RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Target ~190
CURRENT ADP: 295
ANALYSIS: Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson had a wonderful 2017 season, but it was cut short in September due to a non-throwing injury, a slide back into first base. The injury, a torn labrum, was to his pitching arm, so it will delay his return in 2018 to mid-season. Nelson had 199 strikeouts in 179 innings with only 48 walks.
Among starters with 150 innings, Nelson’s 10.21 K/9 ranked tenth overall and his 2.46 BB/9 ranked fifth. Nelson’s also had a drastic improvement in HR/9 (.82), which ranked fourth in the league. He also developed into quite the ground-ball pitcher (50.3%). The offseason additions of Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich will also help the Brewers' defense and help him even more. His injury, albeit unfortunate, could potentially be beneficial for fantasy owners, though. Nelson has ace-level upside and he should be drafted in the later rounds of your draft to stash in a DL spot, if possible. Of course, there is always a risk with any surgery.
Use this opportunity to acquire Nelson at a discount in the hopes that he returns to his 2017 levels. He will be forgotten since he is on the DL, so enjoy the value that you can acquire this late in the draft.
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