It seems that much of America survived the cold, snow and ice from last week. We pause now to give thanks and remember those still struggling. Before the next winter blast comes in, let us remember that spring training is underway in Florida and Arizona. That’s right, we can actually see opening day in baseball approaching! We at Belly Up Sports began a series of fantasy profiles last week with a look at new Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer. This time, we turn our attention to a former Bauer teammate and fellow Cy Young award winner. Join with us as we present this fantasy profile Shane Bieber.

Shane Bieber- A Breakthrough Rookie Season

Shane Bieber made his major league debut with Cleveland in 2018. He started 19 games that season, going 11-5 with a 4.55 ERA in 114.2 innings. Bieber also had a 1.334 WHIP and struck out 118 and walked 23. His walks per nine was 1.8, his strikeouts per nine 9.3, both solid numbers. The ERA and WHIP were higher than what you would want from a pitcher, but still Bieber had a solid overall rookie season. However, his performance was only a glimpse of what was to come.

Shane Bieber- All-Star Second Season

Bieber stepped up big in his second season, as he reached the upper echelon of pitchers. In 33 starts, Bieber went 15-8 with a 3.28 ERA, which ranked fourth in the American League. Further, he struck out 259 hitters, which ranked third, and walked only 40. Those weren’t the only categories that Bieber was at the top of the league that season. He had an outstanding 1.054 WHIP, which also ranked third.

Additionally, Bieber led the A.L. in complete games (3), shutouts (2) and walks per nine (1.7). And not coincidentally, Bieber was elected to his first All-Star Game. No question, Bieber had arrived as an established major league starting pitcher. Many players suffer what is known as the sophomore slump, but there were no such problems with Bieber. Once again, however, the best was yet to come.

Shane Bieber- Cy Young Award Winner

Everything came together in a major way for Bieber in 2020, even with the shortened regular season. Bieber made 12 starts and he finished with an 8-1 record with a 1.63 ERA, 122 strikeouts, 21 walks and an almost otherworldly 0.866 WHIP. He led the American League in wins, ERA, strikeouts, ERA+ (281), FIP (2.07), hits per nine (5.4) and strikeouts per nine (14.2). Not only that, he was the ace of a playoff team.

Just in case there was ever any doubt that Bieber was the most dominant pitcher in 2020, the baseball post season awards confirmed it. Bieber was the unanimous Cy Young Award winner in the America League, the first to do it since Justin Verlander in 2011. Obviously, everything came up roses for Bieber and those fortunate fantasy owners that drafted him last year. The question now is what does all this mean going forward?

Shane Bieber- a Look Ahead

Unlike Trevor Bauer, whose numbers have varied wildly in his career, Bieber’s have improved virtually across the board since his first major league season. True, he hasn’t pitched nearly as long as Bauer, but there certainly is a sufficient sample size to analyze. Bieber has seen his ERA, WHIP and hits per nine all decrease each season. His strikeouts per nine and ERA+ have both improved each year. His FIB was stable his first two seasons before plunging to a major league low in 2020.

Additionally, Bieber has shown that he can be durable, with over 200 innings pitched in 2019. He pitches into the seventh inning, if not more, almost every start. He plays for a playoff caliber team. Bieber truly is an ace, both in real life and in fantasy, and ranks just behind Gerrit Cole and Jacob Degrom as starters. In fact, ESPN projects Bieber as the tenth best player in all of baseball. There is no reason to believe that Bieber can’t maintain his numbers going forward or even improve on them.

In the final analysis, Bieber is absolutely worth the investment of a late first round draft selection and fantasy managers should have no hesitation calling his name when on the clock this season.

Thanks all for joining me for this fantasy profile Shane Bieber! As always, I welcome all input and comments from my readers. Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea, and be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports and Picks for all the latest MLB and sports news!