Fantasy Baseball 2014 > Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheets > Strikeouts

2014 Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheets: Strikeouts

SKIP TO: Starters | Relievers | Closers

We have a bone to pick with the fantasy nerds who decided that, even though Earned Runs are calculated as an average over nine innings (hence the acronym "ERA" for Earned Run Average), fantasy baseball scoring systems insist on using total strikeouts. Hell, even WHIP is an average, although it's based on 1 inning. In actuality, WHIP is only called "WHIP" because it's a nifty acronym that spells an easy-to-remember word. If you want to compare apples to apples, you can take a pitcher's WHIP and multiply it by nine, and that'll give you a depiction of what happens over nine innings, just like a pitcher's ERA.

As for total strikeouts, we're going to give you the Total Strikeouts cheat sheet below because that's probably what your league is going to keep track of in your scoring system. However, we're going to also give you a more-accurate picture of what to expect from a pitcher every time he takes the mound in terms of strikeouts by also listing the pitchers' K/9 (strikeouts per nine innings).

Total strikeouts in fantasy baseball is a bunch of crap for the most part. For one thing, it's reliant upon the number of starts a pitcher just happens to have based on the randomness of his team's schedule. If a crappy pitcher has two starts in a week (i.e.: if he starts Monday and then again on Saturday or Sunday), he's likely to have more strikeouts than a stud pitcher with only one start. So, even though we're going to give you the rankings based on Total Strikeouts, we want you to pay just as much attention to his K/9.
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
11
13
13
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
21
23
24
25
25
27
28
29
30
31
31
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
39
41
42
42
42
45
46
47
47
49
50
50
Starting Pitcher
 Darvish, Y
 Scherzer, M
 Kershaw, C
 Sale, C
 Lee, C
 Wainwright, A
 Verlander, J
 Hernandez, F
 Samardzija, J
 Burnett, A
 Sanchez, A
 Hamels, C
 Bumgarner, M
 Bailey, H
 Lynn, L
 Shields, J
 Masterson, J
 Jimenez, U
 Lincecum, T
 Gonzalez, G
 Harvey, M
 Strasburg, S
 Holland, D
 Wilson, C
 Fernandez, J
 Latos, M
 Iwakuma, H
 Minor, M
 Tillman, C
 Corbin, P
 Lester, J
 Dickey, R
 Sabathia, C
 Griffin, A
 Teheran, J
 Miller, S
 Nolasco, R
 Quintana, J
 Liriano, F
 Kennedy, I
 Kazmir, S
 Lackey, J
 Santana, E
 Zimmermann, J
 Fister, D
 Cain, M
 Dempster, R
 Medlen, K
 Ryu, H
 Haren, D
 Price, D
Total SO
277
240
232
226
222
219
217
216
214
209
202
202
199
199
198
196
195
194
193
192
191
191
189
188
187
187
185
181
179
178
177
177
175
171
170
169
165
164
163
163
162
161
161
161
159
158
157
157
154
151
151
K/9
11.89
10.08
8.85
9.49
8.97
8.16
8.95
9.51
9.01
9.85
9.99
8.26
8.90
8.57
8.84
7.71
9.09
9.56
8.79
8.83
9.64
9.39
7.99
7.97
9.75
7.99
7.58
7.96
7.81
7.69
7.47
7.09
7.46
7.70
8.24
8.78
7.45
7.38
9.11
8.09
9.23
7.65
6.87
6.79
6.86
7.71
8.25
7.17
7.22
8.01
7.28
ERA
2.83
2.90
1.83
3.07
2.87
2.94
3.46
