👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
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 30% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

ADP Values for Fantasy Baseball: AL Starting Pitchers

What's up RotoBallers. Welcome back to another article in our series of early ADP value analysis for fantasy baseball.

Keep reading for my thoughts on undervalued and overvalued AL starting pitchers, to identify draft targets and avoids based on ADP.

Opening Day is still over two months away, but it's never too soon for draft prep. ADP data from early NFBC rankings can give us a glimpse into what other owners are thinking heading into a new campaign.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Undervalued AL Starting Pitchers

Sean Manaea, Oakland Athletics (ADP: 179)

After some initial struggles in his rookie season, Manaea really found a groove. He posted sparkling ratios (2.67 ERA, 1.02 WHIP) after the All-Star break, with the underlying metrics to back them up. Manaea's K-BB% increased by over five points in the second half, thanks largely to the progression of his changeup. It's true that he also benefited from a bit of good fortune with a .254 BABIP and 83% strand rate during that time, but there was legitimate improvement here. Given his obvious talent and favorable home park, it's surprising to see him lasting into the middle-late rounds of drafts so far. Perhaps lingering health concerns are playing a role.

Lance McCullers, Houston Astros (ADP: 191)

On the other hand, there's no question that health is what's keeping McCullers' price tag depressed. It's understandable, given that he experienced both elbow and shoulder issues last year. There's also the question of how much of his wildness in 2016 was attributable to those health problems, and how much of it was just lack of polish. The upside is immense, though - peep that 30% strikeout rate in an injury-marred season! I'd rather gamble on this kid and his sexy spike curve than many of the other arms being drafted around his ADP.

Garrett Richards, Los Angeles Angels (ADP: 252)

Over the last three seasons, Richards is 13th in ERA, 22nd in WHIP, and 30th in K/9 among pitchers with at least 400 innings logged. The right-hander opted against Tommy John surgery in favor of stem cell treatment for his injured elbow last season. There haven't been many reports on his status recently, but the Angels' ace is expected to be ready for Opening Day. Richards is certainly worth a flier at his current price.

 

Overvalued AL Starting Pitchers

Rick Porcello, Boston Red Sox (ADP: 107)

Porcello's unlikely Cy Young season in 2016 has him back in the good graces of fantasy owners after his awful Boston debut the prior year.  His price tag isn't egregious, but there are too many other arms in the 20-30 range that are more appealing. Porcello's elite walk rate notwithstanding, he's not a great source of strikeouts and we saw in 2015 what can happen when he has trouble keeping the ball in the yard. He did fine on that front last year, but actually has seen his GB/FB decline in five straight years now. Beyond that, we can probably expect some regression in his .269 BABIP from last season, given that there wasn't much of a change in his contact quality. It's also tough to bank on him winning 22 games again, even with the Red Sox looking like the team to beat in the American League.

Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners (ADP: 136)

Heading into last season, I was RotoBaller's resident Debbie Downer on King Felix. Where others saw a reliable ace coming off another excellent season, I saw a guy with a ton of mileage on his arm whose rates and velocity were all trending in the wrong direction. 2016 turned out to be Hernandez's worst season in almost a decade, as he battled injury and ineffectiveness. His strikeout rate tumbled, his ratios were middling, and he failed to reach 190 innings for the first time ever. Incredibly, he's only entering his age-31 season, but he's already thrown 2,400 innings. It's fair to wonder if we'll ever see the King on his throne again.

Kevin Gausman, Baltimore Orioles (ADP: 150)

Gausman finally got a chance to pitch a full season in the majors, and the results were pretty solid. He posted a 3.61 ERA and 1.28 WHIP while striking out nearly a batter per inning, mostly on the strength of his 95 mph fastball and devastating splitter. However, he continued to have serious problems with the long ball, allowing 28 homers in 180 innings. Gausman pitches the majority of his starts in hitters' parks, so this is something he really needs to get under control if he's ever going to be the ace the Orioles expected when they took him fourth overall in the 2012 draft. In order to do that, he'll have to develop a legitimate third pitch. His slider and changeup continued to be among the worst in the majors in 2016, and until that changes, he'll remain a frustrating fantasy asset.

