[brid autoplay=”true” video=”377153″ player=”10951″ title=”2019 Razzball Draft Kit Starting Pitchers”]
*rubbing hands together* This is where things get interesting. Anyone could tell you Scherzer, deGrom, yadda, blabbedy, blue are top 20 starters. I could ask some bean counter in Modesto, California who the top 20 starters and he’d know, and he counts beans! Anyone can count beans! Honestly, why is he counting beans? Seems like a waste of time. Any hoo! The top 40 starters for 2019 fantasy baseball is a bit like the top 20 for 2019 fantasy baseball. It could go dozens of ways. This is the way I went. Here’s Steamer’s 2019 Fantasy Baseball Projections for Hitters and 2019 Fantasy Baseball Projections for Pitchers. All projections listed are mine and I mention where I see tiers starting and stopping. Anyway, here’s the top 40 starters for 2019 fantasy baseball:
CLICK HERE FOR TOP 20 STARTERS FOR 2019 FANTASY BASEBALL
21. Jameson Taillon – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Price. I call this tier, “Just put the cap of toothpaste on without mentioning it.” In the narrative of “You Were Meant For Me” by Jewel, she makes a point of saying she put the cap back on the toothpaste. Yes, that’s good, but you have to point it out? How about you just put the cap back on without mentioning it? That’s this tier, putting the cap on the toothpaste without pointing out what a great person you are for doing the only conscionable thing you can do after removing the toothpaste cap, i.e., these pitchers are good without drawing attention to it. As for Taillon, if he were traded to the Astros, I’d be all up in Taillon’s meat groove, and would rank him in the top 15 overall. For the last two years, Taillon has had a 8.4 K/9, which means he’d be a 12 K/9 guy on the Astros. Here’s Ray Searage, “It’s better if you throw to contact.” Shut up, Searage, and get your wet blanket off Taillon! 2019 Projections: 13-11/3.47/1.15/185 in 196 IP
22. Zack Wheeler – If we were just ranking per pitchers’ 2nd halves, then Wheeler would be ranked 2nd overall. Though, Trevor Williams would be 1st. Though, Part 2: How Many Of Those Thoughs You Got? deGrom would be 3rd. Wheeler’s 2nd half: 1.68 ERA, 3.47 xFIP, 8.8 K/9, 1.8 BB/9 and 20.4% K-BB%. The biggest change from 1st to 2nd half was the lowered walk rate, increase in fastball velocity and frequency he threw his slider. He had the best fastball in the 2nd half, up from the 33rd best fastball in the 1st half. If the velocity holds, Wheeler could easily be a top 10 pitcher. I don’t know how much I believe it…Actually, to mansplain, I do know how much I believe it. I believe it to draft him 24th overall for starters. 2019 Projections: 13-9/3.51/1.14/196 in 194 IP
23. Jose Berrios – I could’ve called this tier a solid number two, and a number one in a pinch with just a bit more risk, which is different than a risky pinched number two. At least one guy in this tier will be ranked in the top 10 overall for starters next year (and at least one will be ranked out of the top 40, but hush that fuss). If I were a gambling man, I’d say Berrios’s trends say he’s the most likely to breakout of this tier. He’s also the riskiest. 2019 Projections: 13-10/3.60/1.15/205 in 196 IP
24. J.A. Happ – Here’s what I said this offseason, “Re-signed with the Yankees. To get a deal, Happ didn’t even have to tell anyone how he’d hypothetically strike out Babe Ruth. Have you heard about this? Adam Ottavino said he would strike out Babe Ruth. Offseason NFL is about who murdered who, offseason MLB is hypotheticals about superstars who have been dead 70 years. Yo, who says baseball is not lit? My thoughts on it, Ottavino’s a moron. Saying he’d strike out Ruth is like saying I’d beat Albert Einstein at a quiz on Game of Thrones mythology. Yeah, Einstein might struggle with that one. Or a less ridiculous hypothetical, a top scientist today vs. Einstein as they’re quizzed on current science trends. Any hoo! Happ’s had a Verlander-type resurgence the deeper his career has gone. Never sexy to rely on a 36-year-old, but if he can maintain a 9+ K/9 and 2.5-ish BB/9, then his xFIP will be under 3.90 and he’ll be worth owning in all leagues.” And that’s me quoting me! 2019 Projections: 13-7/3.77/1.16/181 in 170 IP
25. David Price – Here’s a flashy young name, huh? If you’ve followed the stylings of the Fantasy Master Lothario for an Urban Dictionary minute, it won’t be surprising to hear I battled myself to get Price in the below tier of guys I’m avoiding. “Rank him below” *smacks self across face* “Jesus Christ, that hurt!” *Smacks self again* “Stop being a baby!” “Seriously, stop slapping me, it fudging hurts!” “Fudging? What are you Ralphy in A Christmas Story? Grow a set!” *kicks self in balls* See, so you see I really battled myself, but I ended up ranking Price here knowing I might not draft him if any of the guys above are available. He really hasn’t been bad the last few years, even if a bit inconsistent on how many innings he throws. *steps on knuckles of a fallen Grey* “Please, self.” “You’re gonna curse the day you met me!” “You’ve made your point.” *slams head into wall* “Goddamnit!” 2019 Projections: 15-9/3.62/1.17/181 in 179 IP