3.04
4.34
3.30
2.57
3.60
2.77
3.49
3.97
3.15
3.45
3.30
4.37
3.36
2.27
3.00
3.42
3.39
2.19
3.16
2.66
3.21
3.71
3.41
3.75
4.21
4.78
3.83
3.20
3.06
3.70
3.51
3.02
4.91
4.04
3.52
3.24
3.25
3.67
4.00
4.57
3.11
3.00
4.67
3.33
Rank
52
53
54
54
56
56
58
59
59
59
62
62
64
65
66
66
68
68
70
70
72
73
74
75
75
77
77
79
79
81
81
83
84
85
85
87
87
89
89
91
92
92
94
95
96
96
98
99
100
Starting Pitcher
Kuroda, H
 Greinke, Z
 Norris, B
 Miley, W
 Gallardo, Y
 Wood, T
 Moore, M
 Volquez, E
 Porcello, R
 Gee, D
 Doubront, F
 Buehrle, M
 Bedard, E
 Santiago, H
 Kluber, C
 Garza, M
 Hellickson, J
 Jackson, E
 Cobb, A
 Parker, J
 Feldman, S
 Stults, E
 Peralta, W
 Cashner, A
 Pettitte, A
 Milone, T
 Chacin, J
 Locke, J
 Lohse, K
 Straily, D
 Arroyo, B
 Keuchel, D
 Leake, M
 Peavy, J
 Hughes, P
 Cingrani, T
 Gonzalez, M
 Ross, T
 Nicasio, J
 Estrada, M
 Weaver, J
 Colon, B
 Nova, I
 Davis, W
 Harang, A
 Hernandez, R
 De La Rosa, J
 Guthrie, J
 Kendrick, K
Total SO
150
148
147
147
144
144
143
142
142
142
139
139
138
137
136
136
135
135
134
134
132
131
129
128
128
126
126
125
125
124
124
123
122
121
121
120
120
119
119
118
117
117
116
114
113
113
112
111
110
K/9
6.71
7.50
7.49
6.53
7.17
6.48
8.56
7.50
7.22
6.42
7.71
6.14
8.23
8.28
8.31
7.88
6.98
6.93
8.41
6.12
6.54
5.79
6.33
6.58
6.22
7.25
5.75
6.76
5.66
7.33
5.52
7.20
5.71
7.53
7.48
10.32
6.30
8.57
6.79
8.30
6.82
5.53
7.49
7.58
7.10
6.74
6.01
4.72
5.44
ERA
3.31
2.63
4.18
3.55
4.18
3.11
3.29
5.71
4.32
3.62
4.32
4.15
4.59
3.56
3.85
3.82
5.17
4.98
2.76
3.97
3.86
3.93
4.37
3.09
3.74
4.14
3.47
3.52
3.35
3.96
3.79
5.15
3.37
4.17
5.19
2.92
3.78
3.17
5.14
3.87
3.27
2.65
3.10
5.32
5.40
4.89
3.49
4.04
4.70
Rank
101
102
103
103
105
105
107
108
109
110
110
110
110
110
115
116
117
117
117
120
121
122
123
123
125
126
127
128
128
130
130
132
133
133
133
136
136
138
138
138
138
142
142
142
142
142
147
148
149
149
Starting Pitcher
Vargas, J
 Blanton, J
 Williams, J
 Saunders, J
 Niese, J
 Maholm, P
 Chen, W
 Villanueva, C
 Cahill, T
 Archer, C
 McAllister, Z
 Richards, G
 Pelfrey, M
 Correia, K
 Cole, G
 Hefner, J
 Buchholz, C
 Rogers, E
 Hammel, J
 Hudson, T
 Lyles, J
 Koehler, T
 Danks, J
 Harrell, L
 Gaudin, C
 Zito, B
 Morton, C
 Wheeler, Z
 Perez, M
 Johnson, J
 Gorzelanny, T
 Capuano, C
 Phelps, D
 Delgado, R
 Kelly, J
 Eovaldi, N
 Chen, B
 Wood, A
 Peacock, B
 Happ, J
 Turner, J
 Redmond, T
 Slowey, K
 Tepesch, N
 Grimm, J
 McCarthy, B
 Torres, C
 Axelrod, D
 Ogando, A
 Marquis, J
Total SO
109
108
107
107
105
105
104
103
102
101
101
101
101
101
100
99
96
96
96
95
93
92
89
89
88
86
85
84
84
83
83
81
79
79
79
78
78
77
77
77
77
76
76
76
76
76
75
73
72
72
K/9
6.54
7.33
5.69
5.26
6.61
6.18
6.83
7.20
6.26
7.06
6.77
6.27
5.95
4.90
7.67
6.82
7.98
6.28
6.20
6.51
5.91
5.79
5.79
5.21
8.16
5.81
6.59
7.56
6.08
9.18
8.75
6.90
8.20
6.11
5.73
6.60
5.80
8.92
8.32
7.48
5.87
8.88
7.43
7.35
6.98
5.07
7.82
5.12
6.21
5.51
ERA
4.02
6.04
4.57
5.26
3.71
4.41
4.07
4.06
3.99
3.22
3.75
4.16
5.19
4.18
3.22
4.34
1.74
4.77
4.97
3.97
5.59
4.41
4.75
5.86
3.06
5.74
3.26
3.42
3.62
6.20
3.90
4.26
4.98
4.26
2.69
3.39
3.27
3.13
5.18
4.56
3.74
4.32
4.11
4.84
5.97
4.53
3.44
5.68
3.11
4.05

