Weekly Pitcher Rankings: The Golden Archer

Weekly Pitcher Rankings: The Golden Archer

This article is part of our Weekly Pitcher Rankings series.

As always, remember that rotations are subject to change, so if you see something that looks incorrect, assume that it was a change that occurred since this was written and feel free to politely bring it up in the comments, and I'll let you know where the new arm slots.

For the week May 11-17

AMERICAN LEAGUE

START

1. Chris Archer - NYY, at MIN
Note: Don't sweat the back-to-back 4-BB games, he has those sometimes; still notched 13 Ks in 9.3 IP
2. Jeff Samardzija - at MIL, at OAK
Note: Weird season with 3 great, 3 bad starts; expect Ks to keep rising (5-plus in four starts)
3. Felix Hernandez - BOS
4. David Price - MIN
Note: Friday hamstring scare unlikely to be an issue; stay tuned to RotoWire news just in case
5. Collin McHugh - SF
Note: 4-HR game vs. SEA suggests HR problem (1.2 HR/9) when there's not (0.3 HR/9 in other 5 starts)
6. Michael Pineda - at KC
Note: Shown he doesn't need Ks to succeed, but did log passable 6.2 K/9 vs. KC in couple starts last year
7. Garrett Richards - at BAL
8. Dallas Keuchel - TOR
Note: Jays are AL's lefty mashers (142 wRC+), but starting to think a team only holds title until facing Keuchel
9. Chris Sale - at MIL
10. Corey Kluber - STL
Note: Still buying, and probably getting discount; skills still great, suggest low-3.00 ERA rest of the way
11. Scott Kazmir -
As always, remember that rotations are subject to change, so if you see something that looks incorrect, assume that it was a change that occurred since this was written and feel free to politely bring it up in the comments, and I'll let you know where the new arm slots.

