RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Target in Middle Rounds
ANALYSIS: Jacob deGrom was among the best mid-season fantasy baseball pickups of 2014. Originally expected to work out of the Mets' bullpen, the rookie gave many fantasy owners a boost with his high strikeout totals and low WHIP and ERA. After a six-run outing on June 16, deGrom settled into his role, and finished the year 9-2 with a 1.90 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. He averaged 10 K/9 over his final 15 starts. deGrom used his 62.8% first strike percentage to maintain a very low walk rate. He also induced ground balls at a rate of 45.4%, just above the league average of 44%. His wide variety of pitches led to a swinging strike rate of 11.7%, more than three points above the league average for starters. The 26-year-old allowed fly balls at a rate of just 31.4%, well below the league average of 35%. Plus, playing in a pitcher's park helped limit his HR/FB rate to 6.1.
The Mets have an overabundance of pitching. There have been whispers of possible Zack Wheeler or Noah Syndergaard trades to improve their offense, but it looks like deGrom is firmly entrenched in the starting rotation for 2015. He has all the tools for a dominant sophomore season, and if he comes at a discount in your draft, you should pounce on him.
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