The fantasy baseball debate of how and when to draft starting pitching can be highly polarized. Some people will tell you that it is mandatory to make one or two first rotations to anchor your rotation.
Others will remind you of the great depth of the position and how you can wait a few rounds, stack some hitters and build your rotation.
Your league’s scoring system can help determine how you proceed, but the most important factor is reading the court, seeing what your opponents are doing, and assessing where the strongest value is in the early rounds.
But when it comes to the later rounds, everyone recommends pitching up.
Having one of the last round’s starting pitchers post breakout numbers is a huge plus.
Carlos Rodon throws straight batting practice in the backfield before a game against the Tigers.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Just ask whoever took Spencer Strider or Logan Gilbert last season or Carlos Rodon the year before.
While high-end picks like Jacob deGrom, Walker Buehler and Lucas Giolito flopped, those unheralded prospects helped their managers dominate pitching categories across the board.
Such gems may not be easy to find, but there are a few names to keep on your radar for upcoming drafts and waiver wires.
While some may doubt that lightning can strike twice for the Braves, Jared Shuster and Dylan Dodd are two names you should be familiar with.
Lefties are competing for the fifth spot, as Atlanta has already sent the oft-injured Mike Soroka to minor league camp.
Jared Shuster throws a pitch in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at CoolToday Park.USA TODAY Sports
Soroka could be back in the lineup, depending on how his hamstring heals, but given his history and the nature of injuries in general, both Shuster (the early favorite) and Dodd could be late-round gems.
You always have to take spring training numbers with a grain of salt, but so far both seem dominant. Shuster, who threw 48 ²/₃ innings at Triple-A Gwinnett last year, is solid in command of his three-hit arsenal and has a 1.45 ERA with a 0.59 WHIP and an 18-4 K-BB rate in 18 ²/₃ spring seasons. tickets.
Dodd received his Triple-A promotion late last year, but his four-pitch arsenal is strong, and he has a 0.69 ERA with a 15-2 K-BB in 13 spring innings. Shuster’s added seasoning could give him an early advantage, but both could be in the rotation this season.
Late round picks should never be discarded. Adding potential prospects like Shuster, Dodd, or even pitchers like Clarke Schmidt or Gavin Stone can be a difference maker in your league.
Some fantasy managers may still favor veterans like Michael Wacha or Mike Clevinger, but prospect scouting is what ultimately makes you a fantasy champion.
Howard Bender is the Head of Content for FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on Twitter at @rotobuzzguy and catch the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy baseball tips.