Everyone is searching for the "sleeper" pick that can win their league, and it's true--sleepers and free agent pickups often do make enough of a difference to win fantasy titles. That's what I'm here for. Here are some starting pitchers currently being drafted outside the Top 200, who can really provide a spark to your team with your last pick.
Ervin Santana, Minnesota Twins (ADP-248, Other positions: none)
Santana has a reputation for being up-and-down for fantasy owners, but over the past two seasons he's been consistently solid. Last year his ERA hovered near 4.00 with the Atlanta Braves, but his FIP indicates that was a little unlucky. He managed 14 wins, and while he doesn't excite me as a wins guy with the lowly Twins, Ws are too difficult to predict to just assume that he'll have a losing record.
He still has good velocity, and his K/9 jumped to 8.22 from 6.87 the previous season in Kansas City. He's also kept his walks down at a reasonable level, and Target Field is a boon for pitchers. Santana is the type of player that can be a rock for your fantasy staff if you're hit by a blitz of injuries.
Kevin Gausman, Baltimore Orioles (ADP-256, Other positions: none)
Gausman is currently slated to be the Orioles' fifth starter, but by season's end he may be an anchor for that staff. Last season was Gausman's first lengthy run in the big leagues, and even though he failed to light the world on fire, he was impressive.
In 113.1 innings Gausman was 7-7, posting a respectable 3.57 ERA with a less exciting 1.31 WHIP. Gausman walked a bit too many batters in 2014, but entering the year from Opening Day he should get his strikeout numbers back to their minor league levels. 24-year-olds with mid-90s heat and the prospect of big-time run support usually can't be found so late in drafts.
Taijuan Walker, Seattle Mariners (ADP-272, Other positions: none)
The luster seems to have come off of Walker some, which is good news for smart fantasy owners like yourself. Walker has control problems last season, posting a 4.26 BB/9 over 38 innings. He also posted a 2.68 ERA, and stranded 81.3 percent of his baserunners.
Walker's fastball has hot sauce on it, and his curveball comes in a full 20 miles per hour fewer. He struck out more than eight hitters per nine last season, and should only get better. If he harnesses his control, this could be a breakout year. In keeper leagues especially, get this guy on your squad.
Nathan Eovaldi, New York Yankees (ADP-323, Other positions: none)
Eovaldi's numbers at the MLB level haven't been overwhelming in his young career, but youthful pitchers that can throw 98-mile-per-hour gas can't be ignored. For someone throwing smoke like that Eovaldi's strikeout numbers are surprisingly low.
That may change in 2015, as he's reportedly working on a split-finger fastball this spring. The splitter is a big time strikeout pitch that is currently the bread-and-butter of rotation mate Masahiro Tanaka. If Eovaldi can mix that in with his big-time heat, he should add Ks to his arsenal. His 4.17 ERA is deceiving as well; last year his FIP was a full run less.
Shane Greene, Detroit Tigers (ADP-375, Other positions: none)
Greene filled in capably for the Yankees last season when injuries ravaged the rotation, putting up a 3.78 ERA in 78.1 innings of work as a rookie in a hitter's park. He struck out more than a batter per inning, and has the confidence to throw three different pitches while also occasionally mixing in a changeup. His fastball sits at 93 miles per hour and he has the ability to gas it up a bit more when he needs the extra horsepower.
He will join a Tigers lineup full of run producers, and there won't be a ton of pressure on him as the fifth starter in a loaded rotation with no credible threats behind him.
All ADP rankings courtesy of Fantasy Pros
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