Weekly Pitcher Rankings: Rookie Mistakes

Weekly Pitcher Rankings: Rookie Mistakes

This article is part of our Weekly Pitcher Rankings series.

Every strategy works if you choose the right players. For example, trusting prospect pitchers. If you picked up Tanner Bibee or Bryce Miller, you're a genius. If you put your chips on Brandon Pfaadt or Gavin Stone, you're a fool.

At least for a week or two.

To be honest, it's the nature of pitching in general, but even more so for young hurlers. It's a roller coaster ride.

Hopefully these rankings help keep you grounded. A week ago, most would have ranked Pfaadt, Stone and Miller in that order. After their debuts, I guarantee some will now list them Miller, Pfaadt and Stone.

Which is right? Who knows, but my philosophy is to trust the larger samples, which in this case is minor-league track record translated into MLE (major-league equivalencies).

As a reminder, the schedule is culled from the Probable Pitcher grid, so please direct rotation questions to our fine crew managing the starters. As always, I'm happy to address rankings questions below.

UPDATED Monday May 8 1:15 AM ET

Week of May 8-14

Mixed

RankPitcherTMOPPCommentsMIX12MIX15
1Zac GallenARIMIA, SF   
2Logan WebbSFWAS, @ARI   
3Shane McClanahanTB@BAL, @NYY   
4Max ScherzerNYM@CIN, @WASIdeal week for Mad Max to emerge  
5Gerrit ColeNYYTB   
6Corbin BurnesMILKC   
7Shohei OhtaniLAAHOU  

Every strategy works if you choose the right players. For example, trusting prospect pitchers. If you picked up Tanner Bibee or Bryce Miller, you're a genius. If you put your chips on Brandon Pfaadt or Gavin Stone, you're a fool.

At least for a week or two.

To be honest, it's the nature of pitching in general, but even more so for young hurlers. It's a roller coaster ride.

Hopefully these rankings help keep you grounded. A week ago, most would have ranked Pfaadt, Stone and Miller in that order. After their debuts, I guarantee some will now list them Miller, Pfaadt and Stone.

Which is right? Who knows, but my philosophy is to trust the larger samples, which in this case is minor-league track record translated into MLE (major-league equivalencies).

As a reminder, the schedule is culled from the Probable Pitcher grid, so please direct rotation questions to our fine crew managing the starters. As always, I'm happy to address rankings questions below.

