Summer has arrived as June is upon us. The race to win championships in fantasy baseball is just now heating up. Not surprisingly, since my last article, players have given way to injury and/or poor performance. Managers are searching far and wide for replacements. As always, I am here to help, this time with my fantasy baseball deep dive pitchers edition.

After my fantasy baseball summer pickups article was published, it was pointed out by several readers that many of the selections simply were not available. I will attempt to combat that issue by choosing only players that are less than ten percent owned in ESPN leagues. To be quite honest, I have no idea as I type this where we will end up. No question, suspense is in the air! As that is the case, shall we proceed? As always, debate and discussion are encouraged.

Zach Greinke, Kansas City Royals, 5.0% Owned

I want to be clear here. This fantasy baseball deep dive pitchers recommendation for Zack Greinke is for his next coming start. Nothing further. On top of that, this recommendation is for those participating in points leagues, not a cat’s league. An examination of his 1-5 record indicates a pitcher that won’t bring wins to his fantasy manager.

However, a deeper look reveals a pitcher that can provide fantasy relevance in other areas. After getting bombed by the Twins for seven runs in his last April start, Greinke has been pitching rather well. In his last six starts covering 31.1 innings, he has allowed a grand total of eight earned runs. Further, he has walked just three batters in that same time period. Other than that turn against Minnesota, Greinke hasn’t walked more than one batter in any of his starts in 2023. Without question, that stat goes a long way in explaining his excellent 1.12 WHIP.

He doesn’t have wins to show for it, but, then again, the Royals are currently a sorry excuse for a baseball organization. Greinke won’t go deep into games, but he also won’t be gone before completing the fifth inning. In today’s game, that is about all one can expect out of a starting pitcher. Additionally, Greinke will provide counting stats for anyone who has him on the roster. Except for the Twins game, he was credited with positive fantasy points in every game. In fact, he has double digit fantasy points in seven games this season, including five out of the last six.

Key Reason to Add Greinke:

As has been mentioned many times in my articles in 2023, the matchup is a key element in examining who to add to a fantasy roster. Once again, such is the case here. On Tuesday, Greinke will face the Marlins in Miami. As pointed out elsewhere, the Miami home is truly one of the best pitcher’s parks in the majors. The Marlins hit better while on the road, unlike just about every other team. Greinke will provide quality fantasy stats in this one game. After that, feel free to return him to the shallow end of the waiver pool if inclined to do so.

JP Sears, Oakland Athletics, 6.9% Owned

Trust me, I am surprised as anyone that an Oakland A’s player has made it onto this fantasy baseball deep dive pitchers edition. Even so, JP Sears has earned a spot, at least for this week. Since getting bombed for five runs by the Yankees on May 5th, Sears has made four appearances. In those starts covering 22.1 innings, he has given up a total of six earned runs. In three of the four, Sears faced the potent offenses of Texas, Houston and Atlanta. Kind of a murderer’s row, wouldn’t you say?

Managers might look to his 0-3 win-loss record and 4.37 ERA and determine that Sears isn’t worth examining any further. That would be a mistake. Most of that damage was caused in two starts: the one against New York and against the Angels, in which he allowed five runs in 5.1 innings. In all other starts, Sears has allowed three or fewer runs except one.

Unlike many pitchers, Sears will give a manager, both real and fantasy, more than five innings. Sears has pitched into the sixth in seven starts. He has lasted less than five innings in only twice. Best of all, Sears is consistent: he has delivered double digit fantasy points in seven of his last nine trips to the mound. He doesn’t beat himself with bases on balls as he has walked just three hitters in his last five starts. What he isn’t is a strikeout pitcher, as he has just 54 in 59.2 innings. In every other aspect, though, Sears delivers anything a fantasy manager could be looking for.

Sears’ Week Ahead:

To begin the week, Sears will face the Pirates in Pittsburgh Monday. The Pirates are a middle-of-the-pack offensive team except that they rank 25th in homers, 22nd in RBIs and 21st in strikeouts. They are top ten in walks, but as noted above, Sears doesn’t have a problem in that area. Pittsburgh isn’t nearly the juggernaut they were at the beginning of the season. I am assuming that no one is surprised by that.

At the very least, managers can expect Sears to pitch into the sixth, and post good fantasy numbers. Sears is set for a two-start week. No question, those that have him on their rosters can focus their attention elsewhere as one starting spot is in great hands.

Clarke Schmidt, SP/RP, New York Yankees, 4.4% Owned

Much like Sears, many a fantasy manager will look at Clarke Schmidt’s win-loss record (2-5), ERA (5.01) and whip (1.51) and pay no further attention. Just as with Sears, such would be a mistake for anyone searching for pitching help. On May 14th, Schmidt was lit up by the Rays to the tune of seven runs in 4.2 innings. In three starts since, Schmidt was allowed only three runs in 15.2 innings. In fact, since April 23rd, Schmidt has allowed more than two runs just twice in eight starts.

Unlike Sears, Schmidt IS a strikeout pitcher, with 65 in 55.2 innings. Also, unlike Sears, Schmidt can have issues walking people. In his last start Wednesday against Seattle, however, he walked just one, hopefully signaling he might get that under control. That remains to be seen, as Schmidt walked at least two in five straight starts before taking the mound against the Mariners.

