ROTW Rankings: Pitchers
June 3rd, 2011 | by Ray Flowers |
I’m asked all the time, ‘hey Ray, can you rank these players for me the rest of the way.’ I diligently answer the queries, but with the question being asked so frequently it only made sense for me to come up with a list that I could refer people to. Early this week I did just that in ROTW RANKINGS: HITTERS. Today, I’ll reveal my rankings for pitchers breaking them down in twp categories – starters and relievers – for the Rest of the Way.
NOTE: These are Rest of the Way rankings. These lists are intended to give my thoughts on how players should be ranked from June 3rd on, irrespective of the players production up to this point. Also, the rankings are based on the standard of a 12 team mixed league using traditional 5×5 categories.
By Ray Flowers
Tags: ROTW, ROTW Pitchers, ROTW Rankings
By Ray Flowers on Jun 3, 2011
FP – He’s in there now. Was an oversight on my part.
By Jesse on Jun 3, 2011
Great article!
Question – was Brett Myers an oversight? He’s been terrible this year but behind the likes of Buehrle seems extreme. Seems like he might be hiding an injury though..
By Nick on Jun 3, 2011
Ray,
14 team (4 keepers no price) h2h cat. Got H-Ram so need a fill in. I don’t need any specific category just best player for now. Who do you think out of these. Nishioka, hardy, infante, pennington, tyler greene, crawford, bartlett. Also could you give me your thoughts on Brandon Crawford. Why would they call up a class a player for a short-term fix? Thanks
By Ray Flowers on Jun 3, 2011
Jesse – Not an oversight. I spoke about Myers yesterday here – http://baseballguys.com/2011/06/02/pitcher-profiles/
Myers has more of everyone’s favorite – upside – but B. is the more stable option right now. Neither is great as you are aware…
By Ray Flowers on Jun 3, 2011
Nick – Tough deal with HanRam right now.
Nishioka isn’t playing, and not sure what to expect.
Hardy – Power, but always seems hurt.
Infante – all he gives is flexibility.
Pennington – not much other than some steals.
Crawford – a better fielder than hitter, but he should play a lot. The Giants simply had no other choice. Tejada is awful, Fontenot on DL.
Bartlett – The best option I see on this list. Granted, it’s not a strong list.
By Chase on Jun 3, 2011
Hey Ray. Why so low on Jordan Walden. He’s looked every bit of legit besides like 3 outings. Just no trust in him? And should we expect an increase in K’s for C Perez as the year goes on? He’s scarin me
By Ray Flowers on Jun 3, 2011
Chase – Perez is a bit nerve racking for sure. Loss of Ks, too many walks. However, he keeps walking the tight wire act, and has no real threat to take his job.
Angels could always turn to Rodney or even Downs. Walden’s got a big K rate, but he’s walking 4.62 guys per nine. Awful. He’s never been able to throw strikes going back to the minors. I dont trust that, or the fact that he hasn’t allowed a single homer yet. His ERA could easily be a run higher than it currently is. Without a track record to fall back on, I’m just a little reluctant to push him higher on the list.
By Chad on Jun 3, 2011
Ray- I was going over your ROTW ranking for the hitters. Could you make an argument that Aybar is more valuable than Castro? I have a guy in my league who loves Castro and he currently has Aybar. I need steals so I was thinking about making the trade with him straight up. I have Tulo but also start a 2nd/SS. I been plugging Castro in but he only really gets hits.
By Fenz on Jun 3, 2011
Ray, I tried something different in year 20 of my fantasy baseball career and drafted heavy on hitting once the top tier guys (Halladay, Lincecum, Felix) were swiped before my 1st round pick. 12-team, points/keeper league. I’m surviving with some overachievers or guys who will come back down to earth – B. Anderson, D. Hudson, Ogando, Chacin, Bedard – and got some decent mileage out of De La Rosa (RIP). I just activated Matusz but could use another (or more) reliable starter. I’ve offered Smoak (have A-Gonz and Konerko) and Avila (have Santana) for Anibal Sanchez but see that you don’t have Anibal ranked very high on the ROTW. What do you think about free agents Jordan Lyles or Rubby De La Rosa?
By Ray Flowers on Jun 3, 2011
Chad – Aybar has 14 steals, career best only 22. I dont think he is suddenly gonna steal 40 bases. I’d still say Castro is a better option, but Aybar isn’t a bad fall back option – as you saw, they are pretty close on my list.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 3, 2011
Fenz – I love the skills of Anibal Sanchez. Reason he is lower on the list is my concern about his ability to stay healthy. If the choice was him or Lyles or RDLR, I’d go Sanchez. The two youngsters have a lot of skills, but neither has the upper end ability that Sanchez does at the moment. Keep the Marlins’ SP.
