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Lance McCullers Jr. 2021 Player Outlook: Skeptics Exist Despite Solid Season
4 years agoHouston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. incites opinions that run the gamut. Some salivate over his performance in 2020, while others bluntly label him as injury-prone. After missing 2019 due to Tommy John surgery, McCullers displayed some skills nearing his 2018 performance, but the question is whether it is enough to warrant his current draft spot. He started 11 games and had a 3.95 SIERA across 55 innings. McCullers' arsenal is led by a curveball that generated a 16% Swinging Strike rate and a 33% K rate. He was also able to limit the long ball thanks to a 60% ground-ball rate. McCullers' 16% K-BB rate isn't as desirable, but growth exists considering his 30% Chase and 11% Swing Strike rate were still below previous levels. But he'll need to reduce the walks (8.8%) and barrel rate allowed (10.3%) to reach the high expectations. There is no doubt that McCullers carries some risk in 2021, so build your pitching staff accordingly. But, he still pitches for the Astros and will have plenty of opportunity for wins. Despite plenty of upside, McCullers would only be worth his ADP of 120 if you've already built a pitching staff to mediate his risk.
