RADIO
Ross Stripling 2019 Outlook: Quality Starter Potentially In Bullpen
6 years agoLos Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling represents another success story in 2018, made even more impressive since he started the season in the bullpen. With only 16 prior major league starts, Stripling was given an opportunity to start for the Dodgers in late April once the rotation was ravaged by injuries. He rewarded their confidence with a success that very few could have foreseen. Before the All-Star game, Stripling had racked up an 8-2 record with a 2.08 ERA. He had an extremely high K/BB rate (7.71) and was benefited by a 49% ground-ball rate. The second half was a different story, filled with injuries (toe and back) as well as a disappointing performance that saw him return to the bullpen. Stripling’s ground-ball and K/BB rates both dropped to 34% and 3.50, respectively. The Dodgers rotation is full, which will send Stripling back to the bullpen to start the 2019 season. This is the primary cause for his ADP of 210. As the 49th starting pitcher, Stripling still possesses value, in case a spot opens up in the Dodgers rotation. Draft him near the 16th round to be ready to take advantage of the upside.