UPDATED Monday May 8 1:15 AM ET

Week of May 8-14

Mixed

RankPitcherTMOPPCommentsMIX12MIX15
1Zac GallenARIMIA, SF   
2Logan WebbSFWAS, @ARI   
3Shane McClanahanTB@BAL, @NYY   
4Max ScherzerNYM@CIN, @WASIdeal week for Mad Max to emerge  
5Gerrit ColeNYYTB   
6Corbin BurnesMILKC   
7Shohei OhtaniLAAHOU   
8Nathan EovaldiTEX@OAK   
9Clayton KershawLAD@MIL   
10Shane BieberCLEDETGood spot to fix command and control issues  
11Joe RyanMINCHC   
12Logan GilbertSEATEX, @DET   
13Sandy AlcantaraMIACINSkills down, but also hurt ia 59.4 percent LOB mark  
14Spencer StriderATL@TOR   
15Cristian JavierHOU@LAA   
16Lucas GiolitoCWS@KC, HOUReverting to form  
17Andrew HeaneyTEX@SEA, @OAKFine spot to get out of rut  
18Sonny GrayMINCHCJust stay healthy!  
19Kevin GausmanTOR@PHIJust didn't have it vs. Boston, still an ace  
20Dylan CeaseCWS@KC, HOU19 BB in 35 IP, seems high  
21Aaron NolaPHITOR   
22Zack WheelerPHITOR   
23Nestor CortesNYYOAK, TBNestor not as nasty as last season  
24Tanner BibeeCLEDET, LAA   
25Jon GrayTEX@SEA, @OAK   
26Luis CastilloSEATEX   
27Justin VerlanderNYM@CIN   
28George KirbySEATEX   
29Charlie MortonATLBOS, @TORTough pair, but salty vet back on track  
30Martin PerezTEX@OAK   
31Yu DarvishSD@MIN   
32Mitch KellerPITCOL, @BALTaking the next step  
33Julio UriasLADSD   
34Zach EflinTB@BAL, @NYY   
35Alek ManoahTOR@PHI   
36Jesus LuzardoMIA@ARI   
37Freddy PeraltaMILLAD   
38Eduardo RodriguezDET@CLEPitching better than ever  
39Anthony DeSclafaniSFWAS, @ARIStrkeouts low, but so are walks  
40Domingo GermanNYYTB   
41Mason MillerOAKTEX   
42Lance LynnCWS@KC   
43Chris SaleBOSSTL   
44Jordan MontgomerySTL@CHC   
45Framber ValdezHOU@LAA   
46Alex CobbSF@ARI   
47Justin SteeleCHCSTLLow strikeouts dragging ranking down a tad  
48Max FriedATLBOS   
49Marcus StromanCHCSTL, @MIN   
50Tyler AndersonLAA@CLE 50% 
51Merrill KellyARIMIA   
52Tony GonsolinLAD@MIL, SD   
53Sean ManaeaSFWAS 29% 
54Joey LucchesiNYM@WAS 27% 
55Dane DunningTEX@SEA 10% 
56Pablo LopezMINSD   
57Brady SingerKCCWSBeginning the season on a sour note.  
58Tyler WellsBALPITHR an issue  
59Chris BassittTORATL   
60Bailey OberMINSD   
61Jhony BritoNYYOAK 15% 
62Reid DetmersLAA@CLE   
63Nick LodoloCINNYMDon't panic, better days ahead  
64Hunter BrownHOU@LAA, @CWS   
65Drew RasmussenTB@NYY   
66Bryce MillerSEA@DET 0%0%
67Brandon PfaadtARIMIA, SF   
68Dustin MayLADSD   
69Mix 12 Reliever     
70Grayson RodriguezBALTB   
71Blake SnellSD@LAD   
72Joe MusgroveSD@LAD   
73Hunter GreeneCINNYM   
74Patrick SandovalLAAHOU   
75Matthew BoydDETSEA 32% 
76Luis CessaCIN@MIA 0%0%
77Jose BerriosTORATL   
78Seth LugoSD@MIN   
79Edward CabreraMIA@ARI   
80Graham AshcraftCIN@MIA   
81Noah SyndergaardLAD@MIL   
82Kyle GibsonBALTB, PIT   
83Mix 15 Reliever     
84Drew SmylyCHC@MIN   
85Kodai SengaNYM@CIN   
86Brayan BelloBOS@ATL   
87Jameson TaillonCHCSTL   
88Michael KopechCWSHOU   
89Josiah GrayWAS@SF   
90Cal QuantrillCLELAA 29% 
91Kyle FreelandCOL@PIT, PHI 14%34%
92Ryan YarbroughKC@MIL 1%2%
93Corey KluberBOSSTL 5% 
94Ross StriplingSF@ARI 5% 
95Connor SeaboldCOL@PIT 0%0%
96Miles MikolasSTL@CHC, @BOS   
97Jack FlahertySTL@CHC   
98Nick PivettaBOS@ATL 12% 
99MacKenzie GoreWASNYM   
100James PaxtonBOSSTL 4% 
101Zack GreinkeKCCWS, @MIL 2%11%
102Clarke SchmidtNYYOAK, TB 28% 
103Hayden WesneskiCHC@MIN   
104Ken WaldichukOAKTEX 2%32%
105Michael LorenzenDET@CLE 0%9%
106Patrick CorbinWAS@SF 0%0%
107Eric LauerMILLAD   
108Tylor MegillNYM@WAS   
109Alex FaedoDETSEA 0%0%
110Roansy ContrerasPIT@BAL   
111Bryce ElderATL@TOR   
112Wade MileyMILLAD   
113Dean KremerBALTB 2%40%
114Braxton GarrettMIA@ARI, CIN   
115Yonny ChirinosTB@BAL 3% 
116Luis OrtizPITCOL 0%4%
117Joey WentzDET@CLE, SEA 0%6%
118Michael WachaSD@MIN, @LAD 31% 
119Adrian HouserMILKC 0%0%
120Johan OviedoPIT@BAL   
121Logan AllenCLELAA   
122Louie VarlandMINSD, CHC 49% 
123Antonio SenzatelaCOL@PIT 0%0%
124Kyle BradishBALPIT   
125Drew RucinskiOAK@NYY, TEX 0%0%
126Rich HillPITCOL 3% 
127Mike ClevingerCWS@KC   
128Luke WeaverCINNYM, @MIA 8% 
129Josh FlemingTB@NYY 2%30%
130Austin GomberCOLPHI 0%0%
131Jake IrvinWAS@SF, NYM 0%0%
132Trevor WilliamsWASNYM 1%19%
133Chase SilsethLAA@CLE 1%25%
134JP SearsOAK@NYY, TEX 2% 
135Peyton BattenfieldCLEDET 2%15%
136Colin ReaMILKC 3%40%
137Yusei KikuchiTORATL   
138Jordan LylesKCCWS, @MIL 1%6%
139Ryne NelsonARISF 11% 
140Marco GonzalesSEA@DET 6% 
141Ranger SuarezPHI@COL 18% 
142Ryan FeltnerCOLPHI 0%11%
143Griffin CanningLAAHOU   
144Steven MatzSTL@BOS   
145Adam WainwrightSTL@BOS 6%34%
146Brad KellerKCCWS 20% 
147Bryan HoeingMIACIN 0%2%
148Brandon BielakHOU@CWS 0%0%
149Taijuan WalkerPHI@COL   
150Tommy HenryARISF 0%6%
151Bailey FalterPHI@COL 17% 
152Kyle MullerOAK@NYY 1%13%
153J.P. FranceHOU@CWS 0%0%

