Spring training statistics can seem as meaningful as taking stock tips from a monkey, but sometimes there are performances that are too promising to ignore.
For example, Logan Webb had an ERA of 0.55, a strikeout/walk ratio of 22-2, a WHIP of 0.53, and an opponent average of 0.119 in 17 innings in the spring of 2021. He went on to go 11-3 with a 3.30 ERA and 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings.
Although the exhibition season stats won’t add points to your fantasy team, Lottreage believes these weapons are worth monitoring to see if spring success translates into benefits for your fantasy team. Masu.
Jordan Hicks is primarily known as an injury-prone former Cardinals (and Blue Jays) relief pitcher with a fastball that averaged 160 mph. After starting just eight games in his career, the flamethrower was signed by the Giants and turned into a starter.
In five spring games (17 innings), Hicks maintained a 2.65 ERA and 1.06 WHIP, with 14.8 strikeouts per nine innings (41.2 percent of the batters he faced) and held opponents to a .167 batting average. He also had a tremendous swinging strike rate (28.1 percent).
Hicks has allowed only one earned run in his last three exhibition starts (12/3 innings) with 22 strikeouts and six walks. In his last spring start, he pitched five no-hitter innings and recorded 10 strikeouts. His craziest stat in that game was 20 strikes on 72 pitches (27.8 percent).
This is obviously a small sample size, but it would be insane to ignore these numbers, even considering his 11.8 percent walk rate and lower velocity.
Should we be concerned that Hicks, who can play in over 85 percent of ESPN leagues, won’t reach triple digits every time he pitches? Not at all. He relies more on his sinker and reportedly spent the spring practicing with Webb, who finished second in Cy Young voting in 2023. Fantasy owners can only hope that the drop in velocity helps him control his pitches and lower his walk rate.
The 165 mph record may have been Hicks’ calling card in the past, but he and the Giants are looking to change that. These changes could be for the better, and the 27-year-old should be one to keep an eye on.
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Another former Cardinal, Jack Flaherty (9.9% registration), finished fourth in National League Cy Young voting in 2019 and has been trying to rediscover that magic ever since. He has posted a disappointing 23-15 record with a 4.42 ERA and 1.398 WHIP since 2019.
In six spring games with the Tigers, Flaherty posted a 2.95 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 15.3 percent swinging strike rate in 17¹/₃ innings. He struck out 26, walked four and held opponents to a .212 batting average. In his final start of the exhibition season, he had eight strikeouts in 4/3 innings for a swinging strike rate of 15 percent. He hasn’t thrown a free pass in his last three starts (13 square innings/₃ innings), but more importantly, his speed has improved.
Roto Rage believes that if Flaherty can maintain his speed and limit the number of walks he achieved in 2019 (2.5 walks per nine innings), he could be a great addition for the 2024 season. There is.
Other hurlers who had strong spring performances include Detroit’s Casey Mize (5.5% possession percentage), who finished the spring with a 1.29 ERA, Arizona State’s Ryne Nelson (1% possession percentage), and Mets’ Lewis Lewis.・Severino (15.9%) is mentioned. His walk rate is .176, and his opponent average is .176.
big hit
Jose Berrios SP, Blue Jays
He earned his first win of the season by allowing 6 hits and 2 runs in 6 innings with 6 strikeouts and only one free pass.
Adley Rutschman C, Orioles
According to MLB, he went 2-for-4 with two hits, two runs batted in, and three RBIs on Thursday, making him the first player since Joe LaHood (1968-72) to reach base safely in his first eight at-bats.
Corbin Burnes SP, Orioles
In his debut with Baltimore, he allowed one run (a solo home run to Mike Trout), but had 11 strikeouts and no walks. His swinging strike rate was 12.2.
Pablo Lopez SP, Twins
In the spring opener, he allowed six home runs in 14 innings, but in Thursday’s opener he had seven strikeouts, no walks, and one run allowed in seven innings.
big whiff
Kyle Freeland SP, Rockies
He continued his solid spring on Opening Day, allowing 10 hits and 10 runs in 2¹₃ innings. And the game wasn’t even played in Colorado!
Luis Arraez 2B, Marlins
He led the majors with a batting average of .354 last season (he hit .316 in 2022 to win the AL Hitter’s Award), but on Thursday he was 0-for-6.
Kyle Schwarber OF (Phillies)
Hopefully his exhibition season, in which he struck out in 45.5 percent of his at-bats, hit .132, and didn’t hit a home run in 44 at-bats, isn’t a sign of things to come.
Framber Valdez SP, Astros
From 2020 to 2023, he appeared in 95 games and had 2.9 walks per nine innings. Against the Yankees, he threw six free passes (11.6 of 9), tying his career high.
check the swing
– Paul Goldschmidt had a terrible spring with a .128 batting average, .477 OPS, and 20 strikeouts. He looked terrible. He had three hits and one home run in four at-bats in St. Louis’ opening game. I say it again, class: Spring training numbers don’t matter!
– Tyler O’Neal has proven that he should be a staple in your fantasy lineup, at least for Opening Day. According to Elias Sports Bureau, the Red Sox outfielder became the first player to hit a home run in five consecutive opening games. Yogi Berra, Gary Carter and Todd Hundley have won four in a row.
– Any pitcher would do well against Oakland, but Shane Bieber allowed only four hits and 11 strikeouts in six shutout innings in the season opener. This was his fifth consecutive Opening Day start, and he posted a 0.94 ERA in those games.
This week’s team name
Look Out Vero
