RADIO
Zach Davies 2021 Fantasy Outlook: A Breakout 2020 But A Bleak 2021 Projection
4 years agoEverything came together for Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Zach Davies in his one year with the Padres, as he posted career-bests in ERA (2.73), WHIP (1.07) and strikeout rate (22.8%). This was, however, one of the least believable breakouts in recent memory, as he benefited hugely from a low BABIP (.249) and high strand rate (78.2%). It is also notable that he achieved these great results without changing anything about himself. His pitch arsenal remained the same and he added no velocity or movement to those pitches. He remained a very fly-ball heavy pitcher (41.3% ground-ball rate) and actually surrendered the highest expected wOBA on contact of his career (.401). A December trade put him in the Chicago Cubs rotation, which is a neutral move, at best, as he goes to a slightly better ballpark for pitchers but has a much worse offense backing him. Do not be fooled by the numbers. Davies will be an average-at-best fantasy pitcher in 2021.
