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MLB Fantasy Busts for 2017

By Jason Reed

Sep 16, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sport
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sport /

Zack Greinke

2017 ESPN Fantasy Baseball Ranking: 79th

Starting Pitcher Rating: 19th

Zack Greinke was a massive letdown for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and if it wasn’t for Shelby Miller he may have been the Diamondbacks’ biggest regret. Greinke posted his worst ERA since 2005 with a 4.37 mark, nearly triple what it was the year prior. Greinke’s flaws were slowly being revealed, and while many may argue it is one bad season, that can’t be the case. Sure, Greinke has had a good stretch of success in the big leagues, but his weaknesses are in the spotlight and his past credibility is the only thing keeping him in such high honor.

Greinke had a spectacular 2015 that was on the back-end of a solid six-year stretch. With a 1.66 ERA and a 19-3 record, Greinke cashed out by signing a six-year, $206 million contract. The Diamondbacks locked Greinke up until he is 37 years old, and were banking on the hopes that he would continue his dominance. The fact of the matter is that Greinke may not be the superstar that we all make him out to be, and that ranking him at the 19th best pitcher in baseball is absurd.

Greinke benefited from wearing Dodger Blue more than people think. First off, Greinke pitched the majority of his games at Dodger Stadium, a historically pitcher-friendly park that is hard to hit in due to the immense smog in Southern California. Also, Greinke took a massive hit in Arizona due to the lack of quality fielding. The Diamondbacks ranked 26th according to Fangraphs Def rating, a stat that saw the Dodgers rank seventh. Yes, A.J. Pollock returning will certainly help Greinke, but outside of Los Angeles he will not produce the same numbers that fantasy baseball experts predict.

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