For the week May 11-17

AMERICAN LEAGUE

START

1. Chris Archer - NYY, at MIN
Note: Don't sweat the back-to-back 4-BB games, he has those sometimes; still notched 13 Ks in 9.3 IP
2. Jeff Samardzija - at MIL, at OAK
Note: Weird season with 3 great, 3 bad starts; expect Ks to keep rising (5-plus in four starts)
3. Felix Hernandez - BOS
4. David Price - MIN
Note: Friday hamstring scare unlikely to be an issue; stay tuned to RotoWire news just in case
5. Collin McHugh - SF
Note: 4-HR game vs. SEA suggests HR problem (1.2 HR/9) when there's not (0.3 HR/9 in other 5 starts)
6. Michael Pineda - at KC
Note: Shown he doesn't need Ks to succeed, but did log passable 6.2 K/9 vs. KC in couple starts last year
7. Garrett Richards - at BAL
8. Dallas Keuchel - TOR
Note: Jays are AL's lefty mashers (142 wRC+), but starting to think a team only holds title until facing Keuchel
9. Chris Sale - at MIL
10. Corey Kluber - STL
Note: Still buying, and probably getting discount; skills still great, suggest low-3.00 ERA rest of the way
11. Scott Kazmir - BOS, CWS
Note: 6 ER vs. MIN, as many as in 5 starts; it was a rough start, but he's fine and pitching brilliantly (25% K)
12. Carlos Carrasco - STL, at TEX
Note: Another buy-low CLE SP, or even buy-at-market-value; not 4.71 ERA arm, pitching much better than that
13. Sonny Gray - BOS
14. Jake Odorizzi - NYY
Note: Seventh consecutive start against a division opponent
15. Anibal Sanchez - at STL
Note: Since 9 ER nightmare vs. CWS: 3.05 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 23% K rate in 20.7 IP
16. R.A. Dickey - at HOU
17. Jose Quintana - at MIL
Note: Since 9 ER nightmare at DET (not same game as Sanchez): 2.37 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 24% K rate in 19 IP
18. Rick Porcello - at OAK, at SEA
Note: Outside of BAL shellacking (8 ER), has 2.91 ERA in 34 IP; 21 percent K rate is career high
19. Alex Colome - NYY, at MIN
Note: Cobb TJ all but ensures Colome's spot in the rotation the rest of the season
20. Edinson Volquez - at TEX, NYY
Note: Last outing was Vintage Volquez (6 BB), but I'm willing to give him one dud
21. Yordano Ventura - at TEX
22. Danny Salazar - at TEX
Note: Still allowed a HR/game, which tempers excitement, but keeping guys off base to limit HR damage
23. Danny Duffy - at TEX, NYY
24. Phil Hughes - TB
25. James Paxton - SD, BOS
Note: 2.7 IP/7 ER dud left a bad taste, but looked like himself since: 2.41 ERA, 1.18 ERA, 18 Ks in 18.7 IP
26. Nathan Eovaldi - at TB, at KC
27. Trevor Bauer - STL
Note: Just not a finished product yet: after 5 ER in April, allowed 11 ER in two May starts
28. Jesse Chavez - CWS
