When we won the NFBC National Championship in 2014, Matt Shoemaker was an important piece solidifying our rotation. Upon promotion to the majors, many dismissed the rookie due to an unimpressive 4.64 ERA and 1.31 WHIP at AAA. However, the numbers he put up for the Salt Lake Bees need to be taken into the Pacific Coast League’s hitting context. I focused instead on the 5.8 K/BB ratio and 7.8 K/9. A fly ball pitcher moving from the PCL to Angels stadium was sure to improve, especially with one of the better defenses behind him. The formula for Shoemaker has always been simple. As long as he was in good health, had command and had his split-fingered fastball working, the bearded one was good on the road and elite at home.
Could Jaime Barria be the 2018 fantasy equivalent? His fastball sits at 92mph, ranging between 90-94, complemented by a plus changeup and an occasional curve, with a good speed differential between the fastball and the change. Barria’s changeup parallels Shoemaker’s splitter, and everything depends on the command and action of this change. The youngster was a fast riser, getting promoted from High A ball all the way up to AAA in 2017. The fact that the Angels brass trusts him this soon should telegraph something. I don’t want to oversell the prospect, there are risks with anyone this young and inexperienced, and this could end up being waiver fodder again in a couple of weeks, but the 2014 version of Shoemaker is the ceiling. It doesn’t hurt to have Ian Kinsler, Andrelton Simmons, and Zack Cozart gobbling up groundballs in the infield.
Nathan Eovaldi has always displayed good velocity. This year in spring training he’s throwing faster than I’ve ever seen him throw, lighting up the radar gun sitting between 97-99mph and even touching 101. The former Yankee has a great breaking ball moving right to left and down, moving in on lefties inducing lots of swing and miss. Coming off a second Tommy John surgery and yet bringing the extra heat on the fastball, he might be a decent source of K’s. The only problem is the heater is relatively straight and hitters seem to see it pretty well, so there is considerable risk in rolling him out. I’d only recommend him if either you’re desperate, OR you already have at least two elite WHIP anchors in tow and can absorb a Jason Hammel-esque type of clunker once in a while.
Amir Garrett opened a lot of eyes early on last year with his dominant outing against the Orioles in which he struck out 12 in 7 innings issuing just one free pass. Unfortunately a nagging hip injury worsened and the lefty’s outings started to resemble Kurt Ainsworth more than a rookie sensation. Supposedly healthy this season, the southpaw has regained some ticks on the fastball and the results have been impressive. During the spring Garrett demonstrated this wasn’t merely a bullpen boost of velocity. For whatever reason, the Reds brain trust has been going out of their way to avoid sliding the lefty back into the rotation, even signing Matt Harvey. Worth a pickup while he’s in the bullpen to avoid the ERA and WHIP bombs that Ian Kennedy and Wei-Yin Chen can throw your way. When Cincinnati looses their delusion that Harvey is still worth a roster spot, you have the next $50+ waiver pickup already in the fold.
Others arms to consider:
Joe Jimenez – some have given up on the Tigers future closer, or at least they needed the roster space and couldn’t wait. Shane Greene is unlikely to keep the gig past the trade deadline and the Tigers setup man is a perfect handcuff.
Jeremy Hellickson – flashing 2016 form for a team with a great offense.
Tyler Clippard – possible saves while Roberto Osuna is sidelined for off the field issues.
Brad Brach – not for the faint of heart, but the Orioles offense is clicking with Jonathan Schoop and Mark Trumbo back in the lineup. There are saves to be had here while Darren O’Day is out, packaged with some potential of ERA and WHIP damage.
Follow Greg @Liquidhippo.
