W, SV, K, ERA, WHIP) as well as on-base percentage (OBP) and quality starts (QS). For each category, I will provide a top 25 overall and a top 10 for players who are widely unowned, roughly 65% owned or less, or should be targeted in deeper leagues. The rankings will be based on current and rest-of-season outlook and will take into account a player’s recent success as well as track record as it pertains to a specific category. With 2020 turning into a severely abbreviated season, this will adjust this seasons’ rankings accordingly. Other factors will include:

  • Recent changes to a team construction (i.e. lineup changes, trade/signing, etc.)
  • Recent changes to player batting/pitching profile
  • Injury concern
  • “Change of scenery”
  • Strength/weakness of schedule

That being said, let’s get into the lists!

Batting Average (AVG)

 

Top 25

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 DJ LeMahieu NYY 1B/2B/3B
2 Jeff McNeil NYM 2B/3B/OF
3 Michael Brantley HOU OF
4 Christian Yelich MIL OF
5 Anthony Rendon LAA 3B
6 Nolan Arenado COL 3B
7 Charlie Blackmon COL OF
8 J.D. Martinez BOS OF
9 Freddie Freeman ATL 1B
10 Mike Trout LAA OF
11 Rafael Devers BOS 3B
12 Xander Bogaerts BOS SS
13 Jose Altuve HOU 2B
14 Ketel Marte ARZ 2B/SS/OF
15 Cody Bellinger LAD 1B/OF
16 Bryan Reynolds PIT OF
17 Justin Turner LAD 3B
18 Trea Turner WSH SS
19 Jorge Polanco MIN SS
20 Mookie Betts LAD OF
21 Tim Anderson CHW SS
22 Whit Merrifield KC 2B/OF
23 Juan Soto WSH OF
24 Nelson Cruz MIN UT
25 Alex Bregman HOU 3B/SS

 

Off the list: N/A

With the season shortened to only 60 games, I was really tempted to put Cody Bellinger inside the top ten here. I went the conservative approach; at least for the first week. Through his first 60 games of 2019, the 25-year old was raking to a .370 clip. He clearly made the adjustments necessary to make him one of the most feared all-around hitters in baseball, and when he is hot, he can carry your team on his back. Here’s to hoping this is the Belli we will be watching for a very long time.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Luis Arraez MIN 2B/3B/OF
2 Miguel Andujar NYY 3B/UT
3 Daniel Murphy COL 1B
4 Nick Madrigal CHW 2B/SS
5 Hanser Alberto BAL 2B/3B
6 David Fletcher LAA 2B/3B/SS/OF
7 Corey Dickerson MIA OF
8 Howie Kendrick WSH 1B/2B/3B
9 Kolten Wong STL 2B
10 Shogo Akiyama CIN OF

 

Off the list: N/A

Making the transition from Japan to the States isn’t always an easy one. Even in a super crowded Cincinnati outfield, Shogo Akiyama is going to get every opportunity to succeed in the Reds’ lineup. During his nine seasons overseas, Akiyama posted a .304 average including three campaigns of hitting over .320. While that doesn’t always translate to success in the Major Leagues, hitting in a stacked lineup and a superior hitters park will certainly help.

 

Runs (R)

 

Top 25

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Mookie Betts LAD OF
2 Ronald Acuna Jr. ATL OF
3 Mike Trout LAA OF
4 Cody Bellinger LAD 1B/OF
5 Rafael Devers BOS 3B
6 Charlie Blackmon COL OF
7 Freddie Freeman ATL 1B
8 Anthony Rendon LAA 3B
9 Alex Bregman HOU 3B/SS
10 Christian Yelich MIL OF
11 DJ LeMahieu NYY 1B/2B/3B
12 Kris Bryant CHC 3B/OF
13 Trevor Story COL SS
14 Marcus Semien OAK SS
15 George Springer HOU OF
16 Francisco Lindor CLE SS
17 Nolan Arenado COL 3B
18 J.D. Martinez BOS OF
19 Jose Altuve HOU 2B
20 Xander Bogaerts BOS SS
21 Carlos Santana CLE 1B
22 Whit Merrifield KC 2B/OF
23 Ketel Marte ARZ 2B/SS/OF
24 Juan Soto WSH OF
25 Bryce Harper PHI OF

 

