2 years agoHouston Astros right-hander Cristian Javier had an electric season in 2022. Over 30 games and 25 starts, the 25-year-old posted a 2.54 ERA with 11 victories, a 0.95 WHIP, and an unbelievable 33.2% strikeout rate. Javier's expected ERA was an even better 2.43, as batters put up just a .168 xBA and .286 xSLG. His 8.9% walk rate was reasonable, and he pounded the zone at an above-average rate (49.3%). Javier threw a four-seamer (59.9%), a slider (27.6%), and a curveball (8.3%). The Dominican's 93.8 MPH fastball had the eighth-best vertical movement among qualified pitchers, and his 79.8 MPH slider caused batters to whiff 39.4% of the time. Opponents didn't chase much against Javier, but that isn't a concern when they only made contact in the zone 76% of the time. Fantasy managers might be worried about his .228 BABIP and 83.6% strand rate from 2022. There will be regression, but hitters will never pile on hits against Javier, who has a career 13% pop-up rate and allows minimal line drives and ground balls (22.8% and 28%, respectively). And his 9.1% HR/FB this year isn't sustainable, but his xFIP was still a solid 3.53. Javier has all the tools to be a dominant pitcher again and cemented himself in the Astros rotation while pitching at least six innings 11 times in '22. Further, considering he plays for one of the best teams in baseball, collecting at least 11 wins shouldn't be difficult. Fantasy managers are getting a great option at Javier's ADP of 80.--Spencer Seguin