👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

Deeper Late Round Draft Fliers for Wins

Wins are a fickle stat and often don’t seem to benefit the most deserving pitchers in the game. One need only look at the leaderboard last season to see the likes of Hector Santiago, Josh Tomlin, and Collin McHugh with as many wins as Jose Quintana.

That can make it frustrating and often difficult to project wins for pitchers, though some important things to consider include run support, pitch efficiency, and the quality of the bullpen backing up the starting rotation. Using those factors, here are 3 pitchers currently being taken SP60 or later who are good bets to provide double-digit wins.

ADP values taken from NFBC.

Featured Promo: Save 50% the regular price with discount code SPRING, for a limited time. Exclusive access to our Team Sync platform, DFS cheat sheets, Lineup Optimizers, betting/prop picks, and exclusive content from Nick Mariano and Eric Cross! GAIN ACCESS NOW

 

Late Round Wins Sleepers for Fantasy Drafts

Jordan Zimmermann, Detroit Tigers

ADP: 323 overall

Zimmermann had a very disappointing debut season with the Tigers, posting his highest ERA since 2010 and the highest WHIP of his career. He started off looking like a Cy Young candidate in April, going 5-0 with an 0.55 ERA. The remainder of the first half of his season was not up to his normal standards, but he managed a respectable 3.95 ERA with a 3.58 FIP. While that was slightly below expectations, his season really derailed in the second half of the season when he went on the DL with a neck injury. When he did return to the mound, he posted a 13.97 ERA in 9.2 innings pitched. Even with all this, he managed to earn nine wins in 18 starts.

In early returns of the 2017 draft season, Zimmermann has been completely buried as the 89th starting pitcher off the board. Even considering his down season, this is a perplexing draft slot for him. He is only 30 years old, maybe beyond his prime but far from the age of demise, and his velocity was in line with his norms prior to his injury. His returns this spring have been positive as well, as it has been reported that he has looked good while on the mound.

For a player with the sustained track record of Zimmermann and his apparent return to form early this spring, it makes little sense for Zimmermann to be drafted where he is. However, his bounceback potential and opportunity for wins on a team that will contend for a playoff spot is something that should make him a target later in drafts.

 

Tyson Ross, Texas Rangers

ADP: 374 overall

There are a lot of question marks and risks associated with Ross this season but a return to health combined with run support he’s never had before could propel Ross to a career-best win total. In Ross’ three healthy seasons with the Padres (2013-2015), the Padres' offense never ranked higher than 23rd in runs scored per game. After an offseason move to the Rangers, things are looking better for him in that regard, as last season the Rangers scored the eighth most runs in the league and their offense remains largely intact.

This doesn’t alleviate all the concerns surrounding Ross and his ability to rack up wins this season, however, as he is inefficient on the mound due to both his high strikeout and walk totals. In his last healthy season, 2015, it took him 16.5 pitches on average to complete an inning. As a result, his average start was shorter than six innings. This put extra pressure on the bullpen to maintain any lead and left more time to lose a positive decision. Another issue surrounding Ross is his health. Matt Harvey is the pitcher garnering the most attention for returning from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome this season, but Ross is doing so as well. He is expected to be back by late April or early May, but it is unclear how effective he will be or if he will be on any sort of pitch count or innings limit to start the campaign.

Ross’ price at the draft table already reflects this concern, as he is being drafted behind players like Jose de Leon, Lucas Giolito, and Matt Andriese, all of whom are likely to spend time in either the minor leagues or bullpen. A player of Ross’ talent who is likely to get substantial run support for the first time in his career is worth a flier.

 

Drew Smyly, Seattle Mariners

ADP: 214 overall

Smyly has been limited by injury or poor performance for much of his career, last year likely being the most frustrating season of them all. He managed a career-best 175 innings but failed to capitalize with strong on-field performances. That has him buried as the 60th starting pitcher off the board in current ADP, but should give Smyly a great chance to earn his first double-digit win season of his career.

An offseason trade from the Rays to the Mariners provides Smyly with a slight upgrade in outfield defense and a more significant upgrade in run support. Last season, the Mariners offense scored over half a run more per game than the Rays, and the Mariners have upgraded their lineup with the addition of Jean Segura in the offseason.

Other offseason acquisitions made by the team included Jarrod Dyson and Mitch Haniger, both of whom are known as strong defensive outfielders. Good outfield defense is always a positive for starting pitchers, but it takes on extra importance with Smyly given his heavy fly ball profile.  In part due to this heavy fly ball profile, Smyly has surrendered home runs at a concerning rate throughout his career. This leads us to another positive piece of news in regards to his change of team this offseason. Rather than facing the daunting lineups of the A.L. East, which averaged 1.33 home runs per game (excluding the Rays), Smyly will face the poor Angels and A’s lineups along with the Rangers regularly this year, all of which combined to average 1.10 home runs per game in 2016. Given Smyly’s propensity to serve up homers, this change in opponent should benefit him as well. All of these things make Smyly an intriguing bounce-back candidate and a good candidate to rack up some wins.