Off the list: N/A

It may have taken a number of years, but Marcus Semien turned into a well-rounded fantasy stud in 2019. His walk rate spiked to over 11% which attributed to his career-high 123 runs scored a year ago. If the Athletics can get a bounce back from the likes of Khris Davis, Semien could easily replicate that pace again this year.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Shin-Soo Choo TEX OF
2 Cesar Hernandez CLE 2B
3 Mark Canha OAK 1B/OF
4 Brett Gardner NYY OF
5 Joc Pederson LAD 1B/OF
6 Joey Votto CIN 1B
7 Shogo Akiyama CIN OF
8 Kole Calhoun ARZ OF
9 Yoshi Tsutsugo TB 3B/OF
10 Miguel Andujar NYY 3B/UT

 

Off the list: N/A

Set to lead off in front of the likes of Jose Ramirez, Francisco Lindor, and Carlos Santana, Cesar Hernandez could be in line for a very nice season. Hernandez has always done a nice job of getting on base and has had success when made a focal point of his lineup. I could see Hernandez eclipsing 50 runs across this shortened season.

 

Home Runs (HR)

 

Top 25

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Mike Trout LAA OF
2 Pete Alonso NYM 1B
3 Christian Yelich MIL OF
4 Cody Bellinger LAD 1B/OF
5 Nolan Arenado COL 3B
6 Jorge Soler KC OF
7 Nelson Cruz MIN UT
8 Joey Gallo TEX OF
9 Aaron Judge NYY OF
10 J.D. Martinez BOS OF
11 Matt Olson OAK 1B
12 Ronald Acuna Jr. ATL OF
13 Giancarlo Stanton NYY OF
14 Freddie Freeman ATL 1B
15 Matt Chapman OAK 3B
16 Eugenio Suarez CIN 3B
17 Mike Moustakas CIN 2B/3B
18 Trevor Story COL SS
19 George Springer HOU OF
20 Gary Sanchez NYY C
21 Yordan Alvarez HOU OF
22 Josh Donaldson MIN 3B
23 Franmil Reyes CLE OF
24 Juan Soto WSH OF
25 Bryce Harper PHI OF

 

Off the list: N/A

I am not sure if there is a single player that benefits more from a shortened season than Giancarlo Stanton. The man is coming off of an injury-riddled 2019 and despite all of his shortcomings, he still barreled up the ball pretty well in his small sample of 72 PA’s. Heading into 2020 (presumably) healthy, Stanton should be able to handle the small workload of 50+games, and if that is the case, expect him to be a force once again in the middle of that Yankees lineup.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Hunter Renfroe TB OF
2 Joc Pederson LAD 1B/OF
3 Willie Calhoun TEX OF
4 Mark Canha OAK 1B/OF
5 Renato Nunez BAL 1B/3B
6 Michael Chavis BOS 1B/2B
7 C.J. Cron DET 1B
8 Randal Grichuk TOR OF
9 Sam Hilliard COL OF
10 Austin Riley ATL OF

 

Off the list: N/A

The Colorado Rockies having a designated hitter is an exciting thought for fantasy owners. They have a plethora of hitters and having that extra spot will allow guys like Sam Hilliard more at-bats, which can only be a good thing. Hilliard is coming off a monster 35 home run season in Triple-A and has shown consistent power all throughout his time on the farm. If he can earn everyday playing time, he could be a league winner.

 

Runs Batted In (RBI)

 

Top 25

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Nolan Arenado COL 3B
2 Anthony Rendon LAA 3B
3 Cody Bellinger LAD 1B/OF
4 Freddie Freeman ATL 1B
5 J.D. Martinez BOS OF
6 Mike Trout LAA OF
7 Pete Alonso NYM 1B
8 Nelson Cruz MIN UT
9 Christian Yelich MIL OF
10 Xander Bogaerts BOS SS
11 Bryce Harper PHI OF
12 Jose Abreu CHW 1B
13 Juan Soto WSH OF
14 Alex Bregman HOU 3B/SS
15 Josh Bell PIT 1B
16 Ronald Acuna Jr. ATL OF
17 Eugenio Suarez CIN 3B
18 Trevor Story COL SS
19 Yordan Alvarez HOU OF
20 Jorge Soler KC OF
21 Rafael Devers BOS 3B
22 Jorge Soler KC OF
23 Gleyber Torres NYY SS
24 Paul Goldschmidt STL 1B
25 Joey Gallo TEX OF

 

