Fantasy Baseball Player Notes

Scherzer struggled a bit through the first month of the season, but went on a patented run in May and June that made him look like the Scherzer of old. Unfortunately, a back injury largely derailed his second half, as he was limited to just over 20 innings over July and August. Scherzer is entering his age-36 season and is a max effort pitcher, so the fact that we finally saw a bit of a breakdown (Scherzer has reached at least 200 innings in his six previous seasons) is concerning. But his numbers are still elite and he should be taken as one of the first pitchers off the board despite the back scare.

Strasburg reached the 200-inning plateau for the second time in his career, and set a career high in wins with 18. Other than staying completely healthy, however, his numbers looked pretty much as they always have - just below the truly elite pitchers, but worthy of coming from your ace. Don't be sucked in by his magical postseason (1.98 ERA, 0.94 WHIP). Draft Strasburg as a top-10 pitcher, but expect his usual low-3.00 ERA and solid all around numbers.

Corbin largely followed up on his breakout 2018 season with the Nationals last year, again reaching the 200-inning plateau and pitching to a low-3.00 ERA. He continued to lean heavily on his outstanding slider, against which batters hit just .158. His walk rate and strikeout rate rose and fell just a tad from his peak, a trend that fantasy owners can expect to continue. But Corbin's baseline is excellent and even with further slow decline in skills, he should be an outstanding starter for a fantasy rotation.