It’s safe to say that the current era is not a golden one for starting pitchers. Over the past five years, we’ve seen a decline in strikeouts and wins among pitchers. Last season, no pitcher reached 230 strikeouts, and no one achieved 19 wins. Even in ratio categories like ERA and WHIP, last year’s leaders fell short compared to the likes of Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, and Jacob deGrom in their prime.
Despite the challenging landscape for pitchers, there are still standout players who could make a significant impact in fantasy baseball this season. While there may not be any first-round picks among pitchers, it’s essential to identify those who have the potential to be game-changers.
Here are some top contenders (and a few dark horses) who could emerge as the number one starter this year:
The Favorites
Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates (Yahoo ADP: 13.9)
Why he could finish first: Skenes boasts an impressive fastball velocity and strong performance in key pitching metrics like ERA, WHIP, and strikeout rate.
Why he might not: Despite his potential, Skenes lacks experience and may be prone to injuries given his high velocity.
Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers (Yahoo ADP: 16.4)
Why he could finish first: Skubal has excelled in wins, strikeouts, ERA, and WHIP, showing consistency and strong performance.
Why he might not: While Skubal is a reliable option, his strikeout rate may not be among the best, and he lacks support from his team.
Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies (Yahoo ADP: 23.8)
Why he could finish first: Wheeler has shown consistency in key pitching metrics over the past few seasons.
Why he might not: Despite his reliability, Wheeler may not have the same ceiling as other pitchers due to his strikeout rate and age.
Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves (Yahoo ADP: 39)
Why he could finish first: Sale has a track record of impressive performances and has shown the ability to reach great heights in strikeouts and ratios.
Why he might not: Sale’s age and injury history could be a concern for fantasy managers.
The Dark Horses
Blake Snell, Los Angeles Dodgers (Yahoo ADP: 39.2)
Why he might finish first: Snell has shown flashes of brilliance but has also been inconsistent throughout his career.
Why he might not: Snell’s control issues and durability concerns may impact his ability to be a top performer.
Garrett Crochet, Boston Red Sox (Yahoo ADP: 39.8)
Why he might finish first: Crochet has demonstrated strong strikeout ability and has the potential to lead in key pitching categories.
Why he might not: Concerns about Crochet’s durability and the impact of his new home park on his performance may hinder his success.
Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers (Yahoo ADP: 48.6)
Why he might finish first: DeGrom has impressive career ratios and has the potential to bounce back from injury.
Why he might not: DeGrom’s durability and age could be significant factors in his performance this season.
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