Off the list: N/A

Yordan Alvarez’s status for Opening Day is still in question, therefore he finds himself conservatively placed on a couple of these lists. If I knew he would be ready to go by game number one, he would ultimately be a top ten option in both HRs and RBI.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Eric Hosmer SD 1B
2 David Peralta ARZ OF
3 Renato Nunez BAL 1B/3B
4 Nomar Mazara CHW OF
5 C.J. Cron DET 1B
6 Hunter Renfroe TB OF
7 Miguel Andujar NYY 3B/UT
8 Kyle Seager SEA 3B
9 Yoenis Cespedes NYM OF
10 Yoshi Tsutsugo TB 3B/OF

 

Off the list: N/A

Can you believe it? Yoenis Cespedes is on track to be healthy and ready to go come Opening Day! After what feels like a decade since we last saw him on a Major League diamond, Cespedes has finally healed up and should see regular run in the Mets’ lineup this year. With the added DH, Cespedes also has a shot at remaining healthy for the shortened season and as long as he can still swing the stick, he should produce for what will be a very solid New York lineup.

 

Stolen Bases (SB)

 

Top 25

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Adalberto Mondesi KC 2B/SS
2 Trea Turner WSH SS
3 Mallex Smith SEA OF
4 Ronald Acuna Jr. ATL OF
5 Jonathan Villar MIA 2B/SS
6 Victor Robles WSH OF
7 Starling Marte ARZ OF
8 Whit Merrifield KC 2B/OF
9 Dee Gordon SEA 2B
10 Fernando Tatis Jr. SD SS
11 Jose Ramirez CLE 3B
12 Garrett Hampson COL 2B/SS/OF
13 Billy Hamilton SF OF
14 Christian Yelich MIL OF
15 Elvis Andrus TEX SS
16 Luis Robert CHW OF
17 Tim Anderson CHW SS
18 Mookie Betts LAD OF
19 Jon Berti MIA 3B/SS/OF
20 Francisco Lindor CLE SS
21 Tommy Edman STL 2B/3B/OF
22 Byron Buxton MIN OF
23 Lorenzo Cain MIL OF
24 Jarrod Dyson PIT OF
25 Trevor Story COL SS

 

Off the list: N/A

It is unfortunate that we will have to wait yet another year to see what the exciting Fernando Tatis Jr. can do across a full campaign. He is a special talent that will likely be atop draft boards for many years to come because of his power and speed combo. Expect the Padres to let Tatis run wild in this shortened season as they look to sneak into a Wild Card spot.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Dee Gordon SEA 2B
2 Billy Hamilton SF OF
3 Jon Berti MIA 3B/SS/OF
4 Jarrod Dyson PIT OF
5 Nick Madrigal CHW 2B/SS
6 Manuel Margot TB OF
7 Kevin Kiermaier TB OF
8 Nick Senzel CIN OF
9 Trent Grisham SD OF
10 Wil Myers SD 1B/OF

 

Off the list: N/A

The guy to watch here is going to be Nick Madrigal. As soon as the word comes out that he will be the starting second baseman for the ChiSox, he will be scooped up faster than you can say “he gone!” Coming off of a 35 steal season across three levels of the minor leagues, Madrigal will complement the young, exciting lineup of the South Siders nicely if he does in fact earn the starting gig.

On-Base Percentage (OBP)

 

Top 25

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Mike Trout LAA OF
2 Christian Yelich MIL OF
3 Alex Bregman HOU 3B/SS
4 Anthony Rendon LAA 3B
5 Carlos Santana CLE 1B
6 Cody Bellinger LAD 1B/OF
7 Freddie Freeman ATL 1B
8 Juan Soto WSH OF
9 Anthony Rizzo CHC 1B
10 Mookie Betts LAD OF
11 Kris Bryant CHC 3B/OF
12 George Springer HOU OF
13 DJ LeMahieu NYY 1B/2B/3B
14 J.D. Martinez BOS OF
15 Jeff McNeil NYM 2B/3B/OF
16 Bryce Harper PHI OF
17 Nelson Cruz MIN UT
18 Xander Bogaerts BOS SS
19 Nolan Arenado COL 3B
20 Josh Donaldson ATL 3B
21 Yordan Alvarez HOU OF
22 Tommy Pham SD OF
23 Ketel Marte ARZ 2B/SS/OF
24 Aaron Judge NYY OF
25 Yasmani Grandal CHW C/1B

 

Off the list: N/A

Mike Trout is the undisputed king of OBP, and, quite frankly, fantasy in general. But the man has a .447 OBP over the last three years and a career OBP of .419. Literally mind-boggling.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Shin-Soo Choo TEX OF
2 Mark Canha OAK 1B/OF
3 Joey Votto CIN 1B
4 Luis Arraez MIN 2B/3B/OF
5 Howie Kendrick WSH 1B/2B/3B
6 Ji-Man Choi TB 1B
7 Kolten Wong STL 2B
8 Carson Kelly ARZ C
9 David Fletcher LAA 2B/3B/SS/OF
10 Jason Heyward CHC OF

 

Off the list: N/A

It is legitimately saddening to see Joey Votto on the under-owned list for OBP and not in the top tier on the overall list. But that is where he stands heading into 2020. I have all the faith in the world in Votto’s ability at the dish and would love nothing more than to see a rebound for the soon-to-be 37-year old.

