RADIO
Clayton Kershaw 2020 Outlook: Still Posting Ace Numbers Despite Recent Health Woes
5 years agoClayton Kershaw enjoyed another statistically sound year in 2019 while throwing the most innings in a season since 2015 (178.1 IP). A shoulder injury forced the eight-time All-Star to get a late start to his season, but he remained healthy throughout the campaign, finishing with a 16-5 record, 3.03 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 189 strikeouts. Kershaw couldn’t channel his perennial Cy Young candidate self from the middle part of the decade, but he still finished in the top-20 in K% (26.8%) and ground-ball rate (49.2%). Despite the success with inducing worm-killers, Kershaw’s 1.41 HR/9 and 18.5% HR/FB were over double his career-rates. He struggled especially in this area with his slider, allowing 11 homers off this pitch after surrendering 12 over the last three seasons combined. Health woes have recently tarnished Kershaw’s name over the last handful of season, but he’s still one of the best arms in the game. Currently selected as the 17th hurler off the board at an ADP of 54, the left-hander’s SP2 value here is profitable considering he posts SP1 ratios yearly. No pitcher is safe from injury, so don’t count out Kershaw just yet for your drafts this season.
