Post by Steve on May 15, 2015 21:32:07 GMT -5
With this article, I factor in production, talent ratings, contract, and age for the true outcome of their value…I weigh talent ratings along with age more, and this could be a good guide to see who truly the best valuable AL SP on the market is. Here we go:
Top 10 AL SP
1. Paul Ryan- PITT- Age 27- I struggled between both of my guys. I put Ryan above, because he’s got more reversals left, he’s pitching on his arbitration deal, and I can IRI him fully compared to his teammate on my list. He’s got the ability to strike out a ton of batters, and he’s proved himself to be a true Ace this past season. I really made out on that deal when I traded for Ryan when I traded one of my best SPs away whom was on this list before (Prior).
2. Matt Harvey- PITT- Age 26- He’s one of three guys with all brilliant talents, and he’s on a deal that’s just paying him $4 million through 2017. He’s won 50 games since I’ve acquired him with about a 2.7 ERA, and he’s a work horse. I still think he can develop his HRs and Walks since he’s still relatively young. He’s loyal which is another huge plus when I need to extend him. Nothing not to love here.
3. Jesse Biddle- FLA- Age 24- He’s got all of his brilliant talents where they need to be, and he’s had a solid two seasons to start out. He has all of his reversals left, and his IRIs as well which really makes him compelling. Ashes has his next stud in the rotation, and he should lead the Marlins for quite a few years. He’s got a bright future.
4. Jordan Zimmerman- MIN- Age 29- Yes, I know he’s a soon to be 30 year old SP, but I’ve always been a huge fan of this guy. His WHIP is incredible, and just look at that 2012 season. He’s an absolute stud, and I’d love to have this guy on my team. I also hate that I have to see him in my division on a resurgent Twins team. He’s fabulous.
5. Danny Hultzen- ATL- Age 26- I really like this guy, and I believe Seattle at one point had this guy and Paul Ryan. Both are now in the top 5 of these value rankings. There could be a case of Hultzen being ahead of J Zimm, and I wouldn’t necessary argue that, but I also don’t know if he’ll produce like J Zimm. Anyway, this guy and the next were comparable to some degree, but I think this was the right call.
6. Zach Wheeler- BAL- Age 25- Jah got a big PD to him, and now he is going to be the future ace for the Orioles. He’s got a chance to become a really good SP, and if he develops just right…he could be a true ace. Hultzen and Wheeler have had some reversals so it does hurt their overall value a little bit. Both guys, however, can be fully IRId which will help them become outstanding pitchers.
7. Clayton Kershaw- TOR- Age 27- Love Kershaw, and he’s probably higher if it wasn’t for him being on this contract. If he gets unlucky PD-wise, then that’s when his contract could turn very ugly. He’s got great stuff, and he’s been money in the bank for the last four seasons. However, his problem is, he gets no run support from his team. Game needs to capitalize, and start making win-now moves to take advantage of Kershaw’s greatness. He can also be IRId (3 left) which can make him even better!
8. Yu Darvish- FLA- Age 29- He’s an absolute stud. His last two seasons have been really, really fantastic. He’s just been reversed once. I believe with his stip that he can’t be IRId, but it’s not a total big deal since he’s basically maxed out at his talent level anyway. He’s loyal, and I think will sign a better deal than the one he’s currently on. Who knows, though? People inquire about this guy…he’s pretty damn good.
9. Junichi Tazawa- TAM- Age 29- He’s been an elite SP for quite some time. He was phenomenal in this past postseason as well. He’s a much talked about SP in terms of overall value, and I really do like him, but that contract makes it hard for some teams to trade for which is understandable. I think the biggest selling point here is that he has all of his reversals to protect him until age 34. If he does get traded, it will be very interesting to see what Stool gets.
10. Michael Wacha- MON- Age 24- I was debating a few guys, but I’ll go with Wacha here since he’s untouched besides the TIA being used. If Kobe can get his hits up, then he’ll be awesome. I looked at Alex Colome from DET, but he’s got no reversals left. Bundy from TOR is interesting, but his double talent seems like it could kill him and he’s been reversed a few times. I looked at Mad Bum, but he just doesn’t really have great trade value. That contract blows, folks.
Honorable Mentions: Dylan Bundy (TOR: Age 23), Alex Colome (DET: Age 27), Kevin Gausman (FLA: Age 25), Tanner Scheppers (FLA: Age 29), and SP Hyun-jin Ryu (PITT: Age 29)
Top 3 AL SP Prospects
1. Braden Shipley- PITT- Age 24- I lucked into a major PD that has made Shipley one of the rare all brilliant talent SPs. He’s been reversed, and only has 3 left, but he very easily could be franchised if I can up his duration. He’s basically ready now, but I am probably keeping him down for at least a month. I want him to continue to develop at a nice clip.
2. Lucas Giolito- MON- Age 21- He’s a few years younger, but he also has been reversed a few categories which makes him a slight risk. Still, I like the player a lot. Brilliant in the three most important talents, and is close to being ready. He needs one more season I believe, and he’ll be ready for the show next season.
3. Michael Stiefel- ATL- Age 24- Debated three guys here…Jake Thompson was in the discussion, but I hate seeing a fair in doubles, and the bigger thing is he’s been reversed five times so he just has one left. I’m worried by that. The other guy was Jon Gray from Florida, but I’ll take Stiefel just because if you can up his duration than I’d rather have Stiefel in a heartbeat. This was a pretty tough call.
Bash away, folks!
Top 10 AL SP
1. Paul Ryan- PITT- Age 27- I struggled between both of my guys. I put Ryan above, because he’s got more reversals left, he’s pitching on his arbitration deal, and I can IRI him fully compared to his teammate on my list. He’s got the ability to strike out a ton of batters, and he’s proved himself to be a true Ace this past season. I really made out on that deal when I traded for Ryan when I traded one of my best SPs away whom was on this list before (Prior).
2. Matt Harvey- PITT- Age 26- He’s one of three guys with all brilliant talents, and he’s on a deal that’s just paying him $4 million through 2017. He’s won 50 games since I’ve acquired him with about a 2.7 ERA, and he’s a work horse. I still think he can develop his HRs and Walks since he’s still relatively young. He’s loyal which is another huge plus when I need to extend him. Nothing not to love here.
3. Jesse Biddle- FLA- Age 24- He’s got all of his brilliant talents where they need to be, and he’s had a solid two seasons to start out. He has all of his reversals left, and his IRIs as well which really makes him compelling. Ashes has his next stud in the rotation, and he should lead the Marlins for quite a few years. He’s got a bright future.
4. Jordan Zimmerman- MIN- Age 29- Yes, I know he’s a soon to be 30 year old SP, but I’ve always been a huge fan of this guy. His WHIP is incredible, and just look at that 2012 season. He’s an absolute stud, and I’d love to have this guy on my team. I also hate that I have to see him in my division on a resurgent Twins team. He’s fabulous.
5. Danny Hultzen- ATL- Age 26- I really like this guy, and I believe Seattle at one point had this guy and Paul Ryan. Both are now in the top 5 of these value rankings. There could be a case of Hultzen being ahead of J Zimm, and I wouldn’t necessary argue that, but I also don’t know if he’ll produce like J Zimm. Anyway, this guy and the next were comparable to some degree, but I think this was the right call.
6. Zach Wheeler- BAL- Age 25- Jah got a big PD to him, and now he is going to be the future ace for the Orioles. He’s got a chance to become a really good SP, and if he develops just right…he could be a true ace. Hultzen and Wheeler have had some reversals so it does hurt their overall value a little bit. Both guys, however, can be fully IRId which will help them become outstanding pitchers.
7. Clayton Kershaw- TOR- Age 27- Love Kershaw, and he’s probably higher if it wasn’t for him being on this contract. If he gets unlucky PD-wise, then that’s when his contract could turn very ugly. He’s got great stuff, and he’s been money in the bank for the last four seasons. However, his problem is, he gets no run support from his team. Game needs to capitalize, and start making win-now moves to take advantage of Kershaw’s greatness. He can also be IRId (3 left) which can make him even better!
8. Yu Darvish- FLA- Age 29- He’s an absolute stud. His last two seasons have been really, really fantastic. He’s just been reversed once. I believe with his stip that he can’t be IRId, but it’s not a total big deal since he’s basically maxed out at his talent level anyway. He’s loyal, and I think will sign a better deal than the one he’s currently on. Who knows, though? People inquire about this guy…he’s pretty damn good.
9. Junichi Tazawa- TAM- Age 29- He’s been an elite SP for quite some time. He was phenomenal in this past postseason as well. He’s a much talked about SP in terms of overall value, and I really do like him, but that contract makes it hard for some teams to trade for which is understandable. I think the biggest selling point here is that he has all of his reversals to protect him until age 34. If he does get traded, it will be very interesting to see what Stool gets.
10. Michael Wacha- MON- Age 24- I was debating a few guys, but I’ll go with Wacha here since he’s untouched besides the TIA being used. If Kobe can get his hits up, then he’ll be awesome. I looked at Alex Colome from DET, but he’s got no reversals left. Bundy from TOR is interesting, but his double talent seems like it could kill him and he’s been reversed a few times. I looked at Mad Bum, but he just doesn’t really have great trade value. That contract blows, folks.
Honorable Mentions: Dylan Bundy (TOR: Age 23), Alex Colome (DET: Age 27), Kevin Gausman (FLA: Age 25), Tanner Scheppers (FLA: Age 29), and SP Hyun-jin Ryu (PITT: Age 29)
Top 3 AL SP Prospects
1. Braden Shipley- PITT- Age 24- I lucked into a major PD that has made Shipley one of the rare all brilliant talent SPs. He’s been reversed, and only has 3 left, but he very easily could be franchised if I can up his duration. He’s basically ready now, but I am probably keeping him down for at least a month. I want him to continue to develop at a nice clip.
2. Lucas Giolito- MON- Age 21- He’s a few years younger, but he also has been reversed a few categories which makes him a slight risk. Still, I like the player a lot. Brilliant in the three most important talents, and is close to being ready. He needs one more season I believe, and he’ll be ready for the show next season.
3. Michael Stiefel- ATL- Age 24- Debated three guys here…Jake Thompson was in the discussion, but I hate seeing a fair in doubles, and the bigger thing is he’s been reversed five times so he just has one left. I’m worried by that. The other guy was Jon Gray from Florida, but I’ll take Stiefel just because if you can up his duration than I’d rather have Stiefel in a heartbeat. This was a pretty tough call.
Bash away, folks!