Fantasy Baseball Rankings 2012: AL-Only Starting Pitchers
Here are the 2012 LestersLegends Starting Pitcher Rankings for AL-Only leagues.
1. Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigersย
Coming off one of the finest seasons a pitcher has ever thrown (24-5 with a 2.40 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP and 250 Ks). He was unhittable.
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2. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Marinersย
Unfortunately, the wins could be hard to come by, but expect his ERA (3.47) and WHIP (1.22) to come down and his strikeouts (222) to go up.
3. C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankeesย
Turned in a typically solid 19-8, 3.00 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 230 Ks season.
4. Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angelsย
Could see his wins increase, which would be impressive, considering the 18-8, 2.41 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 198 Ks he produced last year.
5. Jon Lester, Boston Red Soxย
I expect the Red Sox to be a much more disciplined team. Lester should be better than the 15-9, 3.47 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 182 Ks he produced last year.
6. Dan Haren, Los Angeles Angelsย
Haren and Weaver form a nasty one-two punch. His 16-10, 3.17 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 192 Ks can be bettered.
7. David Price, Tampa Bay Raysย
Anchors perhaps the deepest rotation in the league. He was only 12-13, but he still posted solid peripherals (3.49 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 218 Ks), so a bounce back should be in order.
8. James Shields, Tampa Bay Raysย
Returned to form with a 16-12, 2.82 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 225 Ks season.
9. Matt Moore, Tampa Bay Raysย
He could see his innings monitored down the stretch, but he has no fear and very few peers at his age.
10. C.J. Wilson, Los Angeles Angelsย
Escapes Texas, where he put up a 16-7, 2.94 ERA, 1.19 ERA, 206 Ks season. His road ERA last year was 2.31.
11. Josh Beckett, Boston Red Soxย
Health is a concern, but he made 30 starts last year and was highly effective (13-7, 2.89 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 175 Ks).
12.ย ย Ricky Romero, Toronto Blue Jaysย
Heย continues to improve. Last year he set career highs in wins (15), ERA (2.92), WHIP (1.14) and strikeouts (178).
Iโm not sure he can post another sub-3.00 ERA, but heโs definitely a solid third fantasy starting pitcher.
13.ย Micael Pineda, New York Yankeesย
I donโt love hisย move to the Yankees, at least for his peripherals (3.74 ERA, 1.10 WHIP), but his win total (nine) should increase.
14.ย ย Yu Darvish, Texas Rangersย
Heย comes in with a ton of anticipation and excitement. He was nearly unhittable in Japan. There is little reason to believe he wonโt be sensational over here.
15.ย Jeremy Hellickson, Tampa Bay Raysย
Itโs easy to overlook Hellickson, considering heโs in the same staff with David Price, James Shields and Matt Moore. Try not to overlook the 13-10, 2.95, 1.15, 117 season he posted.
16.ย ย Max Scherzer,ย Detroit Tigersย
Verlander was insane, but Scherzerย (15-9, 4.43, 1.35, 174) also turned in a solid year for the Tigers.ย ย
17.ย ย Ubaldo Jimenez, Cleveland Indiansย
Heย actually pitched worse when he was dealt by Colorado. Heโs too good not to bounce back.
18.ย Ervin Santana, Los Angeles Angelsย
He easilyย (11-12, 3.38, 1.22, 178) is one of the gameโs best No. 4 starters
19.ย Doug Fister, Detroit Tigersย
Heย wonโt be as good as he was after coming over to Detroit (8-1, 1.79, 0.84), but he should be a decent option.
20.ย Brandon Morrow, Toronto Blue Jaysย
Heย can rack up the strikeouts (207 Ks), but he is an ERA threat.
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