One of my favorite parts about writing these articles is when I get comments and tweets about granting my coveted "Aces Gonna Ace" label to pitchers previously outside the exclusive tier. It was a great moment finally giving the proper nod of approval to both Justin Verlander and Kyle Hendricks during the 2016 season and now I've seen requests to give it to my one-and-only love Jameson Taillon after tossing 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks against the Cubs. Keep in mind, Taillon has also faced the Red Sox this season where he also went seven innings deep of shutout baseball. If you're expecting Taillon's rite of passage to come today, I'm sorry to let you down. I would absolutely love to grant it (albeit, this was a 1.50 WHIP start...), but it is way too early to do that. Just three starts into the season and small sample size is still a major thing that we need to keep in mind. Now, am I incredibly pumped for Taillon? Oh heavens yes. That 96/97 heavy heater mixed with a huge hook and Changeup that has the movement we were looking for last year are going to help him coast through the season. Don't worry about the seven walks thus far, those will come down as the season carries on. Get excited and I wouldn't be shocked if Taillon gets invitation in the first half this year.
Let’s see how every other SP did yesterday:
Done with Rich Hill. Can’t take it anymore. Kennedy, Samardzija, Garrett, Santana all on the WW. Who ya got?
Hard to say no to Santana.
Thanks. Just was skeptical given the competition he’s faced, but he’s got the 3rd lowest ERA since July 1, kinda gotta believe in that
Yeah, I am too about Santana, but with the pool you have to ride his hot hand until he gives you reason not to.
Is Musgrove still getting two starts this week?
From what I’ve read, he’s starting tomorrow, which means he’ll also pitch on Sunday. Phew!
The Giant Peach is an excellent nickname
Nick – congrats on having the single best pitching resource in fantasy baseball. Hands down, it isn’t close. As a fellow pitching whisperer, I love the boys on the bump as much as anyone and generally am in lock-step with your rankings. What is great about your rankings is that they really seem to nail the balance of recent performance and longer-term expectations.
All that finally out, I’m hoping to get your thoughts on Ervin Santana. I checked the stats, and he’s been lights-out since his start before the ASB in 2016. Top 5 ERA type success. None of it seems overly luck related, as far as my amateur eyes can tell. He jumped 12 spots this week, but could you have secretly wanted him higher…much higher?
Ha, thanks Dean! I think that idea of gunning for upside over where they will actually end up at season’s end is something that often gets lost in the mix.
I outlined all my thoughts on Santana during yesterday’s SP Roundup here: http://pitcherlist.com/deserving-your-love/
Tl;DR he’s a guy who beats up on bad opponents and looks pretty mediocre against good teams. I don’t want to trust that a true Top 40 starter is here, but I’d like to ride him out as he has the hot hand.
Thanks so much Nick! Yea, I actually ended up reading your SP Roundup later than usual, and after I posted my comment. I like your analysis of his outlook a lot, and if I can use a bench spot to stream him I think I will.
These daily analyses and weekly updates are just crazy good. Adding the Hitters one was great. My 9 year old son watches the pitcher gifs over and over again, dreaming of being those guys. And, admittedly…I often do the same.
Thanks again man.