Kenta Maeda

Fantasy managers rejoiced when Maeda was traded from the Dodgers to the Twins, but he surpassed even the loftiest of expectations. In the short season, Maeda went 6-1 with a 2.70 ERA, a 0.73 WHIP, and a 32.3% strikeout rate. In addition to simply being let loose with his innings, Maeda made a tangible change to his pitch mix, throwing far fewer fastball and more sliders and changeups (though his fastball was as effective as it had ever been last year, too). Maeda surely won't be able to repeat his numbers from 2020, as he allowed just a .208 BABIP, had an 80.2% LOB rate, and benefited from being able to feast on solely the NL and AL Central lineups. But even with some regression, he should still be a rock solid SP2, and should be drafted as such.

Kenta Maeda tosses five shutout innings in Game 1 no-decision

Twins starter Kenta Maeda tossed five shutout innings on two hits and three walks while striking out five in Tuesday's no-decision against the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the Wild Card Round.

Fantasy Impact

Maeda left with the lead on Tuesday but watched the bullpen allow four runs en route to a 1-4 loss. Maeda finished a strong season with a 2.70 ERA in 11 starts and did not disappoint in his first postseason start for Minnesota.