26. Joey Lucchesi – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Castillo. I call this tier, “The Hanging Gardens of Babylon Snapchat Filter.” By the tier name, these guys are wonders of the modern world. We’re not going back to olden times and marveling at Justin Verlander. We could care less what happened back in, say, 2016. These guys are for a modern world. As for Lucchesi, I already gave you a Joey Lucchesi sleeper. It was written by me, then renovated by The Property Brothers. 2019 Projections: 12-9/3.62/1.27/174 in 163 IP
27. Eduardo Rodriguez – I already gave you an Eduardo Rodriguez sleeper. It debuted on a song with Shaq and the Fu-Schnickens. 2019 Projections: 13-7/3.58/1.24/168 in 158 IP
28. Tyler Glasnow – I already gave you a Tyler Glasnow sleeper. It spraypainted an M on the front of a Carvel store, then melted a Fudgie the Whale with its eyes, after 45 minutes of staring at it out of its freezer case. 2019 Projections: 10-8/3.68/1.23/182 in 158 IP
29. Shane Bieber – I already gave you a Shane Bieber sleeper. It dated, on and off, Selena Gomez for six years. 2019 Projections: 13-7/3.45/1.12/154 in 156 IP
30. Luis Castillo – I should’ve written a sleeper post for Castillo too, but I did last year (oops) and his 1st half last year was so demoralizing. Plus, I went over him in the video at the top of the post. Everything clicked as it was supposed in the 2nd half (2.44 ERA, 9.4 K/9, 1.9 BB/9, 3.17 xFIP) and now I’m seeing the narrative we were missing all along. Know how I love starters heading into their third season? Bee eye en gee oh! As much as Castillo was on everyone’s radars last year? He should be on more radars this year and he’s on less. We should be expressing our gratitude for him killing people’s fantasy teams last year. You had no idea, but, if you owned him last year, your team was a martyr. You’ll now be listed with all of the great martyrs in history: your aunt Karen, your aunt Jodi, your aunt…Okay, every aunt is a martyr. 2019 Projections: 11-11/3.71/1.19/187 in 181 IP
31. Charlie Morton – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until Kershaw. I call this tier, “I’ve placed my foot on the back of your knee and I’m pulling.” By the tier name I mean, I’m attempting to pull your head out of your ass for overdrafting these guys, let’s see how well I do. Please rate and review my head-pulling-from-anus abilities on iTunes. As for Morton, here’s what I said this offseason, “Signed with the Rays. The Rays went out and got Morton because they’re suspicious of too many people realizing their opener trick. Kinda like how your dentist says, “Only one more filing,” then takes a pliers and rips out your back tooth. Or is that only me? Stupid Obamacare! I’m a bit surprised the Rays went out and got Morton. He doesn’t feel like the Rays’ type at all. (Mad Libs in name of player you’ve never heard of who they’re about to turn into someone good) feels like the Rays’ type. Morton had elbow issues at the end of last year, is 35 years old, and just threw the 2nd most IP of his career. I don’t know, Rays, I think the Astros might’ve Jokey Smurf’d you. I won’t be going out of my way to draft Morton this year.” And that’s me copying and pasting me! 2019 Projections: 9-6/3.54/1.18/159 in 144 IP
32. Madison Bumgarner – I have a fun idea. Get a giant, uh, Giants fan and have Bumgarner pretend to be his Uber while driving on a motorcycle. On one hand, they wanna wrap their arms around Bumgarner. On the other hand, there’s a 35% chance you’re going to end up falling and breaking your right side. I had no doubt I wanted Bumgarner in a tier of pitchers I didn’t want, but I considered lowering him even further. This is where we get into trouble, because someone is going to say something like, “What if Bumgarner and Pivetta are both on the board? Who do you draft?” Pivetta is someone who I haven’t ranked yet, but I do like him as you know from my sleeper post. I draft Pivetta over Bumgarner even though Bumgarner is ranked above him, and you’re giving a hypothetical that would never happen. Bumgarner is being drafted in front of pitchers I like who I ranked before him. Bumgarner would never be an option with Pivetta. 2019 Projections: 10-9/3.67/1.20/178 in 206 IP
33. Chris Archer – You, with your doe-eyes, “Any interest in Archer this year?” Me, cynical and judgy, as I stare blankly at you. With your luck, if you draft Archer, not only will he have a 4+ ERA again and a 1.35+ WHIP again, but he will also cut down on his Ks because Ray Searage looks at every pitcher like they’re a grease fire. Stop throwing baking soda on everyone, Searage! 2019 Projections: 9-11/3.89/1.26/209 in 192 IP