Note: He's more mid-3.00s than sub-3.00s, but remember had sub-3.00 ERA through first 16 starts last year
29. Trevor May - TB
30. Wei-Yin Chen - LAA
31. Matt Shoemaker - at BAL
Note: Command-and-control from last year isn't there consistently; 3 multi-HR games
32. Alfredo Simon - MIN, at STL
33. J.A. Happ - BOS
Note: Last start balanced him out a bit; expect something like his 3.51 ERA from here on
34. Miguel Gonzalez - TOR
35. Jesse Hahn - CWS
Note: Ks are returning after a really slow start (5 in his first 3 starts)
36. Chase Whitley - at TB
Note: Interested to see how he fares Saturday afternoon vs. BAL; showed some flashes last year, too
37. Yovani Gallardo - KC
Note: Solid, if unspectacular, but this ranking speaks more to the depth of AL pitching
38. Chris Tillman - TOR
39. Nate Karns - NYY
40. Hector Santiago - COL
Note: Living dangerously with 12 percent walk rate; unless maintains .237 BABIP, ERA will rise by at least a run
41. C.J. Wilson - COL
42. Mike Pelfrey - at DET
Note:Mike Pelfrey is awesome now? That's the world we're living in? 1 K, 4 BB in last two; add 2 runs to ERA
43. Ricky Nolasco - at DET
44. Roenis Elias - SD
Note: If new strikeout rate (up from 21 to 25 percent) is legit, could be a solid option for a while
45. Chris Young - NYY
46. Clay Buchholz - at SEA
Note: K, BB rates draw attention, but you watch him pitch and you understand the volatility; be careful
47. Joe Kelly - at SEA
48. Drew Hutchison - at HOU
49. Kyle Lobstein - MIN
Note: 57 percent GB rate covers some K:BB weakness, but not sure it supports 1.4 K:BB; not a bad matchup

SIT

50. CC Sabathia - at TB, at KC
51. Justin Masterson - at OAK, at SEA
52. Ubaldo Jimenez - TOR, LAA
Note: Just can't buy in and these two offenses don't make for an appealing two-start slate
53. Kyle Gibson - at DET, TB
54. Marco Estrada - at BAL, at HOU
Note: Homer-happy teams against homer-prone pitcher
55. Shane Greene - at STL
Note: Command is a complete mess, and I'm not sure it's set to get better at STL
56. Drew Pomeranz - BOS
57. Taijuan Walker - BOS
58. Jered Weaver - at BAL
59. Nick Martinez - KC, CLE
Note: Still. Not. Buying.
60. Mark Buehrle - at BAL, at HOU
61. Bud Norris - LAA
62. Scott Feldman - TOR
63. Adam Warren - at TB
64. Matt Andriese - at MIN
Note: Just speculating on who might take Smyly's spot; such a bummer that Smyly is hurt again
65. Bruce Chen - at TEX
66. John Danks - at OAK
67. Wandy Rodriguez - CLE
68. Ross Detwiler - KC
69. Aaron Sanchez - at BAL
70. Wade Miley - at OAK
71. Roberto Hernandez - TOR
72. Jeremy Guthrie - at TEX
73. Hector Noesi - at OAK
74. Colby Lewis - KC, CLE
75. Samuel Deduno - SF, TOR

