NL Sleeper Pitchers

Aug 16, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez (37) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

SP Henderson Alvarez of the Miami Marlins

Henderson Alvarez carries far more value in real life than he will in fantasy. Alvarez barely records any strikeouts and he outperformed his peripherals big time in 2014, but he still will provide a stable ERA and the chance to record wins and quality starts. I would not own him in a league that uses strikeout rates or ratios, but Alvarez has the chance to provide a sparkling ERA once again.

RP Ken Giles of the Philadelphia Phillies

If Jonathan Papelbon is traded, then Ken Giles will instantly ascend to fantasy relevancy and potential dominance as a closer. In 2014, Giles struck out 38.6% of the hitters he faced and backed up his K’s with a 1.18 ERA and a .79 WHIP. Ken Giles looked absolutely dominant as a rookie and he could easily be a top 10 closer if Papelbon is traded, regardless of how bad Philly will be. Here is a little more on Ken Giles.

SP Mike Fiers of the Milwaukee Brewers

Fiers made only ten starts in 2014, but he was spectacular when he took the mound on every fifth day for the Brewers. Mike Fiers recorded a filthy 2.13 ERA, a .88 WHIP, and he struck out over a batter per inning. His 21.5% K-BB% would have fallen between Felix Hernandez and Max Scherzer if he threw enough innings. I knew I wanted Fiers in 2015 after I saw him strike out 14 Cubs in only 6 innings, and he is my top NL sleeper.

SP Rubby de la Rosa of the Arizona Diamondbacks

Rubby de la Rosa is currently expected to find his way into the Arizona rotation, and I am very excited about his potential. Rubby excites me because he can light up the radar gun even if his strong velocity did not yet translate into K’s in 2014. I think we see roughly a 3.50 ERA and a nice uptick in strikeouts. I feel confident that Rubby de la Rosa will slip through the cracks on draft day, but that may be a mistake.

SP Archie Bradley of the Arizona Diamondbacks

Bradley is a heralded prospect and still only 22 years old, but he is more of a keeper pick for 2015. I am afraid that Archie Bradley will walk far too many hitters for your fantasy purposes this season. Keep a close tab on Bradley because he can turn the corner any day.

SP Brandon McCarthy of the Los Angeles Dodgers

Brandon McCarthy has not lived up to his peripherals for years now, and I am sure it is both a huge disappointment to both McCarthy himself and sabermetricians everywhere. His 3.00 SIERA was good for 11^th in MLB and just trailed the great Madison Bumgarner, but McCarthy saw his ERA sit at 4.05 for the season. We know that Brandon McCarthy is better than what his basic numbers show, but I hope he will finally live up to his advanced metrics in 2015.

SP Andrew Cashner of the San Diego Padres

It is hard to call Cashner a sleeper, but I have seen him on a few 2015 sleeper lists. Andrew Cashner is likely the Opening Day starter for the Padres, and I expect him to procure a low ERA once again. If Cashner sees his strikeout total rise, then we could see a top 20 season from him.