Schmidt was brilliant against Seattle, shutting them out for 5.2 innings on just three hits while striking out seven. Amazingly enough, that wasn’t enough for a win, as the Yankees were blanked 1-0. As potent an offense as New York has, they leave it in the dugout when Schmidt pitches. In his previous outing against Baltimore, Schmidt allowed a single earned run and was the losing pitcher. It is not unreasonable to expect the Yankees will get that corrected soon enough and there will be plenty of runs to go around.

Schmidt’s Next Opponent:

When Schmidt takes the mound on Wednesday, he will face the White Sox at home. Chicago has been one of the most disappointing teams in baseball and their lack of offense is a huge reason why. Just look at the stats: BA (20), OBP (29), SLG (19), OPS (24), HR (19), SB (24) and last in BB. No question, the White Sox lack patience at the plate, which should benefit Schmidt greatly. When his fantasy stats start to roll in, managers will notice, and his ownership percentage will skyrocket. Add him now before that happens.

Braxton Garrett, Miami Marlins, 5.3% Owned

Raise your hand if you had the Miami Marlins tied for second place in the N.L. East in the first week of June. I see no hands in the air, yet that is exactly where they are. Lots of things have gone right for the Marlins and without doubt, Braxton Garrett deserves his fair share of the credit. Like his pitching brethren above, Garret’s stats are obliterated by a couple of bad starts. Atlanta bludgeoned Garrett senseless with 11 runs over 4.1 innings May 3rd. In his next start, Arizona scored four off him in 5.1 innings.

Since then, however, Garrett has been stellar, allowing just three runs in 21.2 innings. One of those starts was in Colorado, so attention must be paid to Garrett on this fantasy baseball deep dive waivers edition. Except for the start against the Rockies, in which he only struck out three, Garrett has seven or more strikeouts in his last four starts. Further, he is well acquainted with the strike zone, as he has walked two or more batters in only two games in 2023. n his start against the Giants in San Fransisco May 5th, Garrett clearly demonstrated his capabilities. In that game, he allowed only a single base hit and no runs in 6.1 innings. Additionally, he struck out seven while walking just one.

Reasons for Optimism Regarding Garrett Entering Monday’s Start:

Similar results can be expected for Braxton on Monday, as the Marlins takes on the Royals in Miami. Kansas City has one of the worst offenses in baseball: BA (25), OBP (30), SLG (24), OPS (27), and HR (22). Their struggles don’t end there, either, as only six teams have more hitter strikeouts.

Just when you thought there couldn’t be any more good news, hold on, that’s not all. Miami’s home park ranks 23rd in hitting. Add it all together and this is the equation: Braxton’s pitching well, the Royals are sorry swinging the bat and the Miami ballpark is a pitcher’s paradise. Simply stated, add Braxton and get your week off to a wonderful beginning.

Roansy Contreras, Pittsburgh Pirates, 4.6% Owned

 As with Greinke above, this fantasy baseball deep dive pitchers recommendation is for one start, and one start only. Other than the fact that Roansy Contreras is facing the Oakland A’s at home on Wednesday, there’s not a lot to see here. To be fair, Contreras has faced some good hitting teams over last seven starts: St.L, Sea, Ari, Bal, Tor, TB, LAD. No one needs it to be pointed out that the A’s offense is a major step down in every possible way from those other teams.

On the season, Contreras is 3-4 with a 4.82 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and has 42 strikeouts and 28 walks in 56 innings. As I said earlier, not a lot to see, or even like, here. The key, as with every other pitcher on this list, is he is widely available. Of course, we would rather add a more desirable pitching candidate than Contreras. If that is not possible, hold your nose, select him, have him pitch against Oakland and then cut him immediately afterward.

Louie Varland, Minnesota Twins, 10% Owned

This next selection is more a keep your eyes on him than an outright recommendation on this fantasy baseball deep dive pitchers edition. In every respect, though Louie Varland has certainly earned it. Varland’s next start is against the Rays in Tampa on Tuesday. Going against the best offense in baseball in their home stadium is usually not a good strategy. However, Varland is coming off seven shutout innings against the Astros in Houston. Of course, pitching in Minute Maid Park is not for the faint hearted, but Varland pulled it off with spectacular results.

Varland’s stats are solid: 3-1 record, 3.51 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and he hasn’t walked more than two batters in a game this year. In fact, in his last four starts combined, he has only three bases on balls. Varland has improved his walk ratio this season (1.9 BB9) than he accomplished in the minors (2.8). Even more eye opening: Varland has won three of his last four starts. In the game he lost, Varland gave up three runs in six innings against Toronto. Clearly, Varland doesn’t shrink when he faces the better hitting teams.

Varland Conclusion:

As stated above, going up against Tampa is not something to be taken lightly. Even so, Varland has demonstrated that he can stare down the best hitters in the business. At this point, practically everyone has a pitching need in fantasy. If that is the situation you are in, add Varland to the roster and then consider whether to pitch him against the Rays. Even if the answer is no, he is a solid pitching addition, not just this week but for the long haul.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this top sleeper introduction edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news! The Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball Show will be live this coming Sunday night, and every Sunday during the season, at 8 eastern. Make sure to tune in on whatever social platform you use!