 

Wins (W)

 

Top 25

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Gerrit Cole NYY SP
2 Justin Verlander HOU SP
3 Clayton Kershaw LAD SP
4 Zack Greinke HOU SP
5 Max Scherzer WSH SP
6 Shane Bieber CLE SP
7 Stephen Strasburg WSH SP
8 Jacob deGrom NYM SP
9 Walker Buehler LAD SP
10 Aaron Nola PHI SP
11 Jose Berrios MIN SP
12 Patrick Corbin WSH SP
13 Luis Castillo CIN SP
14 Lucas Giolito CHW SP
15 Jack Flaherty STL SP
16 Mike Clevinger CLE SP
17 Blake Snell TB SP
18 Mike Soroka ATL SP
19 Corey Kluber TEX SP
20 Eduardo Rodriguez BOS SP
21 Lance Lynn TEX SP
22 James Paxton NYY SP
23 Trevor Bauer CIN SP
24 Ryan Yarbrough TB SP/RP
25 Kyle Hendricks CHC SP

 

Off the list: N/A

Despite the pure domination that is Jacob deGrom, you would typically be hard-pressed to find him near the top of the wins leaders. Well that all changes this year, goshdarnit! The Mets have built a winning ball club and are poised to make a playoff push this year. They will need their ace more than ever, and with a very underrated lineup supporting him, here’s to hoping deGrom can find himself on the winning side of all those 1-0 and 2-1 ballgames.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Rick Porcello NYM SP
2 J.A. Happ NYY SP
3 Jon Gray COL SP
4 Rich Hill MIN SP
5 Marco Gonzales SEA SP
6 Steven Matz NYM SP
7 Alex Wood LAD SP
8 Sandy Alcantara MIA SP
9 Yonny Chirinos TB SP/RP
10 Dakota Hudson STL SP

 

Off the list: N/A

After David Price chose to sit out the 2020 season, it all but shored up a spot for Alex Wood in the crowded Dodgers starting rotation. Wood is coming off of an injury-shortened season where he only made seven starts. Prior to 2019, the southpaw put together a 3.31 ERA across five seasons and averaged ten wins per year. Now back in L.A., and being supported by arguably the best lineup in baseball, Wood should find himself in the win column more often than not.

 

Earned Run Average (ERA)

 

Top 25

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Jacob deGrom NYM SP
2 Justin Verlander HOU SP
3 Gerrit Cole NYY SP
4 Clayton Kershaw LAD SP
5 Max Scherzer WSH SP
6 Walker Buehler LAD SP
7 Jack Flaherty STL SP
8 Zack Greinke HOU SP
9 Mike Clevinger CLE SP
10 Luis Castillo CIN SP
11 Shane Bieber CLE SP
12 Stephen Strasburg WSH SP
13 Mike Soroka ATL SP
14 Patrick Corbin WSH SP
15 Aaron Nola PHI SP
16 Lucas Giolito CHW SP
17 Tyler Glasnow TB SP
18 Chris Paddack SD SP
19 Charlie Morton TB SP
20 Kyle Hendricks CHC SP
21 Hyun-Jin Ryu TOR SP
22 Jose Berrios MIN SP
23 Sonny Gray CIN SP
24 Corey Kluber TEX SP
25 Frankie Montas OAK SP

 

Off the list: N/A

Many people have just written off Corey Kluber as completely washed up but I beg to differ. The veteran right-hander only made seven, albeit bad starts last year before taking a liner off of his throwing arm which sidelined him for a couple of months and then was officially shut down after an abdominal strain. The guy has religiously been a slow starter and, I’m sorry, seven starts is just not a big enough sample size for me to count out a multiple time Cy Young award winner. Kluber will be fine.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Aaron Civale CLE SP
2 Rich Hill MIN SP
3 Sandy Alcantara MIA SP
4 Yonny Chirinos TB SP/RP
5 Adrian Houser MIL SP/RP
6 Matt Shoemaker TOR SP
7 Miles Mikolas STL SP
8 Anibal Sanchez WSH SP
9 Nate Pearson TOR SP
10 Spencer Howard PHI SP

 

Off the list: N/A

The two names that stand out here are at the bottom. Both Nate Pearson and Spencer Howard have strong cases to make their respective squad’s Opening Day starting rotation, but neither of them is a certainty at this point. Regardless, they both need to be on your radar because even if they do not break camp with the big clubs, it is safe to assume they will be in the starting five relatively soon.