More Differentiation Between Total Strikeouts and K/9

Total Strikeouts is a positive reflection of a pitcher's durability, as well as his ability to strike guys out.

K/9 (Strikeouts per 9 Innings) is a more-accurate reflection of what you can expect of a pitcher every time he takes the mound.

Take James Shields for example: Shields struck out 196 batters which ranked 16th among all pitchers, however his K/9 were 7.71, which ranked 85th. Can you count on James Shields to strike out a fair amount of batters? Yes. Nonetheless, his total strikeouts are a better depiction of his durability. Shields started 34 games and pitched in 228.2 innings (3rd most in baseball).

Now, take Reds' starter, Tony Cingriani, by comparison: at first glance, Cingriani only struck out 120 batters (ranked 87th in baseball). But,looking deeper into his stats, we see that he only started 18 games and, therefore, only pitched 104.2 innings. Suddenly, he looks a lot more valuable, doesn't he? His K/9 are up at 10.32. Now we see him in a whole new light. Cingriani strikes out more than one guy every inning, and it looks like he's a good candidate for the Reds' rotation this season.

Will Tony Cingriani be drafted well after James Shields in your league? Absolutely. Might Cingriani be a better all-around fantasy pitcher for your team as a late-round pick or a $1-$3 auction draft pick? Could be. The strikeouts say so, even though he technically struck out fewer batters than Shields did in 2013. So don't just pay attention to total strikeouts - K/9 are a better reflection of what to expect out of a pitcher every time he takes the mound.
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
7
9
9
11
11
13
14
14
16
17
18
19
20
20
20
23
24
25
25
25
28
28
30
30
32
33
33
35
35
35
35
35
35
41
41
41
41
41
46
46
46
46
46
Reliever
 Santiago, H
 Ross, T
 Chapman, A
 Jansen, K
 Rosenthal, T
 Williams, J
 Holland, G
 Villanueva, C
 Uehara, K
 Richards, G
 Kimbrel, C
 Frieri, E
 Rogers, E
 Jones, N
 Harrell, L
 Allen, C
 Ramos, A
 Collmenter, J
 Gorzelanny, T
 Rodney, F
 Hochevar, L
 Delabar, S
 Smyly, D
 Furbush, C
 Farquhar, D
 Stammen, C
 Kelly, J
 Ottavino, A
 Chen, B
 Perkins, G
 Robertson, D
 Brothers, R
 Henderson, J
 McGee, J
 Cishek, S
 Grilli, J
 Perez, O
 Herrera, K
 Peralta, J
 Carpenter, D
 Nathan, J
 Benoit, J
 Shaw, B
 Fien, C
 Clippard, T
 Reed, A
 Balfour, G
 Bell, H
 Dunn, M
 Tazawa, J
SO
137
119
112
111
108
107
103
103
101
101
98
98
96
89
89
88
86
85
83
82
82
82
81
80
79
79
79
78
78
77
77
76
75
75
74
74
74
