The 2016 MLB season is about to begin, and that means fantasy baseball teams are starting to come together for fans. This year there are some great options to draft among pitchers, but the best three to look at are Clayton Kershaw, David Price and Felix Hernandez.
Kershaw is coming in as one of the top players overall in fantasy, and team owners should target him as soon as possible. Although offensive players are usually what drives teams to fantasy championships, the consistency and talent of Kershaw is hard to pass up. The Dodgers are going to be contenders this season, and that only helps Kershaw when he is on the mound.
Price is making a move to the Boston Red Sox after pitching with the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays last season. Price was one of the biggest free agent signings of the offseason, and while he has high expectations in Boston, the pitcher should be able to meet them. The Red Sox have made some strong moves over the past couple years, and with a young player like Mookie Betts breaking out, Price should be in good position to pile up wins and positive numbers for fantasy owners.
Hernandez has Cy Young talent, and he appears primed for a big year. The pitcher spent the offseason working on his core strength and said that he wants to get the Mariners to the playoffs. Hernandez has a better team around him, and that could make him a top fantasy starter. Here is a look at the top pitchers for fantasy this year:
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
Kershaw has been the best pitcher in baseball for a number of years now, and that makes him a top fantasy target. Last season Kershaw put up a ton of points for fantasy owners, striking out 301 batters in 232 innings. Kershaw went 16-7 last season with a 2.13 ERA, and he should put up similar numbers this year. The strikeouts and the durability of Kershaw make him a great pick. The pitcher has made at least 33 starts in five of the last six seasons.
David Price, Red Sox
Price has the chance to be the ace of the Red Sox rotation and a great starter for fantasy owners. Price averaged more than a strikeout per inning last season, and over the last two years he has combined to make more than 60 starts. Price is durable and consistent, and that makes him a good anchor for any fantasy staff. Price knows the AL East from his time in Tampa Bay, and that should serve him well this season.
Felix Hernandez, Mariners
Overall, Hernandez did not have a great season in 2015, but he is poised for a bounce-back this year. The Mariners have made a lot of additions to the roster, and that should help Hernandez with run support. Last season Hernandez won 18 games to mark his highest total since 2009, but his ERA was over 3.50 after being at 2.14 the previous season. The rotation is expected to be deeper, and that will take some pressure off Hernandez when he takes the mound. The offense likely will score more runs, which gives Hernandez the chance to win more games. The Mariners have been one of the worst offensive teams in baseball over the past few years, and any boost in scoring would be huge for Hernandez and fantasy owners.
