Hi Everyone. With all sports being postponed due to COVID-19, you still have more time to draft your fantasy baseball team! Throughout this ranking series, I will give my top 10 C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, OF, SP, and RP. Today’s countdown is all about the starting pitchers. This position is very important because starters only pitch once every five days. The main statistics I will be using for pitchers are W, K, SV, ERA, WHIP because these are the five categories for pitchers in fantasy baseball. Without further ado, here are my top 10 fantasy baseball starting pitchers.

10. Luis Castillo, Cincinnati Reds

Kicking off my top 10 fantasy baseball starting pitcher countdown is Luis Castillo. In 32 starts, Castillo went 15-8, with an ERA of 3.40, and a WHIP of 1.14. Castillo also struck out 226 batters in 190.2. Very impressive numbers from Castillo in 2019. With the Reds adding a few bats in the offseason, Castillo should be on pace for another 15+ win season. The Reds also added Trevor Bauer last year, which may take some pressure off Castillo, as he was the ace for most of last season. Castillo is a great young pitcher who is on track for another solid season.

9. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox

Coming in at my number nine fantasy baseball starting pitcher is Chicago’s Lucas Giolito. From leading the majors in earned runs in 2018 to being an all-star in 2019, Giolito had quite the turnaround. In 29 starts in 2019, Giolito posted an ERA of 3.41, a WHIP of 1.06, and struck out 228 batters in 176.2 innings pitched. Although the White sox were a sub-par team last season, Giolito was able to record 14 wins. The White Sox added a few key bats this offseason, so I could see Giolito with 17-plus wins this season. The 24-year-old is still young, but also has some experience in the MLB. I like Lucas Giolito this season because he is on a revamped White Sox team, and I think he has settled into the MLB.

8. Shane Bieber, Cleveland Indians

Ranking at number eight on my top ten fantasy baseball starting pitchers is Shane Bieber. Not to be mistaken with Justin Bieber, Shane had a breakout 2019 season with the Indians. In 33 games started, Bieber had an ERA of 3.28, a WHIP of 1.05, and rung up 259 batters in 214.1 innings. Along with these great numbers, Bieber pitched two complete-game shutouts. After facing the same hitters two to three times, usually pitchers struggle. Bieber has great stamina and nothing seems to phase him. Bieber had a record of 15-8 last season. Shane Bieber is a pitcher who will give you lots of innings while putting up ace worthy numbers.

7. Jack Flaherty, St. Louis Cardinals

My number seven fantasy baseball starting pitcher is Jack Flaherty. 2019 was a season not to forget for the 23-year-old. Flaherty took the mound 33 times last season. In those 33 games, Flaherty recorded an ERA of 2.75, a WHIP of 0.96, and punched out 231 batters in 196.1 innings. Although Flaherty did all he could to keep the opponent off the board, the Cardinals bats didn’t give him much support, as he only won 11 games in 2019. I think that number will go up in 2020 because the Cardinals have a solid offense. Jack Flaherty is one of the best young pitchers in today’s game, and fantasy owners should keep a close eye on this guy.

6. Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers

Coming in at my number six fantasy baseball starting pitcher is Walker Buehler. Like the previous four pitchers on this list, Buehler is a young, electric pitcher. In 30 starts, Buehler posted a record of 14-4, an ERA of 3.26, a WHIP of 1.04, and struck out 215 batters in 182.1 innings. Being a pitcher on the Dodgers must be a pitcher’s dream because of all the run support. If Buehler reaches the high teens in wins this year I wouldn’t be surprised. Not only is Buehler on a good team, but he is also a great pitcher. Buehler throws the ball at 95-plus MPH and has filthy offspeed stuff. Walker Buehler is a great fantasy baseball pitcher, and fantasy baseball owners should highly value him.

5. Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals

The first player to crack the top five on my top 10 fantasy baseball start pitchers is Washington’s Stephen Strasburg. Health has always been a concern for Stephen, but 2019 was one of his healthiest and most successful seasons yet. In 33 starts, Strasburg put up a record of 18-6, an ERA of 3.32, a WHIP of 1.03, and struck out 251 batters in 209 innings. Strasburg’s win total and innings pitched both led the national league. We all know what Strasburg did in the postseason, as he was named World Series MVP. I wouldn’t expect 18 wins from Strasburg this season because the Nats lost Rendon, but I think Strasburg will reach at least 13 wins this season. Stephen Strasburg has great fantasy value because of his experience and talent on the mound.

4. Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals

Ranking at number four on my top 10 fantasy baseball starting pitchers is Stephen’s Strasburg’s teammate, Max Scherzer. Although Max didn’t have 2019 that everyone was expecting, he is still one of the best pitchers in today’s game. In 2019, Scherzer took the mound 27 times, where he recorded an ERA of 2.92, a WHIP of 1.02, and rung up 243 batters in 172.1 innings. Max also posted a record of 11-7 in 2019. The 34-year-old is a three-time Cy Young Award winner. He had an off-year, which means he may drop a bit in this year’s draft, but Max Scherzer is still a quality ace for your team. Don’t let Mad Max’s off-year scare you away because he is still one of the best pitchers in the MLB.

3. Justin Verlander, Houston Astros

Making the top three of my fantasy baseball starting pitchers ranking is Justin Verlander. Although 35 years old, Verlander hasn’t slowed down one bit. In 34 starts, Verlander went 21-8, with an ERA of 2.58, a WHIP of 0.80, and struck out 300 batters in 223 innings. This man seems to just improve with age, as Verlander won a Cy Young in 2019. As a fantasy owner, you have to wonder when age is going to catch up to Verlander. For now, Verlander is a top tier starting pitcher, and fantasy owners should continue to invest in him.

2. Jacob deGrom, New York Mets

My number two fantasy baseball starting pitcher is Jacob deGrom. New York’s ace has been amazing. In 2019 deGrom started 32 games, went 11-8, posted an ERA of 2.43, a WHIP of .971, and struck out 255 batters in 204 innings pitched. All of Jacob’s numbers from 2019 are off the charts except his win total. For some reason, the Mets don’t give deGrom much run support when he is on the hill.

Despite only winning 21 games in the last two seasons, deGrom has won back to back Cy Youngs. This further proves how good deGrom is. Most pitchers have at least 15 wins when they win a Cy Young, but deGrom hasn’t even reached the teens in the past two years. Therefore, deGrom’s ERA, WHIP, Ks, etc. are so good that the wins become irrelevant. Jacob deGrom is one of the best fantasy baseball pitchers, and hopefully, on an improved Mets team, deGrom will get more wins.

1. Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees

My number one fantasy baseball starting pitcher is… Gerrit Cole! As a Pittsburgh Pirate, Cole was never a top tier pitcher. He had a few solid seasons, but nothing compared to what he has become. When Cole joined the Astros, he became a new pitcher. 2018 was Cole’s first year as an Astro. Cole had a very good season in 2018, but 2019 was special. In 33 starts, Cole went 20-5, with an ERA of 2.50, a WHIP of 0.89, and rung up 326 batters in 212.1 innings pitched.

All four of the fantasy baseball categories for a starting pitcher, Cole hit. He seemed to strike out 10-plus batters in more starts than not and didn’t give up many hits or runs. The main reason why I gave Cole the one spot over deGrom was because of the win totals. As a Yankee, Cole should be able to win 18-plus games. Gerrit Cole usually gets drafted mid-first round, so if you can snag Cole, he will be the anchor of your pitching staff.

My top 10 fantasy baseball C, 1B, 2B, SS ,3B, and OF are out! Be sure to check them out!

Stay on the lookout for my Top 10 Fantasy Baseball relief pitchers!

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