 

More Potential Draft Values and Sleepers




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

NFL

Arvell Reese Could Generate Trade Interest in the Top 10 of NFL Draft
DeForest Buckner

Colts Targeting a Training Camp Return for DeForest Buckner
Michael Harris II

Continues to Heat Up With Two-Homer Game on Wednesday
Francisco Lindor

Leaves Wednesday's Game Early With Calf Tightness
JR Ritchie

Earns Promotion, Will Make MLB Debut on Thursday
Jakob Poeltl

Expected to Bounce Back Thursday
Jordan Goodwin

Collin Gillespie Replaces Jordan Goodwin in Starting Unit for Game 2
Rob Dillingham

Undergoes Wrist Procedure
Grayson Allen

Cleared to Play Wednesday
Keldon Johnson

Lands Sixth Man of the Year Award
Jordan Goodwin

Won't Play Wednesday
Mark Williams

Misses Wednesday's Action
Ja'Kobe Walter

Could Miss Pivotal Game 3
Peyton Watson

Remains Out for Game 3
Aaron Gordon

Likely to Play in Game 3
Anthony Edwards

' Status Uncertain for Game 3
Thomas Bryant

Iffy for Game 3
Immanuel Quickley

Questionable for Game 3
Jonathan Isaac

Ruled Out for Game 2
Noah Ostlund

Could Return Thursday
Pontus Holmberg

Will Miss Round 1
Charle-Edouard D'Astous

Could Be an Option Friday
Victor Hedman

Traveling With Team
Radko Gudas

Unavailable for Game 2
Los Angeles Rams

Rams Increasingly Likely to Draft a First-Round Wide Receiver?
Yakov Trenin

Considered a Game-Time Decision Wednesday
Shedeur Sanders

Gets First Reps in Team Workouts
Mats Zuccarello

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Wyatt Langford

Expected to Go on Injured List With Flexor Strain
NFL

Chris Bell is Ahead of Schedule in ACL Rehab
NFL

Caleb Banks on Pace for Football Activities in June
Maikel Garcia

Leaves Early on Wednesday With Elbow Soreness
Carson Beck

Could Carson Beck be a First-Round Pick in the NFL Draft?
Roman Anthony

Day-to-Day With Sore Back
Juan Soto

Officially Back in Mets Lineup on Wednesday
J.T. Realmuto

Phillies Place J.T. Realmuto on Injured List With Back Injury
Lucas Giolito

Signs With Padres, Worth a Waiver-Wire Pickup?
Ryan Helsley

Orioles Put Ryan Helsley on Bereavement List on Wednesday
George Pickens

to Play on Franchise Tag in 2026
Quinshon Judkins

Spotted at Voluntary Offseason Workouts
Isaiah Davis

Remains Without a Clear Pathway to Playing Time in New York
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Chiefs Looking to Acquire Kyle Pitts Sr. From the Falcons?
Kaleb Johnson

Does Kaleb Johnson Still Carry Dynasty Buy-Low Appeal?
DK Metcalf

Should Dynasty Managers Be Looking to Sell on DK Metcalf?
Trey McBride

Is Trey McBride Currently Undervalued in Dynasty Leagues?
Carolina Panthers

Kenyon Sadiq Linked to Panthers in Mock Drafts
Wan'Dale Robinson

Could Be Primed for Breakout Year with the Titans
Brock Purdy

Is Brock Purdy a Sneaky Buy-Low Candidate for Dynasty Managers?
Arizona Cardinals

Jeremiyah Love a "Logical Pick" if Cardinals Stay at No. 3 in NFL Draft
CFB

Beau Pribula Leading Virginia Quarterback Competition
Jalen McMillan

a Low-Cost Buy Who Can Provide Spike Weeks
Jack Eichel

Sets Up Two Goals Tuesday
Justin Jefferson

Buy Window is Closing Fast
Artemi Panarin

Records Another Power-Play Goal
Dylan Guenther

Enjoys Multi-Point Outing Tuesday Night
J.J. McCarthy

Is J.J. McCarthy Worth Buying Low?
Viktor Arvidsson

Strikes Twice in Game 2 Win
Lane Hutson

Nets First Career Postseason Goal
Brandon Hagel

Records Tampa Bay's First Postseason Gordie Howe Hat Trick
Nikita Kucherov

Ends 16-Game Postseason Goal Drought
Scoot Henderson

Erupts for 31 Points in Series-Tying Victory
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Fills Stat Sheet in Losing Effort
Kevin Durant

