Call to the pen
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Fantasy Baseball: Five rookie pitchers to target in 2019

By Jason Evans

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 30: Justus Sheffield #61 of the New York Yankees pitches during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Sunday September 30, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 30: Justus Sheffield #61 of the New York Yankees pitches during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Sunday September 30, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty images) /
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – JULY 15: Justus Sheffield #4 of Team USA pitches during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on Sunday, July 15, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Justus Sheffield

Kikuchi’s new teammate in Seattle, Justus Sheffield, is another arm that you should keep on your fantasy baseball radar throughout spring training as he could be battling for a spot in the Seattle Mariners rotation at some point this season.

Sheffield was the key piece of the James Paxton trade earlier this off-season with the New York Yankees, and is regarded as one of the top left-handed pitching prospects in all of baseball.

In 25 games between AA and AAA last year, Sheffield struck out 123 in 116.1 innings and held opponents to a .195 average against. The question with Sheffield is can he develop that third pitch. He’s got the fastball and the slider, and if he can nail down the changeup, and command his fastball better, he has a chance to stick and thrive in the starting rotation. Power, left-handed arms always have a ton of value, and the more he can start, the more valuable he’ll become.

Whether it be by trade or forcing his way, Sheffield will find himself a member of the Seattle Mariners rotation at some point in 2019. He makes a perfect stash option to unleash on your fantasy baseball roster once he gets called up.

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