Lucas Erceg-Royals-RP
Lucas Erceg came on for the save in the Royals win over the Twins. Erceg pitched 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, and 0 K. He has now gotten the Royals last two save chances. The job was wide open for the taking when Hunter Harvey went on the 15-day IL. Erceg has the best skills of anyone in the Royals bullpen (3.14 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 28% K, and 7% BB). He has the chance to run with this job so he needs to be picked up immediately if he is still out there in your league.
Mitch Keller-Pirates-SP
Mitch Keller went 5 IP and gave up 8 ER on 8 H, 2 BB, and 2 K's against the Padres. Keller has a 3.95 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through 141.1 IP. He was having better success in terms ERA (3.56) but the skills underneath have taken a step back. His strikeout rate has dropped from 26% to 21%. His swinging strike rate has also dropped from 10% to 9%. The weird part of his profile is that he has a 3.56 ERA with below-average strikeouts and hasn't been overly lucky (.291 BABIP and 77% LOB). His 4.11 SIERA is the middle ground between his skills and production. Keller is the definition of a league-average starter. His next start will be on the road against the Rangers.
Bryan Woo-Mariners-SP
Bryan Woo went 7 IP and gave up 0 ER on 4 H, 0 BB, and 6 K's against the Tigers. Through 14 GS, Woo has a 2.06 ERA and 0.85 WHIP. Woo's greatest skill is his ability to control the strike zone (3% BB) because he isn't missing any bats (19% K). His swinging strike rate (10%) does suggest he could see more strikeouts but still not at an above-average level. His Stuff+ (104) also suggests this to be the case as well. Most of his success is due to getting lucky (.241 BABIP and 79% LOB) which is unsustainable over the long term which is why his 3.96 SIERA is much higher than his ERA. He's an above-average starter but not an elite starter as his ERA and WHIP suggest.
Cole Ragans-Royals-SP
Cole Ragans went 7 IP and gave up 1 ER on 5 H, 0 BB, and 8 K's against the Twins. Ragans has been able to back up everything he did at the end of 2023. He has a 3.18 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 29% K, and 8% BB. He has been able to maintain an elite strikeout rate while lowering his walk rate. Ragans has also been able to get more swinging strikes (15%) with a slight change in his pitch mix by throwing more sliders and fewer cutters. He has been able to hold his velocity gains as well which is a huge positive. Ragans is a top 20 starter who currently sits as the #16 SP in dollars earned. He gets a prime start against the Angels next week.
Tanner Houck-Red Sox-SP
Tanner Houck went 6.2 IP and gave up 2 ER on 6 H, 2 BB, and 3 K's against the Rangers. Houck has a 3.01 ERA and 1.15 WHIP through 146.2 IP. He has improved his walk rate (7%) and cut his home run rate in half (0.55 HR/9). Houck doesn't miss bats (21% K) as you would want from a dominant starter but he has a good walk rate and gets a ton of ground balls (55% GB). Pair those two skills with enough strikeouts (21%K) and it all works. It also helps that he has a delivery/arm angle that gives hitters problems. The only issue with Houck is how he will hold up considering his highest innings total was back in 2018 (119 IP) at High-A. He only threw 114.1 IP last year between the minors and majors. He gets two starts next week (@HOU and ARI).
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