With the first week of the fantasy baseball league season in the books it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on where you stand. While some experts will tell you to be patient and not overreact to a rough start, you also don’t want to be killed by patience if you have the opportunity to make a favorable move. Here is a look at four pitchers on the rise in MLB fantasy leagues right now.
SP: Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros
Keuchel blamed a lingering shoulder injury for his 2016 struggles. While there was obvious caution about his fantasy potential heading in to this season, he appears to be just fine now. Keuchel has put together four strong Grapefruit League starts followed by a dominant regular-season debut against the Seattle Mariners. Keuchel held the Mariners to two hits over seven shutout innings while striking out four. Then he held the Kansas City Royals to one earned run on two hits while striking out four over seven innings in his second start. With a 0.64 ERA and a 0.50 WHIP through his first two starts it’s clear Keuchel is on track to bounce back this season. You won’t want to overpay for him after two solid starts. However, if you can trade for him at a decent price then don’t be shy to pull the switch to acquire Keuchel.
SP: Lance McCullers, Houston Astros
Unlike Keuchel, McCullers really struggled in his final two Grapefruit League starts. However, the 23-year-old has settled down in his first two starts of the regular season and he has looked terrific. McCullers has allowed four earned runs over his first 13 innings in wins over the Mariners and Royals. He has scattered 11 hits over those 13 innings with a ridiculous 17 strikeouts. McCullers owns some absolutely filthy stuff including a ridiculous curveball that is clearly his best pitch. His fantasy stock is boosted by the fact that his strikeout upsides are so high. Consider McCullers as a fantasy pitcher on the rise right now.
SP: Dylan Bundy, Baltimore Orioles
Bundy threw his slider 16 times in his regular season debut against the Toronto Blue Jays. With that pitch, he threw 13 strikes, recorded three strikeouts and didn’t give up a base runner against a pretty dangerous offense. Bundy has the arsenal to be a top-50 pitcher and he showed it when he gave up just one earned run on four hits over seven innings of work in the win over Toronto. Bundy also boasts strong strikeout upside so don’t sleep on him as a pitcher on the rise in fantasy baseball leagues.
RP: Greg Holland, Colorado Rockies
Holland has looked solid since returning from Tommy John surgery. He has converted saves in each of his four appearances and hasn’t allowed a hit in any of those games. Holland is a talented pitcher but the two biggest question marks surrounding him involve durability and pitching at Coors Field. Holland should be able to handle the save situations. As long as he remains healthy, he is a closer option that is worth a roster spot in fantasy baseball leagues.
RP: Joaquin Benoit, Philadelphia Phillies
Benoit is not a new name. He’s not a young gun who is about to burst onto the scene. He’s merely a veteran journeyman who happens to find himself in a quality role all of the sudden. Benoit has been named the closer of the Philadelphia Phillies. While it’s not the sexiest role, it’s still a closer role and that’s key. Saves are an important category in MLB fantasy.
This came about as Jeanmar Gomez has lost his shot at the job. It seemed like it was just a matter of time before that was going to happen as Gomez has an ERA of 15.00 so far this season. Benoit isn’t exactly the future at the position but he is a solid reliever. He had a 2.81 ERA last season while averaging over a strikeout per inning. So far this season, he’s tossed three scoreless innings. Benoit is 39 years old, which is a concern, but he’s worth owner for now if you’re in MLB fantasy.
Hector Neris is a very talented pitcher that could take eventually move into the role but as long as Benoit is solid, he’ll be relevant in MLB fantasy.
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