 

Strikeouts (K)

 

Top 25

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Gerrit Cole NYY SP
2 Justin Verlander HOU SP
3 Max Scherzer WSH SP
4 Jacob deGrom NYM SP
5 Jack Flaherty STL SP
6 Shane Bieber CLE SP
7 Trevor Bauer CIN SP
8 Charlie Morton TB SP
9 Stephen Strasburg WSH SP
10 Patrick Corbin WSH SP
11 Matt Boyd DET SP
12 Yu Darvish CHC SP
13 Walker Buehler LAD SP
14 Mike Clevinger CLE SP
15 Luis Castillo CIN SP
16 Dinelson Lamet SD SP
17 Lucas Giolito CHW SP
18 Lance Lynn TEX SP
19 Corey Kluber TEX SP
20 Clayton Kershaw LAD SP
21 Blake Snell TB SP
22 Aaron Nola PHI SP
23 Sonny Gray CIN SP
24 Robbie Ray ARZ SP
25 James Paxton NYY SP

 

Off the list: N/A

Dinelson Lamet has been one of the fantasy industries’ biggest darlings or busts, depending on who you follow. One thing, though, is for certain: Lamet racks up the K’s. After averaging nearly 13 K/9 returning from Tommy John surgery in 2019, the Padres’ right-hander is poised to keep the punch outs coming.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Jon Gray COL SP
2 Rich Hill MIN SP
3 Freddy Peralta MIL SP/RP
4 Anthony Desclafani CIN SP
5 Sandy Alcantara MIA SP
6 Steven Matz NYM SP
7 Mitch Keller PIT SP
8 Reynaldo Lopez CHW SP
9 Spencer Turnbull DET SP
10 J.A. Happ NYY SP

 

Off the list: N/A

Rich Hill has found himself on several of these under-owned lists because, well, he is severely under-owned. Currently owned in about half of leagues, Hill is healthy and ready to go as the Twins fifth starter coming off of his second(!) Tommy John. We all know what the 40-year old is capable of in the strikeout department when healthy, therefore he is very much worth the flier.

 

Saves (SV)

 

Top 25

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Kirby Yates SD RP
2 Josh Hader MIL RP
3 Roberto Osuna HOU RP
4 Kenley Jansen LAD RP
5 Edwin Diaz NYM RP
6 Brad Hand CLE RP
7 Craig Kimbrel CHC RP
8 Liam Hendriks OAK RP
9 Raisel Iglesias CIN RP
10 Taylor Rogers MIN RP
11 Ken Giles TOR RP
12 Hector Neris PHI RP
13 Aroldis Chapman NYY RP
14 Archie Bradley ARZ RP
15 Alex Colome CHW RP
16 Brandon Workman BOS RP
17 Mark Melancon ATL RP
18 Sean Doolittle WSH RP
19 Nick Anderson TB RP
20 Ian Kennedy KC RP
21 Hansel Robles LAA RP
22 Jose Leclerc TEX SP/RP
23 Giovanny Gallegos STL RP
24 Joe Jimenez DET RP
25 Zack Britton NYY RP

 

Off the list: N/A

With Aroldis Chapman testing positive for COVID-19 and showing mild symptoms, his status for the start of the season is certainly up in the air. It would appear that Zack Britton would be the favorite to get the save chances in the Bronx while Chapman recovers. Britton has had loads of success in the closer’s role in the past so he is definitely worth a look for the early going.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-Team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Zack Britton NYY RP
2 Daniel Hudson WSH RP
3 Brandon Kintzler MIA RP
4 Wade Davis COL RP
5 Kyle Crick PIT RP
6 Tony Watson SF RP
7 Hunter Harvey BAL RP
8 Mychal Givens BAL RP
9 Matt Magill SEA RP
10 Austin Adams SEA RP

 

Off the list: N/A

Talk about dumpster diving. With the exception of Britton, none of these names are very desirable if you are in need of saves. Wade Davis appears to be the only one on this list who has been confirmed to be his team’s closer to start the year. So, do with that what you will.

