Veteran Pitchers Prove Their Worth in Fantasy Baseball
In the world of fantasy baseball, it’s often the seasoned veterans who prove to be the most valuable assets. This season, several older pitchers defied expectations and delivered impressive performances, making them top contenders for fantasy MVP awards.
One such pitcher is Chris Sale, who was traded to the Atlanta Braves in the offseason. Despite his injury-prone past, Sale managed to eclipse 100 innings pitched for the first time since 2019 and notched a career-high in wins. His dominant performance earned him his eighth All-Star nod and made him a strong candidate for the Cy Young award.
Other notable pitchers who exceeded expectations include Seth Lugo of the Kansas City Royals, Shota Imanaga of the Chicago Cubs, and Sean Manaea of the New York Mets. Lugo, a late-round pick, finished among the league leaders in wins, ERA, and WAR, while Imanaga, who was largely overlooked in fantasy drafts, did not permit an earned run over his first three starts and continued his success throughout the season. Manaea, who signed a one-year deal with the Mets, posted the best season of his career and became New York’s most valuable pitcher.
In the relief pitcher category, Kirby Yates of the Texas Rangers emerged as the biggest value in 2024. After saving just seven games since his outstanding 2019 campaign, Yates was largely ignored in drafts. However, he went on to become one of fantasy’s top closers, earning him the MVP award among relievers.
On the other hand, some pitchers failed to live up to their draft day value. Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves, who was a top-10 pick in many fantasy drafts, reported elbow discomfort just two starts into the season and underwent major surgery, ending his season prematurely. Camilo Doval of the San Francisco Giants, who was the first relief pitcher selected in many ESPN standard formats, struggled with his control and eventually earned a demotion to the minor leagues.
Leave a Reply