NATIONAL LEAGUE

START

1. Max Scherzer - at ARI, at SD
Note: Not sure why he was out for 8th in last outing, it marred a gem, but nothing to worry about long-term
2. Gerrit Cole - at PHI, at CHC
Note: If gotta go on road twice, might as well get league's worst team vs. RHP and highest K rate vs. RHP
3. Clayton Kershaw - COL
Note: About only blemish on Kershaw's record is HR rate (1.2); allowed 9 last year, has 5 already this year
4. Johnny Cueto - SF
5. Matt Harvey - at CHC
Note: Could see a season high in Ks from Harvey (currently 9)
6. Zack Greinke - COL
7. James Shields - WAS
Note: Absolutely loving the K rate (30 percent), but what's with all the homers? (7 in his last 2; 11 all year)
8. Jake Arrieta - NYM, PIT
9. Lance Lynn - at CLE, DET
Note: Don't really understand volatility, but at least getting Ks even in duds (career-high 28 percent K rate)
10. Madison Bumgarner - at CIN
11. Andrew Cashner - WAS
Note: Pitched much better than his 1-5 record; I'm buying the new K rate, too
12. Jon Lester - NYM, PIT
13. Stephen Strasburg - at ARI, at SD
Note: Apparently he was chiropracted back to health
14. A.J. Burnett - at PHI, at CHC
Note: Pittsburgh Burnett is the best Burnett
15. Jacob deGrom - at CHC, MIL
16. Shelby Miller - at CIN, at MIN
Note: K rate hasn't quite returned to 2013, but 49 percent GB rate is a career high
17. Bartolo Colon - at CHC, MIL
Note: Has a 0.6 percent walk rate. Point. Six. Percent.
18. Francisco Liriano - at PHI
19. Cole Hamels - PIT
Note: Three homer-free outings in last four, 25 percent K rate is a three-year high
20. Julio Teheran - at MIA
21. Michael Wacha - at CLE
Note: Love results (5-0, 2.09 ERA, 1.03 WHIP), but 12 percent K rate won't cut it over long haul; has stuff for more
22. Jordan Zimmermann - at SD
23. Gio Gonzalez - at ARI
Note: Excellent in three of last four and will continue to shave his ERA
24. Tyson Ross - WAS
Note: Walk rate is alarming, but still getting Ks, and willing to give him some leeway
25. Jason Hammel - NYM
26. John Lackey - at CLE
Note: Made up for weird 1-K outing vs. PHI with 10-spot against Cubs; great in four of six starts
27. Chase Anderson - at PHI
28. Mike Leake - ATL, SF
Note: Sort of like Wacha except we know strikeout rate isn't headed upward with a career 16 percent rate
29. Ian Kennedy - at SEA, WAS
30. Wily Peralta - CWS, at NYM
31. Carlos Martinez - DET
Note: The NL's Trevor Bauer, we want to declare him a finished product after every good start; it takes time
32. Alex Wood - at MIA
33. Anthony DeSclafani - ATL, SF
Note: Walks have been the big issue in last two (9) after just six in his first four starts
34. Jimmy Nelson - CWS
Note: One bad outing (2.3 IP/7 ER) can really smash bottom line numbers; Nelson's been mostly good
35. Travis Wood - NYM
36. Rubby De La Rosa - WAS
Note: Finally turning corner? 25 percent K rate is nice, but we knew it was there; 7 percent BB rate is real key
37. Mat Latos - ATL
Note: Just don't think he's as bad as we've seen through six starts
38. Aaron Harang - PIT
39. Archie Bradley - at PHI
40. Jorge De La Rosa - at LAD
Note: That dirty first outing will weigh on numbers for another month, but the surge in K rate is enticing
41. Mike Fiers - CWS
42. Carlos Frias - MIA, COL
Note: Still being stretched out so we've only seen 5 and 5.3 IP, but they'll keep working him up
43. Chris Heston - at HOU, at CIN
Note: Still a little unknown, but we've seen best, worst; probably will be a 3.40-3.70ish guy with big WHIP
44. Tim Lincecum - at CIN
Note: OK, I'm kinda starting to buy a little something; I like the 54 percent GB rate for sure
45. Kyle Lohse - at NYM
Note: Slowly chiseling ERA down; think he'll be at least a 3.80ish arm the rest of way
46. Dan Haren - at LAD
47. Brett Anderson - MIA
Note: Hasn't fanned more than 4 in a single outing yet, but at least that 63 percent GB rate rules
48. Doug Fister - at SD
49. Vance Worley - at PHI
Note: After 6 ER in first start, allowed just 7 ER in his last 4 starts (2.66 ERA in 23.7 IP)
50. Jon Niese - at CHC
51. Kyle Hendricks - PIT
Note: Not sure if I buy the improved K rate yet as it's been inconsistent: 3, 8, 2, 6, 1
52. Josh Collmenter - WAS
53. Tim Hudson - at HOU
Note: One of his best chances to pump his K rate
54. Matt Garza - at NYM
55. Jarred Cosart - at LAD
56. Michael Lorenzen - SF
Note: Matchup is right to continue riding the rookie, but we're still dealing with an unknown
57. Mike Foltynewicz - at CIN
58. Dillon Gee - MIL
Note: He's kinda whatever, but you can start him here against the Brewers