34. Masahiro Tanaka – Yes, I will consider trading for Tanaka in the 2nd half. No, I will not be drafting him for his 8.75 April ERA, and 9.12 May ERA. 2019 Projections: 13-10/3.81/1.19/178 in 175 IP
35. Robbie Ray – A question direct from a final exam at the Fantasy Baseball College at Charleston, “Is a 12+ K/9 ever bad from a starter?” The professor rarely changes the question from year to year, or his sweatpants. So, we know the answer is, “Yes, when it comes with a 5+ BB/9.” I wanted to figure out a way to get excited for Ray, and he only needs to shave a little over one walk per nine off his walk rate, and has been there in the past, but, if I’m being honest, I don’t want to risk it after he made my team’s ratios look like a heroin den’s bathroom last year. 2019 Projections: 8-12/3.95/1.32/217 in 177 IP
36. Clayton Kershaw – I wanted to drop Kershaw even further, but ranking him this low already sets me apart from most, if not all other rankings. Could Kershaw have a Verlander-type reemergence as he moves into his 30’s? Certainly. Or soitenly, if someone is reading dressed as Curly Howard. You’re crumby with crackers if you’re drafting Kershaw because you know he will return to form. Let’s start with the good: his command is fairly stable, and terrific. Let’s list all the problems: velocity way down, can’t throw 200 IP anymore, chase rate is down, contact rate is way up, Ks are way down, xFIP is highest it’s been in six years, and he’s leaving less men on base. Honestly, I think I’m being optimistic by ranking him this high. He could be great, and might have a sub-3 ERA again, but it won’t come with elite Ks or a full season. UPDATE: Can’t play catch without coming away too sore to continue pitching. Bummed that more people didn’t draft this schmohawk before he came down with the “every pitcher who has thrown too many innings”-itis. Shame I didn’t even get to write a schmohawk post about him before it happened, so at least I can point to how correct I was, though I did tell everyone in the above blurb. I still would not touch him with a ten-foot pole. Or really even an eleven-foot pole. Actually, how big do poles come? Hey, Ivan Putski, any guesses? 2019 Projections: 10-4/3.10/1.07/126 in 131 IP
37. Kyle Hendricks – This is a new tier. This tier goes from here until the top 60 starters for 2019 fantasy baseball. I call this tier, “Sideways bosom.” There’s safety in numbers. The number three, for unstints, is safe. The number 3 also looks like a sideways bosom. What’s more comforting! These pitchers should be a fantasy number 3 like a sideways bosom. As for Hendricks, I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to nuzzle Hendricks coming into this year, but looking at his numbers leaves me feeling like an 8-year-old during an attachment parenting session. Two years ago, a 3.03 ERA. Last year, 3.44 ERA. Sure, it comes with a 7.3-ish K/9, but there’s no walks and it’s not a bad sideways bosom to latch onto. 2019 Projections: 13-9/3.51/1.16/158 in 194 IP
38. Miles Mikolas – On a side note about ADP, I know I won’t be able to draft Mikolas this late, but, if he happens to fall, I will happily take him. His K/9 last year was 6.55, which makes me want to put up a meh emoji, but his stuff reads to me more like a 7+ K/9 guy and, with his 1.3 BB/9, that will more than do. By the way, what’s with every pitcher who has pitched in Japan, or is Japanese, having incredible command? It’s almost like efficiency is taught in Japan. 2019 Projections: 13-9/3.61/1.12/165 in 202 IP
39. Nathan Eovaldi – Here’s what I said this offseason, “Re-signed with the Red Sox. Eovaldi is coming off his best season and has really started to find his strikeouts with his 97 MPH fastball. Plus, that command? *chef’s kiss* Okay, now to translate that into numbers. He had a 3.81 ERA with an 8.2 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9 and was able to throw 111 IP. Everything in the 1st sentence, lavishing praise, was accurate, and all those other numbers are true too, yet not very impressive. Eovaldi seems to have stumbled into the Red Sox hype machine. He was better in the 2nd half, but I see more of a potential decent fantasy number three.” And that’s me quoting me! 2019 Projections: 12-8/3.78/1.16/135 in 149 IP
40. Cole Hamels – Truth bomb alert! I had Hamels in a tier below of older, known starters and, specifically, Cubs starters I don’t want, but Hamels’s 2nd half was good enough for me to ignore the advancing age and hideousness of his fastball. He had a 3.69 xFIP in the 2nd half, improved ground balls and fewer fly balls, which is as important in Wrigley as a catheter to avoid urinals. 2019 Projections: 13-10/3.89/1.24/184 in 189 IP