American League

RankPitcherTMOPPComment
1Shane McClanahanTB@BAL, @NYY 
2Gerrit ColeNYYTB 
3Shohei OhtaniLAAHOU 
4Nathan EovaldiTEX@OAK 
5Shane BieberCLEDETGood spot to fix command and control issues
6Joe RyanMINCHC 
7Logan GilbertSEATEX, @DET 
8Cristian JavierHOU@LAA 
9Lucas GiolitoCWS@KC, HOUReverting to form
10Andrew HeaneyTEX@SEA, @OAKFine spot to get out of rut
11Sonny GrayMINCHCJust stay healthy!
12Kevin GausmanTOR@PHIJust didn't have it vs. Boston, still an ace
13Dylan CeaseCWS@KC, HOU19 BB in 35 IP, seems high
14Nestor CortesNYYOAK, TBNestor not as nasty as last season
15Tanner BibeeCLEDET, LAA 
16Jon GrayTEX@SEA, @OAK 
17Luis CastilloSEATEX 
18George KirbySEATEX 
19Martin PerezTEX@OAK 
20Zach EflinTB@BAL, @NYY 
21Alek ManoahTOR@PHI 
22Eduardo RodriguezDET@CLEPitching better than ever
23Domingo GermanNYYTB 
24Mason MillerOAKTEX 
25Lance LynnCWS@KC 
26Chris SaleBOSSTL 
27Framber ValdezHOU@LAA 
28Tyler AndersonLAA@CLE 
29Dane DunningTEX@SEA 
30Pablo LopezMINSD 
31Brady SingerKCCWSBeginning the season on a sour note.
32Tyler WellsBALPITHR an issue
33Chris BassittTORATL 
34Bailey OberMINSD 
35Jhony BritoNYYOAK 
36Reid DetmersLAA@CLE 
37Hunter BrownHOU@LAA, @CWS
38Drew RasmussenTB@NYY 
39Bryce MillerSEA@DET 
40Grayson RodriguezBALTB 
41Patrick SandovalLAAHOU 
42Matthew BoydDETSEA 
43Jose BerriosTORATL 
44Kyle GibsonBALTB, PIT 
45Brayan BelloBOS@ATL 
46Michael KopechCWSHOU 
47Cal QuantrillCLELAA 
48Ryan YarbroughKC@MIL 
49Corey KluberBOSSTL 
50Nick PivettaBOS@ATL 
51James PaxtonBOSSTL 
52Zack GreinkeKCCWS, @MIL 
53Clarke SchmidtNYYOAK, TB 
54Ken WaldichukOAKTEX 
55AL Reliever   
56Michael LorenzenDET@CLE 
57Alex FaedoDETSEA 
58Dean KremerBALTB 
59Yonny ChirinosTB@BAL 
60Joey WentzDET@CLE, SEA 
61Logan AllenCLELAA 
62Louie VarlandMINSD, CHC 
63Kyle BradishBALPIT 
64Drew RucinskiOAK@NYY, TEX 
65Mike ClevingerCWS@KC 
66Josh FlemingTB@NYY 
67Chase SilsethLAA@CLE 
68JP SearsOAK@NYY, TEX 
69Peyton BattenfieldCLEDET 
70Yusei KikuchiTORATL 
71Jordan LylesKCCWS, @MIL 
72Marco GonzalesSEA@DET 
73Griffin CanningLAAHOU 
74Brad KellerKCCWS 
75Brandon BielakHOU@CWS 
76Kyle MullerOAK@NYY 
77J.P. FranceHOU@CWS 