SIT

59. Jeff Locke - at CHC
60. Tom Koehler - at LAD, ATL
61. David Phelps - ATL
62. Joe Wieland - MIA, COL
63. Odrisamer Despaigne - at SEA
Note: Skills have just cratered and they weren't good enough to sustain a real drop
64. Robbie Ray - WAS
65. Jason Marquis - ATL
66. Tyler Lyons - DET
67. Jeremy Hellickson - at PHI
68. Eric Stults - at CIN
69. Ryan Vogelsong - at CIN
70. Chad Billingsley - ARI
71. Christian Bergman - at LAA, at LAD
Note: Will take over for Matzek, who was sent down
72. Eddie Butler - at LAD
73. Jordan Lyles - at LAA
74. Kyle Kendrick - at LAD
75. Jerome Williams - PIT, ARI
76. Sean O'Sullivan - PIT, ARI

MLB TOP 100

1. Max Scherzer - at ARI, at SD
Note: Not sure why he was out for 8th in last outing, it marred a gem, but nothing to worry about long-term
2. Gerrit Cole - at PHI, at CHC
Note: If gotta go on road twice, might as well get league's worst team vs. RHP and highest K rate vs. RHP
3. Clayton Kershaw - COL
Note: About only blemish on Kershaw's record is HR rate (1.2); allowed 9 last year, has 5 already this year
4. Johnny Cueto - SF
5. Matt Harvey - at CHC
Note: Could see a season high in Ks from Harvey (currently 9)
6. Chris Archer - NYY, at MIN
Note: Don't sweat the back-to-back 4-BB games, he has those sometimes; still notched 13 Ks in 9.3 IP
7. Jeff Samardzija - at MIL, at OAK
Note: Weird season with 3 great, 3 bad starts; expect Ks to keep rising (5-plus in four starts)
8. Felix Hernandez - BOS
9. David Price - MIN
Note: Friday hamstring scare unlikely to be an issue; stay tuned to RotoWire news just in case
10. Zack Greinke - COL
11. James Shields - WAS
Note: Absolutely loving the K rate (30 percent), but what's with all the homers? (7 in his last 2; 11 all year)
12. Jake Arrieta - NYM, PIT
13. Lance Lynn - at CLE, DET
Note: Don't really understand volatility, but at least getting Ks even in duds (career-high 28 percent K rate)
14. Madison Bumgarner - at CIN
15. Andrew Cashner - WAS
Note: Pitched much better than his 1-5 record; I'm buying the new K rate, too
16. Jon Lester - NYM, PIT
17. Stephen Strasburg - at ARI, at SD
Note: Apparently he was chiropracted back to health
18. A.J. Burnett - at PHI, at CHC
Note: Pittsburgh Burnett is the best Burnett
19. Jacob deGrom - at CHC, MIL
20. Collin McHugh - SF
Note: 4-HR game vs. SEA suggests HR problem (1.2 HR/9) when there's not (0.3 HR/9 in other 5 starts)
21. Michael Pineda - at KC
Note: Shown he doesn't need Ks to succeed, but did log passable 6.2 K/9 vs. KC in couple starts last year
22. Garrett Richards - at BAL
23. Dallas Keuchel - TOR
Note: Jays are AL's lefty mashers (142 wRC+), but starting to think a team only holds title until facing Keuchel
24. Chris Sale - at MIL
25. Corey Kluber - STL
Note: Still buying, and probably getting discount; skills still great, suggest low-3.00 ERA rest of the way
26. Scott Kazmir - BOS, CWS
Note: 6 ER vs. MIN, as many as in 5 starts; it was a rough start, but he's fine and pitching brilliantly (25% K)
27. Carlos Carrasco - STL, at TEX
Note: Another buy-low CLE SP, or even buy-at-market-value; not 4.71 ERA arm, pitching much better than that
28. Shelby Miller - at CIN, at MIN
Note: K rate hasn't quite returned to 2013, but 49 percent GB rate is a career high
29. Bartolo Colon - at CHC, MIL
Note: Has a 0.6 percent walk rate. Point. Six. Percent.
30. Francisco Liriano - at PHI
31. Cole Hamels - PIT
Note: Three homer-free outings in last four, 25 percent K rate is a three-year high
32. Julio Teheran - at MIA
33. Sonny Gray - BOS
34. Jake Odorizzi - NYY
Note: Seventh consecutive start against a division opponent
35. Anibal Sanchez - at STL
Note: Since 9 ER nightmare vs. CWS: 3.05 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 23% K rate in 20.7 IP
36. R.A. Dickey - at HOU
37. Jose Quintana - at MIL
Note: Since 9 ER nightmare at DET (not same game as Sanchez): 2.37 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 24% K rate in 19 IP
38. Rick Porcello - at OAK, at SEA
Note: Outside of BAL shellacking (8 ER), has 2.91 ERA in 34 IP; 21 percent K rate is career high
39. Alex Colome - NYY, at MIN
Note: Cobb TJ all but ensures Colome's spot in the rotation the rest of the season
40. Edinson Volquez - at TEX, NYY
Note: Last outing was Vintage Volquez (6 BB), but I'm willing to give him one dud
41. Michael Wacha - at CLE
