Entering the season, I was pretty high on Jharel Cotton with a solid FB/CH combination that should be amplified with O.Co as his home field, mixed with a good Curveball and a Cutter/Slider that had plenty of whiff potential. I think it's time to do a full-on review after his 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks night against the Angels. A 5.68 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 3.79 BB/9 is atrocious to say the least, but man this is still so much to like! His heater is getting whiffs at a whopping 11.6% rate while pounding it for strikes 58.4% of the time, he can throw his Slider for strikes as well with solid movement, and boy has he been unlucky - 61.3% LOB rate and a .319 BABIP despite over 20% soft contact and being a flyball pitcher (flyball heavy pitchers should have lower BABIPs than the average pitcher). I think this is a situation where Cotton needs some time to keep his confidence afloat and not try to do too much. I'm willing to buy that he had some bad luck, then tried to do too much to compensate and got himself into more trouble. The skill set is here, his BB/9 was over 3.00 just once across his minor leagues seasons, K/9 could easily be 8.00+ with upside for more and a 3.50 ERA season is within his grasp. I'm not saying hold onto that now, just don't be hesitant to grab him if he starts performing.
Let’s see how every other SP did yesterday:
Best part of that Scherzer GIF is watching Wieters’ eyes going back and forth between Max and Dusty. “Come on Dusty, make the right choice here…”
It’s such a good GIF.
I remember having to say things like in college as well to make my coach put me out there for another inning. The point many don’t realize is that 90% of pitchers feel this way but don’t want to ruffle feathers and disrespect their managers.
Scherzer is another animal of course.
Regarding Arrieta, could his start potentially be considered a Singled Out start? He didn’t give up the long ball, if I recall correctly, and a lot of those hits were singles.
Good call, not to mention the error that made things last longer than they should have.
The three walks is what made me shy away from giving him the label. Generally Singled Out is for a high WHIP that should have low if BABIP was in line. His three walks don’t help the cause.
I’m kinda willing to throw this start out.
I was about to pick up Musgrove and stream him. He certainly would seem more likely to get a W than Perdomo. Curious what spooked you into changing your pick.
Noticed he’s getting just a 7.7% whiff rate on his Slider as it’s getting less movement.
It’s more that I want Musgrove to be the man we saw last year and he hasn’t shown it yet. I’d rather go for Perdomo.
Thanks for the reply. I love your website, btw. Pitcher List has become my favorite fantasy baseball website over the past year.
Thanks man! Glad you enjoy the site :-D
I would encourage anyone who is looking at the box score thinking “Samardzija gonna Samardzija” check out the first inning of last nights game. That was all on Eduardo Nunez who has no business being in left field. Shark did his job and was welcomed with poor defense. He is a definite buy low and his underlying stats suggest good things are to follow.
Eddie Butler and Christian Bergman are joining rotations this week. Any deep league potential there? Looks like both are having good seasons in AAA. Currently desperate for pitching like everyone else.
No Charlie Morton Gif analysis? I feel like Pablo Sandoval. Sad Panda.
I know! GIF Breakdowns take a long while to whip up and it’s getting harder and harder to find the time.
I’m hoping to squeeze it in later today to have it up for tomorrow morning. We’ll see.
Thanks, Nick! I now feel like Pablo when he heard the buffet was open 24 hours a day!