National League

RankPitcherTMOPPComment
1Zac GallenARIMIA, SF 
2Logan WebbSFWAS, @ARI 
3Max ScherzerNYM@CIN, @WASIdeal week for Mad Max to emerge
4Corbin BurnesMILKC 
5Clayton KershawLAD@MIL 
6Sandy AlcantaraMIACINSkills down, but also hurt ia 59.4 percent LOB mark
7Spencer StriderATL@TOR 
8Aaron NolaPHITOR 
9Zack WheelerPHITOR 
10Justin VerlanderNYM@CIN 
11Charlie MortonATLBOS, @TORTough pair, but salty vet back on track
12Yu DarvishSD@MIN 
13Mitch KellerPITCOL, @BALTaking the next step
14Julio UriasLADSD 
15Jesus LuzardoMIA@ARI 
16Freddy PeraltaMILLAD 
17Anthony DeSclafaniSFWAS, @ARIStrkeouts low, but so are walks
18Jordan MontgomerySTL@CHC 
19Alex CobbSF@ARI 
20Justin SteeleCHCSTLLow strikeouts dragging ranking down a tad
21Max FriedATLBOS 
22Marcus StromanCHCSTL, @MIN 
23Merrill KellyARIMIA 
24Tony GonsolinLAD@MIL, SD 
25Sean ManaeaSFWAS 
26Joey LucchesiNYM@WAS 
27Nick LodoloCINNYMDon't panic, better days ahead
28Brandon PfaadtARIMIA, SF 
29Dustin MayLADSD 
30Blake SnellSD@LAD 
31Joe MusgroveSD@LAD 
32Hunter GreeneCINNYM 
33Luis CessaCIN@MIA 
34Seth LugoSD@MIN 
35Edward CabreraMIA@ARI 
36Graham AshcraftCIN@MIA 
37Noah SyndergaardLAD@MIL 
38Drew SmylyCHC@MIN 
39Kodai SengaNYM@CIN 
40Jameson TaillonCHCSTL 
41Josiah GrayWAS@SF 
42Kyle FreelandCOL@PIT, PHI 
43Ross StriplingSF@ARI 
44Connor SeaboldCOL@PIT 
45Miles MikolasSTL@CHC, @BOS 
46Jack FlahertySTL@CHC 
47MacKenzie GoreWASNYM 
48Hayden WesneskiCHC@MIN 
49NL Reliever   
50Patrick CorbinWAS@SF 
51Eric LauerMILLAD 
52Tylor MegillNYM@WAS 
53Roansy ContrerasPIT@BAL 
54Bryce ElderATL@TOR 
55Wade MileyMILLAD 
56Braxton GarrettMIA@ARI, CIN 
57Luis OrtizPITCOL 
58Michael WachaSD@MIN, @LAD 
59Adrian HouserMILKC 
60Johan OviedoPIT@BAL 
61Antonio SenzatelaCOL@PIT 
62Rich HillPITCOL 
63Luke WeaverCINNYM, @MIA 
64Austin GomberCOLPHI 
65Jake IrvinWAS@SF, NYM 
66Trevor WilliamsWASNYM 
67Colin ReaMILKC 
68Ryne NelsonARISF 
69Ranger SuarezPHI@COL 
70Ryan FeltnerCOLPHI 
71Steven MatzSTL@BOS 
72Adam WainwrightSTL@BOS 
73Bryan HoeingMIACIN 
74Taijuan WalkerPHI@COL 
75Tommy HenryARISF 
76Bailey FalterPHI@COL 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Todd Zola
Todd has been writing about fantasy baseball since 1997. He won NL Tout Wars and Mixed LABR in 2016 as well as a multi-time league winner in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship. Todd is now setting his sights even higher: The Rotowire Staff League. Lord Zola, as he's known in the industry, won the 2013 FSWA Fantasy Baseball Article of the Year award and was named the 2017 FSWA Fantasy Baseball Writer of the Year. Todd is a five-time FSWA awards finalist.
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