74
74
74
73
73
73
73
73
72
72
72
72
72
K/9
8.28
8.57
15.83
13.03
12.90
5.69
13.84
7.20
12.23
6.27
13.16
12.84
6.28
10.27
5.21
11.26
9.68
8.32
8.75
11.07
10.49
12.58
9.59
11.08
12.77
8.71
5.73
8.96
5.80
11.06
10.45
10.16
11.25
10.77
9.56
13.32
12.57
11.42
9.34
10.14
10.16
9.81
8.76
10.60
9.25
9.08
10.34
9.87
9.58
9.48
SV
0
0
38
28
3
0
47
0
21
1
50
37
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
37
2
1
2
0
16
0
0
0
0
36
3
19
28
1
34
33
2
2
1
0
43
24
1
0
0
40
38
15
2
0
IP
149.0
125.0
63.7
76.7
75.3
169.3
67.0
128.7
74.3
145.0
67.0
68.7
137.7
78.0
153.7
70.3
80.0
92.0
85.3
66.7
70.3
58.7
76.0
65.0
55.7
81.7
124.0
78.3
121.0
62.7
66.3
67.3
60.0
62.7
69.7
50.0
53.0
58.3
71.3
65.7
64.7
67.0
75.0
62.0
71.0
71.3
62.7
65.7
67.7
68.3
How to use the list above:
You'll notice there are quite a few relievers up there who weren't/aren't Closers, and there were even a few who started a good number of games (see the guys with the highest Innings Pitched). If your pitching staff just can't compete in Saves, we recommend you find a guy off the waiver wires in your league who is currently a starter but also qualifies as a relief pitcher. Two seasons ago, Kris Medlen saved a lot of fantasy pitching staffs for that very reason: he was a starter most of the year, but he qualified as a relief pitcher as well. This allows you to compete (if not dominate) in total strikeouts if you find that your team just can't compete in Saves.
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
5
7
8
9
10
11
12
12
14
14
16
16
16
19
20
21
22
23
24
24
26
27
27
27
30
31
32
32
34
35
35
37
38
39
40
Closer
 Chapman, A
 Jansen, K
 Holland, G
 Uehara, K
 Kimbrel, C
 Frieri, E
 Rodney, F
 Farquhar, D
 Perkins, G
 Brothers, R
 Henderson, J
 Cishek, S
 Grilli, J
 Nathan, J
 Benoit, J
 Reed, A
 Balfour, G
 Bell, H
 Melancon, M
 Gregerson, L
 Veras, J
 Romo, S
 Papelbon, J
 Johnson, J
 Gregg, K
 Hawkins, L
 Rivera, M
 Perez, C
 Rodriguez, F
 Soriano, R
 Janssen, C
 Mujica, E
 Street, H
 Wilhelmsen, T
 Parnell, B
 Ziegler, B
 Fields, J
 Putz, J
 Pestano, V
 League, B
SO
112
111
103
101
98
98
82
79
77
76
75
74
74
73
73
72
72
72
70
64
60
58
57
56
56
55
54
54
54
51
50
46
46
45
44
44
40
38
37
28
K/9
15.83
13.03
13.84
12.23
13.16
12.84
11.07
12.77
11.06
10.16
11.25
9.56
13.32
10.16
9.81
9.08
10.34
9.87
8.87
8.68
8.62
8.65
8.32
7.17
8.13
7.00
7.59
9.00
10.41
6.89
8.54
6.40
7.31
6.86
7.92
5.42
9.47
9.96
9.42
4.64
SV
43
32
50
24
54
41
45
20
40
21
32
36
35
46
26
48
41
22
21
9
25
43
36
59
38
16
51
30
10
49
36
41
35
29
26
15
6
11
9
19