 

WHIP (Walks+Hits/Innings Pitched)

 

Top 25

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Justin Verlander HOU SP
2 Gerrit Cole NYY SP
3 Clayton Kershaw LAD SP
4 Jacob deGrom NYM SP
5 Max Scherzer WSH SP
6 Shane Bieber CLE SP
7 Zack Greinke HOU SP
8 Walker Buehler LAD SP
9 Jack Flaherty STL SP
10 Stephen Strasburg WSH SP
11 Luis Castillo CIN SP
12 Charlie Morton TB SP
13 Tyler Glasnow TB SP
14 Mike Clevinger CLE SP
15 Aaron Nola PHI SP
16 Kyle Hendricks CHC SP
17 Patrick Corbin WSH SP
18 Yu Darvish CHC SP
19 Lucas Giolito CHW SP
20 Corey Kluber TEX SP
21 Brandon Woodruff MIL SP
22 James Paxton NYY SP
23 Matt Boyd DET SP
24 Hyun-Jin Ryu TOR SP
25 Sonny Gray CIN SP

 

Off the list: N/A

It’s a shame we did not get the chance to see Tyler Glasnow finish the entire season last year. In his twelve starts, he was looking like a Cy Young front runner and every bit of the top prospect we had hoped he would be. His command and control had improved leaps and bounds. Glasnow is looking like a good bet to finish towards the top of the league in ERA and WHIP during this shortened season.

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Rich Hill MIN SP
2 Yonny Chirinos TB SP/RP
3 Aaron Civale CLE SP
4 Chris Bassitt OAK SP
5 Miles Mikolas STL SP
6 Griffin Canning LAA SP
7 Anthon Desclafani CIN SP
8 Alex Wood LAD SP
9 Nate Pearson TOR SP
10 Spencer Howard PHI SP

 

Off the list: N/A

Recovering from elbow issues stemming from spring training, Griffin Canning appears to be on track for a spot in the Opening Day rotation out in Anaheim. The 24-year old has outstanding stuff and showcased that on several occasions last year. As long as his elbow cooperates, Canning could be a nice find for those wise enough to add him.

 

Quality Starts (QS)

 

Top 25

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Justin Verlander HOU SP
2 Gerrit Cole NYY SP
3 Jacob deGrom NYM SP
4 Clayton Kershaw LAD SP
5 Zack Greinke ARZ SP
6 Max Scherzer WSH SP
7 Jack Flaherty STL SP
8 Patrick Corbin WSH SP
9 Shane Bieber CLE SP
10 Stephen Strasburg WSH SP
11 Mike Clevinger CLE SP
12 Aaron Nola MIN SP
13 Walker Buehler LAD SP
14 Luis Castillo CIN SP
15 Jose Berrios MIN SP
16 Lucas Giolito CHW SP
17 Madison Bumgarner ARZ SP
18 Corey Kluber TEX SP
19 Yu Darvish CHC SP
20 Sonny Gray CIN SP
21 Chris Paddack SD SP
22 Mike Soroka ATL SP
23 Lance Lynn TEX SP
24 Trevor Bauer CIN SP
25 Zac Gallen ARZ SP

 

Off the list: N/A

Did you know Lance Lynn had more quality starts last year than guys like Max Scherzer, Walker Buehler, Aaron Nola, and Charlie Morton? The guy was really good in 2019.

 

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

 

Rank Name Team Position Change
1 Steven Matz NYM SP
2 Sandy Alcantara MIA SP
3 Nathan Eovaldi BOS SP/RP
4 Anthony Desclafani CIN SP
5 Marco Gonzales SEA SP
6 Aaron Civale CLE SP
7 Miles Mikolas STL SP
8 Jon Gray COL SP
9 Rick Porcello NYM SP
10 Alex Wood LAD SP

 

Off the list: N/A

Steven Matz posted a quality start in half of his starts from 2019, which is pretty remarkable considering he averaged only a little over five innings per start. Matz is the type of pitcher where when he is good, he is good. But when he is bad, he is bad.

Featured image by Justin Paradis (@freshmeatcomm on Twitter)

Colin Ward

Colin currently resides in the Buffalo, NY area and studied at SUNY Fredonia earning a degree in Sport Management. He is a former Assistant Athletic Director and Sports Information Director at the collegiate level. Baseball is his passion and he bleeds Pinstripes.

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