 

More Undervalued & Overvalued Picks


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 30% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

John Marino

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Austin Reaves

Slated to Miss at Least One More Week
Pyotr Kochetkov

Starting for Hurricanes Tuesday
Gabriel Moreno

Diamondbacks Put Gabriel Moreno on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain
Matvei Gridin

Returns to Action Tuesday
Cole Ragans

Returning to the Mound on Tuesday Against Tigers
Ryan Pulock

Unavailable for Season Finale
Luis Arraez

Back in Giants Lineup on Tuesday
Evander Kane

Not Expected to Play This Week
Erik Karlsson

Kris Letang Won't Play Tuesday
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Set to Miss at Least One More Week
Sidney Crosby

Evgeni Malkin Resting on Tuesday
Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys Looking to Trade Up in the First Round of 2026 NFL Draft?
Jackson Chourio

Estimated Return Pushed Back to Early May
Christian Yelich

Expected to Return in Mid-to-Late May
Jackson Holliday

to be Shut Down a Few Days With Wrist Soreness
Si Woo Kim

Has Become Less Reliable Ahead of RBC Heritage
NFL

Teams Concerned About Rueben Bain Jr.'s Off-the-Field Issues
Brandon Allen

Giants Sign Brandon Allen to Add to QB Room
Denver Broncos

Eli Stowers Visiting With Broncos
Dontayvion Wicks

Could End Up Being Eagles WR2
New York Jets

Omar Cooper Jr. Visits With Jets on Monday
Miami Dolphins

Makai Lemon Visits With Dolphins on Monday
Ja'Tavion Sanders

Looks Good After Ankle Surgery
Tank Dell

2026 Availability Still a Mystery
Bhayshul Tuten

to Have Much Bigger Role in 2026?
DeVonta Smith

Eagles Think DeVonta Smith Could be an Elite WR1
De'Von Achane

Dolphins, De'Von Achane Not Close to Contract Extension
Russell Henley

Looks to Carry Momentum Into Harbour Town
Christian Yelich

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Groin Strain
Jeremiah Jackson

has Career Day on Monday
Jake Burger

Goes Yard Twice in Win Over A's
Mike Trout

Two Homers, Five RBI Not Enough at Yankee Stadium
Tommy Fleetwood

a Good Ball-Striking Play at RBC Heritage
Trent Grisham

Comes Off the Bench to Hit Two Homers
Aaron Judge

Homers Twice on Monday in Win Over Angels
Sam Burns

Hopes to Carry Good Form to Harbour Town
Harris English

Solid but Not Spectacular in 2026
Daniel Berger

Could Contend Again at Hilton Head
Joe Mixon

Is There Any Value Still to Be Squeezed From Joe Mixon?
Marvin Mims Jr.

Likely the Odd Man Out in a Crowded Broncos Receiver Room
RJ Harvey

Ceiling Likely Still Capped in Year 2
Mark Scheifele

Establishes New Franchise Record With 101 Points
Baker Mayfield

Can Baker Mayfield Regain QB1 Status?
Quinton Byfield

Scores Twice in Playoff Clincher
Porter Martone

Extends Point Streak to Five Games
Brian Robinson Jr.

