Fantasy Baseball Friday: Top Five Pitchers in 2015 AL Central

Sep 24, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher

(49) warms up before the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

SP Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox

Sale remains a top option for fantasy owners this season despite the right foot avulsion fracture he suffered in an accident at his house back in February.

The injury is going to prevent Sale from pitching on Opening Day, but fans should remember the lefty missed a month last season and still was a top candidate for the AL Cy Young Award. Sale was 12-4 with a 2.17 ERA, which was third in all of baseball behind just Kershaw and Hernandez. He also had 208 strikeouts in 174.0 innings even though he made just 26 starts.

Sale isn’t expected to miss more than one or two starts due to his foot injury, so getting a pitcher who could put up similar numbers to Kershaw and Hernandez around pick No. 19, which is Sale’s ADP according to Fantasy Pros, would be great value for owners.

Mar 11, 2015; Melbourne, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher

(14) throws against the Washington Nationals at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

SP David Price, Detroit Tigers

Price is going to be in the top 10 for any fantasy baseball starting pitchers ranking owners look at this month, but an argument can be made for him being in the top five or even the top three.

Price led the league in strikeouts, 271, and innings, 248.1, last season. That led to a very healthy 9.8 K/9. He also rarely walks hitters, so his K/BB was ranked in the top five among starting pitchers at 7.13 in 2014, the best of his career. The lefty did all this while posting a 3.26 ERA and 15 victories.

There is a good chance his strikeout numbers come down because 2014 was the first time Price ever struck out more than a batter per inning, but the ERA could also go down and the victories could rise.

In a contract year, Price could have another monster season.

Sep 21, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) pitches in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Cleveland Indians win 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

SP Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians

The fact Kluber is probably the consensus third-ranked fantasy starter from the AL Central should tell owners how stacked the division is with talent at starting pitcher.

Kluber won the AL Cy Young Award in 2014 and led the league with 18 victories. He also finished third in innings, 235.2, and second to only Price in strikeouts, 269.

The Indians ace is right behind Price on Fantasy Pros’ starting pitcher rankings with Price No. 7 and Kluber No. 8. In order to get either Price or Kluber, owners will likely have to pick them in one of the first three rounds in a 10-team league.

Feb 28, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher

poses for a portrait during photo day at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

SP Jeff Samardzija, Chicago White Sox

After posting three pitchers in the top 10, there is a bit of a drop off to the next pitcher on our list, but Samardzija has to be a target for any owners who decides to wait a few rounds on starting pitcher.

The 30-year-old has never done well at collecting victories, he went just 7-13 last season with the Chicago Cubs and Oakland, but he did post a 2.99 ERA and 202 strikeouts in 219.2 innings.

Owners also don’t have to worry about Samardzija leaving the pitcher-friendly Oakland Coliseum because he actually had a lower ERA with the Cubs than with the Athletics in 2014.

Right now, Samardzija’s ADP has him going in drafts right behind Mets’ Matt Harvey and Rangers’ Yu Darvish. If owners want a safer pick at starting pitcher in about the sixth round, Samardzija is the man.

Oct 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher

throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in the 9th inning during game seven of the 2014 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

RP Greg Holland, Kansas City Royals

Opinions on when to draft relief pitchers probably differ even greater than the debate on when to select starting pitchers.

At Motor City Bengals, we believe besides the top closers in the league, there are very few relief pitchers worth a top 100 pick in 10-team leagues. This is due mostly because, with the exception of the elite closers, teams are constantly changing closers, which makes them available on the waiver wire.

For example, there is at least an outside chance Joe Nathan does not close the entire season for the Detroit Tigers. Therefore, his replacement, Joakim Soria, Bruce Rondon, or whomever, will be a top waiver wire pickup because the Tigers are projected to be in plenty of save situations.

Being able to find closers during the season limits relief pitchers values during drafts.

But, if owners want to feel at ease at the position and at least have one elite closer, Holland is one of the best. He saved 46 games a season ago while posting a 1.44 ERA with a 0.91 WHIP and striking out 90 hitters in 62.1 frames.

Holland is a top-three option at relief pitcher.

Next: Is Miguel Cabrera a Fantasy baseball Steal?