By Nick on Jun 3, 2011
Ray,
I saw Brett Pill hit two ball probably 500 feet over the last couple of weeks, and he is doing well in triple A. Does he have any value this year in a 18 team league?
By Tyler on Jun 3, 2011
Hey Ray-
I was just wondering how you would approach handling Pineda. I hope to ship him off while his value is high for another stud pitcher that will actually still be relevant into September. (assuming the likely scenario that Pineda faces innings cap, also no. 45 in your rankings) I know many owners in my league are willing to give quite a bit for him now but should I wait awhile? I am just curious about the timing of executing such a move. Thanks for all your help…5-0 since making baseball guys a daily read!
By Rob on Jun 3, 2011
Hi Ray,
Okay, get ready for your favorite type of question. Of these three pitchers, Gee, Fister and Harang, who do you start on Saturday? Do you prefer Gee against the slumping bats of Atlanta or Harang in SD against Houston?
By Jason on Jun 4, 2011
Ray:
I’m in a 16-team league (H2H, points-based) with some pretty knowledgeable managers, so picking up young talent off of the waiver wire can be kind of tough. Would you consider picking up Anthony Rizzo and stashing him on my bench now? I’m just trying to get ahead of the pack when he does get called up. When do you think he’ll get called up?
Thanks for all that you do to make my fantasy team just a little better!
By Matt on Jun 4, 2011
Ray,
I am in a dynasty league with 12 keepers and 4 prospect spots. I have been hit by the injury bug this year with Hamilton, Sandoval, A Bailey, Lidge, LaRoche, McLouth and others (not to mention I once had Ian Stewart on my roster). Likely not in contention this year though I don’t like to concede early. I have been offered Nelson Cruz, Chase Utley, Geovanny Soto and Mike Minor in exchange for Victor Martinez, Martin Prado, Jhonny Peralta, and Fernando Salas. I like the deal from my end but Cruz and Utley scare me given all the other injury issues I have had. What do you think? I may think if he would do the above without Utley and Prado.
By Ricky S on Jun 4, 2011
Ray,
5×5 10 tm league. If you were me, would you start Aramis Ramirez coming off a face injury next week, or would you pick up one of these guys to plug and play: Juan Rivera, Freddie Freeman, Brett Wallace, Callaspo, Daniel Murphy, or James Loney. Thanks for your help.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 5, 2011
Nick – The Giants already have too many OFs. Unless a deal is made, where would Phil play? This is especially true when Belt returns since it looks like he will be playing in the OF, and with Huff getting hot at 1B, no spot for Phil.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 5, 2011
Tyler – I agree with you that Pineda isn’t likely to pitch late into Sept. Mariners want to keep his innings in check. That is one of the main reasons he dropped in my rankings.
If you aren’t in a keeper league, I think now would be a solid time to move him, so do it if you can get top dollar.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 5, 2011
Rob – Sorry I missed your question. I was away on my first vacation in three years.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 5, 2011
Jason – You can add Rizzo. But like I tell everyone else who asks…
(A) We don’t know for sure when he will be called up.
(B) Hitting minor lg pitching is totally different than big league pitching.
(C) Hitting at PETCO is murder on power hitters.
In a 16 tm lg now is the time to add him, so add away. If you wait, it will be costly to your FAAB budget, and the bidding will be intense.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 5, 2011
Matt – Cruz/Utley/Soto/Minor FOR Vmart/Prado/Peralta/Salas
You get two stars, if healthy. Soto should be a top-10 catcher ROTW if healthy. Minor may or may not offer much this year.
Here’s the deal – long run, you come out ahead here in my mind. Cruz/Utley are BIG health risks, but when healthy they should both be top-50 bats. Soto, when going well is a top-10 C at worst.
Vmart is a star. Prado not a star, but really, really good.
Peralta is solid, but he’ll lose 3B next year, and there’s no way he keeps up his current pace.
Salas – 2 months ago you wouldn’t have wanted him.
I’d do the deal.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 5, 2011
Ricky S – Always hard to know how guys are going to do coming off injury. Still, he had two hits, two RBI on Sunday, so I say roll with him.
By AI on Jun 5, 2011
not sure if it’s been addressed, but Wolf is listed twice… unless you really like him that much to list him twice..
By Ty on Jun 5, 2011
Hey Ray,
I’m trying to find a guy who would be able to get me some SB’s off the waiver wire. Do you think Corey Patterson, Eric young or the new call up for the cubs will all get enough playing time to be worth a pick up?
Thanks
By Marc in CO on Jun 5, 2011
Alright Ray. 14 team H2H 5X5. I’m mired in 12th but only 10 games out of the last wild card spot. I’m without D. Wright for at least a month and couldn’t stomach another week of Tennessee Jed Lowrie. So I traded Jurrjens for Aramis to plug that hole. I still have a rotation of Romero-Wandy-Nolasco-Lewis-Zimmerman-Bumgarner. Too much or just right?
By Ray Flowers on Jun 6, 2011
AI – issue rectified. Thanks for pointing it out.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 6, 2011
TY – If you need speed, take a shot on EYJ.
Fowler is likely to be put on DL or demoted, so EYJ should get plenty of PT. He has 3 steals in 8 games, a pace that would net him well over 50 SBs in a full season. Plus, here are his steal numbers in the minors: 87, 73, 46, 58… he’s got phenominal wheels.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 6, 2011
Marc in CO – With the way Jurrjens has been pitching, I’d have aimed a lot higher in a deal. Mind you I have no problem moving JJ, I dont love that skillset, but I’d have thought you’d have been able to entice someone.
I’m a fan of Aramis though, so it shouldn’t end up being too bad.
By Matthew on Jun 6, 2011
Good morning, Ray.
I have Jonathon Broxton coming off the DL at some point and will need to decide which one of these three closers to drop (2012 keeper price): Broxton ($14), Axford ($9), or Storen ($8). They all scare me in one way or another. Who has the best potential for this year? For 2012?
Thank you!
By Ray Flowers on Jun 6, 2011
Matthew – Given skills, and price, I think Broxton is the one to let go. Storen has struggled of late, but he’s the man in WAS and at roughly 60% the cost of Broxton, who has struggled for about a calendar year now, I think it’s an easy call to let Broxton go.
By Matthew on Jun 6, 2011
Thanks, Ray! As always…you are the man.
By Matt on Jun 6, 2011
Ray, I just dropped Lyles and picked up Collmentor, do you think that was a decent pick up? I also want to know if you think I should drop Buerle for Gee or should I ride Buerle out?
By Ray Flowers on Jun 6, 2011
Matt – Buehrle is solid, won’t kill your ratios, and always gives innings and wins. Gee hasn’t profiled much better since joining the Mets. Given the track record of MB, he’d be the guy I would go with.
Collmenter is awful. He has no chance to keep this up. Was never very good in the minors, and simply doesn’t have the skills to sustain this success (according to Jason Grey of ESPN his only above average pitch is his change up). I don’t want Collmenter, even in an NL only league. I’d look to trade him immediately, it could all go south very quickly.
By Matt on Jun 6, 2011
Ok thanks Ray.
By Mike on Jun 7, 2011
Ray…just curious why you have Jaime Garcia out of the Top 50 in your ROTW pitcher rankings. I think that is very low for him…he is currently ranked as the #4 SP in my H2H league, and I pegged him as a breakout this year after a good rookie season last year. Do you see a breakdown coming?
By Ray Flowers on Jun 7, 2011
Mike -I’m gonna answer your question in my mailbag piece today… but I’ll say this – it’s pretty tough to have a breakout season when you win 13 games with a 2.70 ERA as a rookie.
By kris on Jun 14, 2011
curious if matsuz was left of the pitchers list mainly because of injury. i just dropped him to get scott baker and am now having second thoughts after looking at your list. thanks
By Rob on Jun 15, 2011
Hi Ray,
I’m looking to pick up a setup man to improve on my ratios. Who do you like to keep the ERA and WHIP the lowest while getting frequent Ks and the occasional Win/Save? No holds league.
Crow, Clippard, Romo (I like Romo but I’ve listed these guys in the order you have them on your ROTW rankings). Who’s ratios are likely to be the best going forward?
By Ray Flowers on Jun 15, 2011
Kris – Yes, Matusz’ injury was the main reason he was dropped down the list. I’d still take Baker over him though. Big fan of the Twins’ hurler.
By Ray Flowers on Jun 15, 2011
Rob – RP’s can have great ratios, but when your team is tossing 1300 innings on the year, 40 IP from a middle reliever the rest of the season is barely going to move the needle.
Romo is likely to have the best ratios of the trio, but he doesn’t pitch a ton of innings.
Crow has been strong this year, but I worry about four walks per nine.
Clippard is the best bet to help you in multiple categories.
By Evan on Jun 30, 2011
I love these ROTW rankings! How often can we hope for these? Maybe 1-2 more times before the end of the season?
By Ray Flowers on Jun 30, 2011
Evan – I will probably do a ROTW rankings at the All-Star break. It’s a lot of working trying to put the lists together, but I try to do it because I know people really like them.
By William on Jun 30, 2011
Hi Ray,
Am I missing something here? Someone in my league just dropped R Zimmerman to pick up Freese who is back from the DL. That does not make sense unless Zimm is hurt and can’t get it going! Should I pick him up and drop P Sandoval at 3rd or maybe drop G Sanchez at the 1b/3B slot to add Zimm at that slot?
By Ray Flowers on Jul 1, 2011
William – Someone is just shortsighted. Zimm should be picked up of course. He’s struggled sure, but its only 100 at-bats and he’s coming back off major surgery. He certainly should be given more room.
Drop Sandoval or Sanchez? Must be in a 10 team league? I really don’t want to drop either of those guys. If you had to I guess you drop Pablo, but I’d really try to drop someone else before letting those two go.
By Jim on Jul 1, 2011
Ray,
Is it me or does this kind of thing happen to all Fantasy owners??
I drop Dirks and keep Dyson, hoping for some steals from Dyson and Dirks hadn’t done much and with Mags back, I think he’s going to platoon at best and not produce too much. He goes 0-3 Monday night, so when Tuesday comes around I pick Dyson over Dirks.
So what happens next:
Tuesday, Dirks goes 1-2 with HR and 1 RBI
Wed: 1-2 with HR and 1 RBI
Thursday: 2-3 with HR and 2 RBI and an SB!
Are you kidding me??!!
Jim
Mysports1 (Twitter)
By Jay on Jul 1, 2011
ray, oh wise one…i was offered
verlander and ethier for the inFamous
Hanram.
12 team 5×5 roto, im 6th. have cc, lince, lohse, peavy, stauffer and masterson…can pick up alex gonz, alcides escobar or maizer izturis for ss replacement? im 6th, 20 points off of first and im only a 4 in k’s…which is why im interested…5 keepers by the way…please help man…ive had my finger on the reject button 5 times today but there is so much value…but its hanram…help please…
By Brian on Jul 1, 2011
Ray, I’m in a 10 team 5×5 roto league that uses obp and my team is in need of offense. Looking to acquire for one of my starters (CC, Hanson, Chacin, Zimmermann, Ubaldo, Beachy, Billingsley, Nolasco, Hughes). I’ve checked all around the league but no takers. I’m down to a few options. One is Adam Lind. I’ve already been turned offered the owner Chacin and been turned down. Now I’m considering offering up CC. Don’t know if that’s less value that CC is worth, but seems to be the best I can possibly do. What are your thoughts. Another option may be Rasmus for my Zimmermann, Chacin or Beachy. What do you think of giving up any of those for Rasmus? Who’d you rather get rid of? My current starting OF is kemp, hart, joyce, a. jackson, and Moreland with Crawford on the DL and D. Jennings on the bench awaiting call up.
Along those lines, when do you see Jennings getting called up? I might hold him until after the ASB, then cut him if he’s still not up.
You rule. Love you on Sirius and still saddened that Fanball closed its doors.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 1, 2011
Jim – I tell people this all the time… if you jimmy jack around with your lineup, more often than not, you end up coming out on the wrong side. Think of this…
I know Miguel Cabrera is gonna hit .300-30-100, probably better.
I have no idea which of the 26 weeks of the season he will hit .120 or .420.
I have no idea which week he will hit zero homers or which one he will hit four.
That’s the problem with micromanaging. If you pick the “right” days with Cabrera you might get .350-20-85, but if you pick the wrong days you get .250-10-15.
You can look at hot/cold streaks and matchups, but most of the time you’re better off going with the players with the best skills and the opportunity to play.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 1, 2011
Jay – Someone offered you Verlander AND Ethier for Hanley Ramirez? You gotta do that. Even in a 12 team keeper league. Both the guys you’re adding are keeper material. I’d do the deal to get an elite SP and a really, really good OF.
You’ll be hurting at SS, I’d grab Alcides, but I think you’d come out ahead.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 1, 2011
Brian – You cannot move CC Sabathia for Lind. Don’t do that even if you feel like no one will deal with you.
I think adding Zimmerman at a low point like he’s at right now makes a lot of sense. I’d move either Chacin or Beachy for him.
I have no idea when Jennings will be called up. He really isn’t excelling at Triple-A, and Ruggiano has done a fairly decent job. At some point Jennings will be up. If I had to guess, I’d say after the ASB.
Glad you enjoy the radio show Brian.
By Brian on Jul 1, 2011
Thanks, Ray. But I was asking if you’d move Zimmermann for Rasmus? But seems like you’d rather move Chacin or Beachy for Colby and hold onto Zim, right?
By Ray Flowers on Jul 1, 2011
Brian – Your question was confusing, sorry about that.
Would I move Jordan Zimmerman for Rasmus? I know that Zimmerman is likely to be shut down early this year, but with the way he is pitching, I’d have to think you could get more than Rasmus in a deal, even in a 10 tm league.