Fantasy Baseball Friday: Top Five Pitchers in 2015 AL Central

Sep 11, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher

(28) delivers in the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

There are many differing opinions on drafting pitchers in fantasy baseball.

Some find the position extremely important and concentrate on drafting top-of-the-line aces such as Clayton Kershaw and Felix Hernandez. The strategy here is since there are more starting spots for pitchers than any other position in fantasy, owners want to make sure they have at least one stud.

Other owners, however, would rather draft position players early on due to the fact they play every day rather than just a couple times per week like pitchers do.

More from Motor City Bengals

• Detroit Tigers: Victor Reyes finding ways to get the job done
• The Detroit Tigers must cut their losses and release Jonathan Schoop
• Detroit Tigers: Garrett Hill’s new role and changed delivery are excellent
• Detroit Tigers: Joe Jiménez has rebounded in 2022
• Detroit Tigers: Is it finally time to move the fences in at Comerica Park?

Either way, pitchers can make or break any fantasy lineup and picking the ones who perform the best and stay the healthiest is very important.

Therefore, here are the top five fantasy pitchers in the American League Central for the 2015 season.

Don’t forget, Motor City Bengals will be releasing a new fantasy piece every Friday to help owners with their teams. Last week, Motor City Bengals ranked The Top Five Fantasy Baseball Sleepers in the 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.

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?