Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool: Strikeout Kings

Some reasonably available players to assist you in the Strikeouts category.  Realize that some of these will come with high ERAs & WHIPs because if a pitcher has low numbers in those categories and a good K total, they’re already spoken for.

Scott Baker, Minnesota Twins - Many wrote off Baker after his early struggles, but if his last two starts are any indication, he’s back.  He won both starts, striking out 18 batters along the way.  His ERA was 3.00 and his WHIP was 0.80.  His K/9 ratio was 10.8 and his K/BB ratio was 9.0.  On the year he’s 4-6 with 57 Ks, a 5.59 ERA, and 1.17 WHIP.  He’s owned in 48 perent of Yahoo!, 83.4 percent of ESPN, and 76 percent of CBS leagues.

Jorge de la Rosa, Colorado Rockies - Jorge continues to strike out batters at a solid clip.  He picked up 15 last week in two Wins.  His ERA was 3.55 and his WHIP was 1.34.  His K/9 ratio was 10.66 and his K/BB ratio was 2.5.  On the year he’s 2-6 with 72 Ks, a 5.08 ERA, and a 1.41 WHIP.  He is owned in 5 percent of Yahoo!, 3.2 percent of ESPN, and 16 percent of CBS leagues.

Gil Meche, Kansas City Royals - Meche was brilliant last night picking up 11 Ks in seven scoreless innings to beat the Indians.  On the year he’s 3-5 with 61 Ks, a 3.70 ERA, and a 1.43 WHIP.  He’s owned in 44 percent of Yahoo!, 79.6 percent of ESPN, and 79 percent of CBS leagues. 

Dave Bush, Milwaukee Brewers - Dave struck out 11 guys last week, but posted a 0-2 record along with a 5.73 ERA and 1.64 WHIP.  His K/9 ratio was 9.0 and his K/BB ratio was 1.83.  On the year he’s 3-3 with 56 Ks, a 4.58 ERA, and 1.26 WHIP.  He’s owned in 19 percent of Yahoo!, 7.4 percent of ESPN, and 54 percent of CBS leagues.

Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado Rockies - Ubaldo struck out nine Cardinals his last time out.  He gave up two runs in an eight-inning victory.  On the year he’s 4-6 with 66 Ks, a 3.91 ERA, and 1.38 WHIP.  He’s owned in 45 percent of Yahoo!, 34.1 percent of ESPN, and 82 percent of CBS leagues.

D.J. Carrasco, Chicago White Sox - Carrasco picked up 9 Ks in 6-2/3 Innings of relief (12.15 K/9) for the Sox.  He had a 1.35 ERA and 1.05 WHIP.  On the year he is 1-0 with 28 Ks with a 2.18 ERA and 1.21 WHIP.  He’s owned in less than 1% of fantasy leagues.  He’s not a source of Holds or Saves so his value is extremely limited.

Originally published at LestersLegends.com.