Today, ‘Call to the Pen’ is going to examine the top 10 pitchers in baseball using the “Steamer” MLB projections system.
In today’s MLB projections, we’re going to take a look at perhaps the most important players on the ball field on any given day, the starting pitchers. These guys take the mound every fifth day, carrying their team on their backs in hopes of obtaining a win.
In all, the players on this are under contract for a touch over $1.3 billion, which is fascinating to think about. Especially when you consider that each of them will probably take the field somewhere between 25-30 times during an entire MLB season.
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With that being said, let’s jump right into it. At number 10, the Steamer MLB projections system has the 2018 AL Cy Young award winner…
Blake Snell, Tampa Bay Rays
Combined, Blake Snell‘s 4-year career plays like that of a decent starter who can compete for an All-Star slot in any given season. On the other end, his best season (2018) compares to that of elite status.
That year, Snell lead the league in wins (21) and ERA (1.89), missing out on the pitching triple-crown just slightly. He placed 6th in the league in strikeouts with 221. Not too shabby, huh?
His follow-up season, however, paled in comparison. In fact, in 2019 Snell might have had his worst statistical MLB season yet. In fact, he pitched to a sub-500 record and posted his worst career ERA and HR9 totals.
That’s not to say that Snell’s 2018 season was a complete fluke. If anything, we can write off 2019 as an aberration when you consider that he spent two separate stints on the IL. First after fracturing his right toe and then for loose bodies in his left elbow.
If Snell can stay healthy, 2020 looks to be a promising season. Given some of the pitchers the Rays dealt this offseason, Snell figures to be a key to this teams overall success.