Fantasy Baseball: Jake Arrieta and 5 Under-the-Radar Starters You Can't Pass Up

It seems as if the MLB media world only focuses on a certain number of starting pitchers around the league.  You always hear and read in the news about Cole Hamels fantastic eight innings of work or Jon Lester’s brilliant three-hit shutout. 

And the list could go on and on, but what about the Orioles’ opening day starter Jake Arrieta?  Have you ever heard of Arrieta? 

Certainly—since he will essentially lead his team on the field this season—you are familiar with his name.

Not surprisingly, if you are not an avid Orioles fan, then I’m sure the name Arrieta isn’t brought up in conversation very often. 

Well, I’ve compiled a list of six starters, three from each league, who have flown under the radar this spring, but could play important roles for their respective clubs.

Check out the list and let me know what you think by leaving comments at the end!

1. RHP Jake Arrieta, Baltimore Orioles

Recently, I was catching up on the Orioles and their offseason rotation moves, and I saw a report that listed Arrieta as the fourth starter for the Birds. 

I was confused and very surprised to see him slated anywhere lower than third, and personally, I think he should be their No. 2. 

But, manager Buck Showalter makes those decisions and who am I to question them. 

In his second season at the major league level, Arrieta was leading the Birds for most of the season in wins when he succumbed to an elbow injury in July.  A bone spur was removed from his throwing shoulder in August, which sidelined him the remainder of the season.

Although his ERA of 5.05 is a bit on the high side, he was able to rack up 10 wins paired with eight losses last season.  If he were able to finish the year, he would have recorded at least 15 wins and definitely ranked among the American League wins leaders. 

However, this was not Arrieta’s spring.  Although he was 1-0 over his four spring training contests, his ERA sat at a lofty 6.14; he recorded 12 strikeouts over his 14.2 innings of work.

Obviously, there is still something there that draws the Orioles to him. 

Fantasy reports say to watch out for Arrieta because he has an explosive fastball, a great slider and a respectable change-up.  He’s only 26 years old—he still has a great deal to learn—but if last year is any indication of what’s to come, he’s certainly on the fast track to success.

2. RHP Shaun Marcum, Milwaukee Brewers

The veteran right-handed hurler for the Brewers has been tabbed with the fourth spot in a very strong starting five.  In his first season with Milwaukee, he impressed his new teammates as he picked up 13 wins, and suffered just seven losses paired with a 3.54 ERA.

Before he was traded to the Brewers, he spent his entire career north of the border with the Toronto Blue Jays.  Marcum notched 13 wins in 2010 for the first time in his career and he’s won at least 12 in three of the last four seasons. 

But, you never really hear his name mentioned.  Maybe that’s because he’s overshadowed by Zack Greinke and Yovani Gallardo.

Over his nine-year career, Marcum sports a 50-32 record and a very respectable 3.77 ERA.  In his last start of the spring against the Indians, he tossed five shutout innings, and did not issue a walk.  He’s dealing with a shoulder injury and might start the season on the DL.

I would say that Marcum is definitely someone to watch because he has something to prove being surrounded by prominent, established names. 

If he were on any other team, he could easily fill a second or a third starting pitcher role.  

3. RHP Ivan Nova, New York Yankees

Last season, Nova broke out and won 16 games for the Bronx Bombers in just his first full season with the major league squad. Not only did he post 16 victories, he suffered only four losses and pitched to a 3.70 ERA. 

So, although very impressive, Nova has much more to bring to the table.  He only started 27 games, and he won 16 of those contests.

What can he do if he makes between 33 and 35 starts?  Well, hopefully we will get the chance to see this season.

However, his spring ended on a rather low note.  Over his last three spring outings, he allowed at least four runs in each and an 8.06 overall ERA.  Not to mention, he’s yielded 22 hits over his last 13.2 innings of work. 

Nova made the rotation after Michael Pineda suffered an injury in spring training.  There’s no doubt that Nova has the ability to be a great pitcher at the major league level as he showed signs of last year. 

He just needs more experience.

I think he has a great opportunity this season to begin the year in the rotation and learn from the rest of the Yankees staff.

4. RHP Juan Nicasio, Colorado Rockies

I’m sure most of you have heard of Jhoulys Chacin, who is of course Nicasio’s teammate. 

But, I’m not sure too many MLB fans are familiar with the name Juan Nicasio. 

He earned the fourth spot in a somewhat strong starting rotation, behind Chacin, Jamie Moyer, and former Orioles ace—and now Rockies ace—Jeremy Guthrie.

In his first and only season in the major leagues, Nicasio showed promise as he went 4-4 with a 4.14 ERA in 13 games.  He tossed 71.2 innings and yielded 73 hits, 33 earned runs and rang up 78 opponents. His season was cut short due to a neck injury. 

Although Nicasio was tagged for four earned runs on eight hits over 4.2 innings in his last spring training outing, he still finished the spring with an impressive 3.90 ERA, and looks as if he is ready to get back out on the mound. 

Not too many people are talking about Nicasio, but the scouts seem to think very highly of the young righty.  He has an explosive fastball and is able to go deep into the games. 

I think he’ll put together an impressive sophomore season if he’s able to stay healthy.

5. RHP Jeremy Hellickson, Tampa Bay Rays

A couple of years ago, Jeremy Hellickson was the next big thing for the Rays, but last season didn’t go as smoothly as they hoped. In the ERA department, he excelled as he posted a very staggering 2.95 ERA. 

Although he won 13 times last season, he also dropped 10 contests.  Some of those losses, of course, are due to low run support, but most were expecting him to break out and win at least 15 games. 

In his short two-year career with the Rays, he’s 17-10 with a 3.04 ERA.  Not to mention, he’s only surrendered 178 base hits over his 225.1 innings pitched.  So, yes, he’s posted some impressive numbers, but look this season for him to record even more prominent statistics.

Hellickson will be featured as the third starter in a very strong Rays rotation and I think this is a great opportunity for him to learn and grow at the major league level. 

Not to mention, it’s a great chance for him to showcase his ability and I’m sure the Rays will be contenders in the playoff hunt.

6. RHP Jordan Zimmermann, Washington Nationals

Last season, Zimmermann pitched in a lot of tough-luck games for the Nationals and really took the brunt of a struggling and inconsistent offense.  He showed up to spring training with a great attitude and has really impressed the Nats and manager Davey Johnson.

He finished with an 8-11 record last year and, more importantly, he sported a very respectable, low 3.18 ERA.  This spring, he posted a 1-2 record with another low 3.38 ERA. 

In his short career with the Nationals, Zimmermann is 12-18 with a 3.84 ERA.  He’s allowed 280 base hits over his 283.2 innings of work, which is always an important sign.  He continues to improve each season, and I think this could be his breakout year.

With the addition of former Athletic Gio Gonzalez and the maturing of Stephen Strasburg ahead of him in the rotation, I think he’ll be able to learn a great deal as he continues to mature at the MLB level.