Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool – 2011 Strikeout Kings Vol. 4

Here are some reasonably available players to assist you in the strikeouts category. 

Realize that some of these players will come with high ERAs and WHIPs because if a pitcher has low numbers in those categories and a good K total, they’re already spoken for.

Bartolo Colon, New York Yankees

Colon had 21 strikeouts in 23 innings (8.2 K/9) over the past 15 days while going 1-1 with a 2.35 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP. On the year, he’s 3-3 with a 3.26 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP and 62 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings (8.4 K/9). Despite his success, Colon is owned in just 36 percent of Yahoo! and 41 percent of ESPN leagues.

Scott Baker, Minnesota Twins

Baker had 21 strikeouts in 18 innings (10.5 K/9) over the past 15 days while going 0-1 with a 3.50 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. On the year, he is 2-3 with a 3.65 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP and 61 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings (8.9 K/9). Baker is owned in 32 percent of Yahoo! and 12.6 percent of ESPN leagues.

Edwin Jackson, Chicago White Sox

Jackson is one of those risky plays picking up 20 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings (10.2 K/9) while going 1-1 with a 5.60 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP. On the year, he’s 4-5 with a 4.63 ERA, a 1.53 WHIP and 59 strikeouts in 68 innings (7.8 K/9). Jackson is owned in 43 percent of Yahoo! and 19.5 percent of ESPN leagues.

J.A. Happ, Houston Astros

Happ had 20 strikeouts in 17 innings (10.6 K/9) over the past 15 days while sporting a 2.65 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. On the year, he is 3-6 with a 4.66 ERA, a 1.638 WHIP and 52 strikeouts in 63 2/3 innings (7.5 K/9). Happ is owned in less than 10 percent of fantasy leagues.

Jonathon Niese, New York Mets

Niese had 18 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings (8.8 K/9) over the past 15 days while going 2-1 with a 0.98 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. On the year, he’s 4-5 with a 3.92 ERA, a 1.43 WHIP and 50 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings (6.7 K/9). Niese is owned in less than 10 percent of fantasy leagues.

High Strikeout Middle Relievers (Stats based on past 15 days.)

• Sergio Romo, SF:  6 2/3 IP, 13 Ks, 2.70 ERA, 0.45 WHIP
• David Robertson, NYY:  6 IP, 12 Ks, 0.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP
• Mike Adams, SD:  5 2/3 IP, 11 Ks, 3.18 ERA, 1.59 WHIP
• Koji Uehara, BAL:  6 2/3 IP, 10 Ks, 2.70 ERA, 0.90 WHIP
• George Sherrill, ATL:  5 2/3 IP, 9 Ks, 3.18 ERA, 1.41 WHIP
• Alfredo Simon, BAL:  6 2/3 IP, 9 Ks, 4.05 ERA, 1.35 WHIP
• Brian Sanchez, FLA:  7 IP, 9 Ks, 1.29 ERA, 1.43 WHIP
• Grant Balfour, OAK:  7 IP, 9 Ks, 6.43 ERA, 1.29 WHIP
• Charlie Furbush, DET:  8 2/3 IP, 9 Ks, 0.00 ERA, 0.81 WHIP

Also check out:

• Can John Danks Get Back on Track?
• Should You Buy Low on Carlos Santana?
• Can Alex Rios Turn It Around?
• Should You Buy Low on Chris Carpenter?
• Can Kyle McClellan Continue to Shine?