Could Have Standalone Flex Value as High-Level Insurance Back
Macklin Celebrini

Nets Two Goals Against Predators
Matt Duchene

Registers Three Assists Monday Night
Nikita Kucherov

Hits 130-Point Mark in Monday's Overtime Win
Jack Eichel

Collects Four Points Against Jets
Jordan Goodwin

Returns From Two-Game Absence
Jerami Grant

Tagged as Questionable for Tuesday
Grayson Allen

Questionable Tuesday
Jalen Green

Cleared for Action Tuesday
Devin Booker

Available Tuesday
Immanuel Quickley

Considered Day-to-Day
Joel Embiid

Expected to Miss Play-In Tournament
Nolan Arenado

Hits Two Homers, Drives in Five on Monday
Brandon Lowe

Stays Hot in Monday's Blowout Win Over Nationals
Kyle Schwarber

Goes Deep Twice on Monday in Win Over Cubs
Tucker Kraft

Worth Buying Low in Dynasty Leagues?
Jackson Holliday

Not Expected to Come Off Injured List This Week
Jakobi Meyers

the Jaguars Receiver to Target in Dynasty Leagues?
Tage Thompson

Reaches 40 Goals
Jayden Higgins

Is Jayden Higgins a Year 2 Breakout Candidate?
Mavrik Bourque

has a Hat Trick on Monday
Sam LaPorta

a Buy-Low Target Coming Off of Injury
Patrick Cantlay

Finding Form Heading to RBC Heritage
Ludvig Aberg

Continues Playing Well Heading to RBC Heritage
Ryan Mountcastle

Orioles Place Ryan Mountcastle on 60-Day Injured List With Foot Fracture
Dru Smith

Ruled Out Against Hornets on Tuesday
Pelle Larsson

Considered Questionable for Tuesday
Simone Fontecchio

Slated to Suit Up Against Hornets
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Unavailable for Tuesday
Frank Nazar

Good to Go Monday
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic to be Re-Evaluated on Tuesday
Brandon Hagel

Misses Monday's Action
Radek Faksa

Michael Bunting, Radek Faksa Rejoin Stars Lineup Monday
MIN

Wild Resting Several Key Players Monday
Jared McCann

to Miss Kraken's Last Three Games
Merrill Kelly

to Make his Season Debut on Tuesday
Tatsuya Imai

Going on 15-Day Injured List With Arm Fatigue
CFB

Tramell Jones Jr. Outperforms Aaron Philo During Florida's Spring Scrimmage
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Lands on 10-Day Injured List With Hamstring Strain
CFB

Keelon Russell Flashes in Alabama's Spring Game
Ty Gibbs

Holds off the Field for His First Cup Series Victory at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Earns His First Runner-Up Finish at Bristol
Kyle Larson

Dominant Performance At Bristol Falls Short of Victory
Tyler Reddick

Matches his Career-Best Finish at Bristol
Alex Bowman

Crashes Early at Bristol in Return From Injury
Derik Queen

has 30-Point, 22-Rebound Season Finale
Ryan Nembhard

Sets Rookie Assist Record
Carlos Ulberg

Is The New Light Heavyweight Champion
Cade Cunningham

Records 14 Assists Sunday
Jiří Procházka

Jiri Prochazka Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Milwaukee Bucks

Doc Rivers Departs as Bucks Head Coach
Azamat Murzakanov

Suffers His First Loss
Dylan Harper

Suffers Thumb Injury in Finale
Paulo Costa

Wins Back-to-Back Fights
Immanuel Quickley

Leaves Finale with Hamstring Issue
Cooper Flagg

Exits Finale with Ankle Injury
Curtis Blaydes

Drops Decision At UFC 327
Josh Hokit

Remains Unbeaten
Christian Yelich

Brewers Expecting "Bad News" on Christian Yelich
Carson Hocevar

Is Carson Hocevar A Worthy DFS Option for Bristol Lineups?
NASCAR

Could Bubba Wallace Be A Solid DFS Option for Bristol Lineups?
Carlos Ulberg

A Slight Underdog
Jiří Procházka

Jiri Prochazka Can Become UFC Champion Again
Paulo Costa

Makes his Light-Heavyweight Debut
Azamat Murzakanov

Looks To Remain Unbeaten
Josh Hokit

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Curtis Blaydes

A Favorite At UFC 327
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF