PITCHERS: Mid-Season ROTW Rankings
July 18th, 2011 | by Ray Flowers |
Last Friday I released my ROTW Rankings for Hitters to equal parts adulation and scorn. Today, I’ll further infuriate the masses by releasing my ROTW Rankings for Pitchers.
Before moving on to the rankings it should be noted that pitchers are only listed at one spot (Tim Stauffer might qualify as a reliever and starter in your league, but in the BaseballGuys.com rankings he only appears as a starter).
These rankings are my expectations for pitchers from this point forward. If Josh Johnson is healthy and at 100% percent he’d be in my top-10. However, he’s not even close to that at this point which is why he doesn’t appear anywhere close to that high on the list.
Relievers are so tough to predict because of roles. I’ve tried to blend my expectations based upon what role a pitcher will hold (i.e. Mike Adams will close if he stays with the Padres and Heath Bell is dealt). In most cases it’s still best to target the skills and not the role, but you have to objectively consider whether or not at this point of the season whether or not the role is more valuable.
PITCHERS: Mid-Season ROTW Rankings
Tags: Heath Bell, Josh Johnson, Mike Adams, Rest of the Way, Rest of the Way Rankings, ROTW, ROTW Pitchers, Tim Stauffer
By Rob on Jul 18, 2011
Hi Ray,
Two quick notes:
1. Stauffer is listed twice, at 31 and 36.
2. Is one of those slots supposed to be for Nolasco? I don’t see him on the list.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 18, 2011
Rob – Good call.
By Kevin on Jul 18, 2011
Chris Capuano gets no respect.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 18, 2011
Kevin – I went with Gee over Capuano for the final spot. You’re right though, even I don’t give him the respect he likely deserves.
By Chase on Jul 18, 2011
Scott Baker so low just because of the arm concerns?
By Ray Flowers on Jul 18, 2011
Chase – You got it with Baker. There’s no logical way you can rank him much higher right now given his ongoing elbow woes, which in conjunction with his history, make his health a big question mark.
Hilarious too…
I’ve been the lone person out there saying buy on Baker all along… and I mean since last October, so I find it ironic that I’m not the one being called out for ranking him in the 50′s.
By Nick on Jul 18, 2011
I know it’s never a good idea to trade hitting for pitching, but I’m thinking about offering Jay Bruce for Verlander. Is this a good idea?
10 team, head to head, standard scoring league
Thanks.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 18, 2011
Nick – If you can convince someone to accept Bruce for Verlander you should go into politics. That deal would be a massive win for you. Not a little victory, but like V-Day in WWII.
By Mike on Jul 19, 2011
Hi Ray
Thanks for your SP rankings. I see you didnt rank Philip Hughes. Thoughts on him ROS
Thanks
By Ray Flowers on Jul 19, 2011
Mike – The ROTW outlook for Phil Hughes is totally up in the air. He;s look solid his last two outings, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves simply because he is a Yankee. Over his last 21 starts (23 appearances) his ERA is 5.70. Not 3.70 but 5.70. During that time he also has a below leg. average K/BB of 1.90 and his WHIP is 1.42. That’s terrible, and again that’s over 21 starts.
As you might surmise, I’m not a big fan.
By Reese on Jul 19, 2011
Ray,
Need some of your wonderful advice. Should i cut Jason Werth? I have Swisher, Markakis, Delmon Young,Victorino coming off dl. Also have Bonifacio who i picked up when reyes when on dl. I can use bonifacio as a of or utl till he cools off. But werth is just been terrible. He is like 10 for his last 70 or some crap. Is it time to cut bait? Sadly all of these guys are out performing Werth.
Thanks ole bearded one!!!!
By Ray Flowers on Jul 19, 2011
Reese – Glad I’ve been of help this season.
Do you cut Werth? He’s been awful of late, but he does have a track record. Personally, I’d keep him over Delmon Young, but you certainly don’t want to cut any of the other players you listed as potential drop options.
And glad you also enjoyed the beard – i.e. the muskrat.
By Tim Reins on Jul 22, 2011
Ray: I have been offered Ian Kennedy for Shaun Marcum. What do you think??
Tim
By Mark on Jul 22, 2011
I would receive Kershaw and Alex Gordon. I give him Pedroia and Bruce. I do need to lower my WHIP and raise my K/BB ratio, so I’m considering doing it. Am I off base here? (Please tell Kay that she has a heavenly voice. I listen every afternoon on the wonderful 10 Freeway). Mark in Los Angeles.
By Ray Flowers on Jul 22, 2011
Tim – Can go either way on the deal of Kennedy for Marcum. I’d go Marcum, but it’s close.
http://baseballguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/ROTW-PIT-July18-2011-PdfU.pdf
By Ray Flowers on Jul 22, 2011
Mark - I would receive Kershaw and Alex Gordon. I give him Pedroia and Bruce.
If you need pitching, getting a top-10 arm (at worst) is a fine move. Bruce has been struggling for a while, and now dealing with diziness.
I’ll pass in the love of Kay’s voice – it is nice.