Madison Bumgarner is One of MLB's Safest Aces

Over the last five seasons, San Francisco Giants lefty Madison Bumgarner has made at least 31 starts with 200 innings pitched, 190 strikeouts and 13 wins in each of them. That's staggering consistency. But before you go and assume that Bumgarner has plateaued and is simply holding steady, consider that he matched his career high in wins last season (18) while increasing his strikeout rate for the third straight season. Bumgarner has also lowered his walk rate in consecutive seasons. Those are strong indications that the 26-year-old lefty is still improving.

Bumgarner also gets to call AT&T Park, one of MLB's most pitcher-friendly ballparks, his home. That, combined with his consistency and improving strikeout numbers, makes Bumgarner one of fantasy's safest bets this season. And perhaps best of all? He won't cost you a first- or second-round pick like fellow aces Clayton Kershaw, Jake Arrieta or Zack Grienke likely will.