Commits Nine Turnovers in Game 2 Loss
Marcus Smart

Catches Fire in Game 2
LeBron James

Leads Lakers to Victory With Game-High 28 Points
Jake LaRavia

Exits Early Tuesday
Harrison Barnes

Injures Left Wrist in Game 2
Marco Penge

Trending Down Entering Zurich Classic
Sahith Theegala

Eyes Another Strong Week at Zurich Classic
Brooks Koepka

Shane Lowry Teams Up with Brooks Koepka at Zurich Classic
Si Woo Kim

Adds Another Strong Finish at RBC Heritage
Elly De La Cruz

Early-Season Breakout Continues on Tuesday
Wyatt Langford

Pulled Early on Tuesday With Forearm Tightness
Luke Clanton

Hoping to Find Form in New Orleans
Jackson Holliday

Leaves Rehab Game With Hand Discomfort
Corbin Carroll

Returns to Arizona's Lineup Against White Sox
Scottie Scheffler

is Starting to Hit His Stride
Brooks Koepka

Looking for Progress in PGA Return With Partner at Zurich Classic
Matt Fitzpatrick

Looks to Share Recent Form at Zurich Classic
Zack Wheeler

to Make Season Debut on Saturday
Jonathan Toews

Undecided on NHL Future
Jonathan Huberdeau

Expects to Be Ready for Training Camp
DAL

Nathan Bastian Not Expected to Play Before Round 2
Roope Hintz

Doubtful for Game 4
Adam Henrique

Won't Play in Game 2 Against Ducks
Victor Hedman

Doubtful to Play in Round 1
Charle-Edouard D'Astous

Unavailable Tuesday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Back in Leadoff Spot on Tuesday After Injury Scare
CFB

Ashton Daniels Named Florida State's Starting Quarterback
Juan Soto

Expected to Return on Wednesday
Royce Lewis

Twins Reinstate Royce Lewis From Injured List on Tuesday
Adley Rutschman

Activated From Injured List on Tuesday
Dylan Cease

Continues Strong Start With 12-Strikeout Performance
Raisel Iglesias

Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Shoulder Inflammation
Tyler Reddick

Earns His Fifth Win of the 2026 Season at Kansas
Kyle Larson

Finishes as the Runner-Up at Kansas
Chase Briscoe

Rallies for A New Career-Best Finish at Kansas
Denny Hamlin

Leads the Most Laps at Kansas but Misses Out on Victory
Christopher Bell

Falls Out of Contention for Kansas Victory on Final Restart
Mike Malott

Scores Third-Round TKO Win
Gilbert Burns

Retires After UFC Winnipeg Loss
Charles Jourdain

Extends Winning Streak
Kyler Phillips

Drops Decision At UFC Winnipeg
Mandel Nallo

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss In His UFC Debut
Jai Herbert

Scores First-Round TKO Win
Karine Silva

Gets Dominated at UFC Winnipeg
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Dominates Karine Silva
Kyle Larson

Should not be Underestimated for the Win at Kansas
Denny Hamlin

Can Denny Hamlin Dominate at Kansas Again?
NASCAR

Christoper Bell Should Contend for First Win at Kansas
Tyler Reddick

Fastest in Practice and Qualifying for Kansas Race
Ryan Blaney

Could Score another Top-10 Finish at Kansas
Ty Gibbs

Poised to Continue Hot Streak at Kansas
Chris Buescher

Always Consistent, Has Speed Heading Into Kansas
William Byron

is A Solid DFS Option for Kansas Lineups
Carson Hocevar

Poised for Career-Best Run at Kansas
Chase Briscoe

Is Chase Briscoe Worth Rostering for DFS at Kansas?
Chase Elliott

Is A Favorable DFS Option for Kansas Lineups
Joey Logano

Could Joey Logano be Considered Playable In DFS This Week at Kansas?
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace is A Favorable Driver to Consider for Kansas Lineups
Ross Chastain

Is Ross Chastain A Worthy DFS Option for Kansas?
Brad Keselowski

Could Brad Keselowski be A Sneaky DFS Option for Kansas?
Daniel Suarez

Should DFS Managers Roster Daniel Suarez at Kansas?
Mike Malott

A Favorite At UFC Winnipeg
Gilbert Burns

Set For UFC Winnipeg Main Event
Kyler Phillips

Set UFC Winnipeg Co-Main Event
Charles Jourdain

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Jai Herbert

An Underdog At UFC Winnipeg
Mandel Nallo

Set For His UFC Debut
Karine Silva

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Looks To Bounce Back
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF