Fantasy baseball is starting to gear up, as drafts will commence over the next month. I will examine the best value for each position over the upcoming couple weeks, to have you prepared for your draft.
First up is the starting pitchers, as it is the most important position on your roster. Weeding through all the rankings to find the right fits for your team is tough with so many options readily available. Finding several studs later on could drastically help build your offense with front line players early in your fantasy baseball draft.
*ESPN Rankings are specific to each position group*
Courtesy: Zimbio
Felix Hernandez (Seattle Mariners- ESPN Ranking: 19)
Hernandez has been one of the best pitchers in the MLB since entering the league. But after a “down year” that netted a 3.53 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 191 Ks, his fantasy baseball ranking took a hit. He still gets to pitch his home games in Safeco Field and is a legit ace on the staff. Hernandez should continue his consistency, even with his slight decline in production, making him a surprise threat to be the best pitcher in baseball once again.
Courtesy: Sporting News
Cole Hamels (Texas Rangers- ESPN Ranking: 29)
Though he spent his entire career pitching his home games in hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park, Hamels consistently performed at an elite level. So his first full season in Arlington should not affect his ERA or WHIP. He did see a slight dip in his SOs after moving to the American League last year, but he should have more opportunities to rack up his win total with the playoff contender Texas Rangers.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
Shelby Miller (Arizona Diamondbacks- ESPN Ranking: 50)
During the first half of the season in 2015, he was in the conversation for the NL Cy Young. His problem was a severe lack of run support, as he only had six wins but a 3.02 ERA. With the pressure off of having to carry the rotation, pitching behind Zack Grienke, Miller should see his number improve with Arizona. The added benefit of playing with one of the best offenses in the league should get him his just credit in the win column as well.
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
Aaron Nola (Philadelphia Phillies- ESPN Ranking: 72)
After his late call-up in 2015, Nola was a revelation for the rebuilding Phillies, finishing 6-2 with a 3.59 ERA. Getting more comfortable in the MLB should only help his fantasy baseball performance, as he starts to understand how to attack hitters. While the team looks like it will remain in the cellar of the league again this year, the amount of young prospects coming up could help the overall team defense and run support for the young ace.
Courtesy: Fox Sports
Daniel Norris (Detroit Tigers- ESPN Ranking: 112)
Norris showed flashes of greatness for the Tigers, after being the centerpiece of the David Price trade for the Blue Jays. Working in a pitcher’s park and out of the AL East should help his ERA and WHIP in 2016. While he is another up-and-coming pitcher that will benefit with more experience and a chance to start every fifth day, without the same pressure of Aaron Nola, as he will pitch behind Jordan Zimmerman and Anibal Sanchez.
Other Notables:
Julio Teheran (Atlanta Braves- ESPN Ranking: 45)
Steven Matz (New York Mets- ESPN Ranking: 46)
Gio Gonzalez (Washington Nationals- ESPN Ranking: 47)
Mike Leake (St. Louis Cardinals- ESPN Ranking: 53)
Jake Odorizzi (Tampa Bay Rays- ESPN Rankings: 58)