Note: Love results (5-0, 2.09 ERA, 1.03 WHIP), but 12 percent K rate won't cut it over long haul; has stuff for more
42. Jordan Zimmermann - at SD
43. Gio Gonzalez - at ARI
Note: Excellent in three of last four and will continue to shave his ERA
44. Tyson Ross - WAS
Note: Walk rate is alarming, but still getting Ks, and willing to give him some leeway
45. Jason Hammel - NYM
46. John Lackey - at CLE
Note: Made up for weird 1-K outing vs. PHI with 10-spot against Cubs; great in four of six starts
47. Chase Anderson - at PHI
48. Mike Leake - ATL, SF
Note: Sort of like Wacha except we know strikeout rate isn't headed upward with a career 16 percent rate
49. Ian Kennedy - at SEA, WAS
50. Wily Peralta - CWS, at NYM
51. Yordano Ventura - at TEX
52. Danny Salazar - at TEX
Note: Still allowed a HR/game, which tempers excitement, but keeping guys off base to limit HR damage
53. Danny Duffy - at TEX, NYY
54. Phil Hughes - TB
55. James Paxton - SD, BOS
Note: 2.7 IP/7 ER dud left a bad taste, but looked like himself since: 2.41 ERA, 1.18 ERA, 18 Ks in 18.7 IP
56. Carlos Martinez - DET
Note: The NL's Trevor Bauer, we want to declare him a finished product after every good start; it takes time
57. Alex Wood - at MIA
58. Anthony DeSclafani - ATL, SF
Note: Walks have been the big issue in last two (9) after just six in his first four starts
59. Jimmy Nelson - CWS
Note: One bad outing (2.3 IP/7 ER) can really smash bottom line numbers; Nelson's been mostly good
60. Travis Wood - NYM
61. Rubby De La Rosa - WAS
Note: Finally turning corner? 25 percent K rate is nice, but we knew it was there; 7 percent BB rate is real key
62. Mat Latos - ATL
Note: Just don't think he's as bad as we've seen through six starts
63. Aaron Harang - PIT
64. Archie Bradley - at PHI
65. Jorge De La Rosa - at LAD
Note: That dirty first outing will weigh on numbers for another month, but the surge in K rate is enticing
66. Nathan Eovaldi - at TB, at KC
67. Trevor Bauer - STL
Note: Just not a finished product yet: after 5 ER in April, allowed 11 ER in two May starts
68. Jesse Chavez - CWS
Note: He's more mid-3.00s than sub-3.00s, but remember had sub-3.00 ERA through first 16 starts last year
69. Trevor May - TB
70. Wei-Yin Chen - LAA
71. Matt Shoemaker - at BAL
Note: Command-and-control from last year isn't there consistently; 3 multi-HR games
72. Alfredo Simon - MIN, at STL
73. J.A. Happ - BOS
Note: Last start balanced him out a bit; expect something like his 3.51 ERA from here on
74. Miguel Gonzalez - TOR
75. Jesse Hahn - CWS
Note: Ks are returning after a really slow start (5 in his first 3 starts)
76. Chase Whitley - at TB
Note: Interested to see how he fares Saturday afternoon vs. BAL; showed some flashes last year, too
77. Yovani Gallardo - KC
Note: He's been solid, if unspectacular, but this ranking speaks more to the depth of AL pitching right now
78. Chris Tillman - TOR
79. Nate Karns - NYY
80. Hector Santiago - COL
Note: Living dangerously with 12 percent walk rate; unless maintains .237 BABIP, ERA will rise by at least a run
81. Mike Fiers - CWS
82. Carlos Frias - MIA, COL
Note: Still being stretched out so we've only seen 5 and 5.3 IP, but they'll keep working him up
83. Chris Heston - at HOU, at CIN
Note: Still a little unknown, but we've seen best, worst; probably will be a 3.40-3.70ish guy with big WHIP
84. Tim Lincecum - at CIN
Note: OK, I'm kinda starting to buy a little something; I like the 54 percent GB rate for sure
85. Kyle Lohse - at NYM
Note: Slowly chiseling ERA down; think he'll be at least a 3.80ish arm the rest of way
86. Dan Haren - at LAD
87. Brett Anderson - MIA
Note: Hasn't fanned more than 4 in a single outing yet, but at least that 63 percent GB rate rules
88. Doug Fister - at SD
89. Vance Worley - at PHI
Note: After 6 ER in first start, allowed just 7 ER in his last 4 starts (2.66 ERA in 23.7 IP)
90. Jon Niese - at CHC
91. Kyle Hendricks - PIT
Note: Not sure if I buy the improved K rate yet as it's been inconsistent: 3, 8, 2, 6, 1
92. Josh Collmenter - WAS
93. Tim Hudson - at HOU
Note: One of his best chances to pump his K rate
94. Matt Garza - at NYM
95. Jarred Cosart - at LAD
96. C.J. Wilson - COL
97. Michael Lorenzen - SF
Note: Matchup is right to continue riding the rookie, but we're still dealing with an unknown
98. Mike Foltynewicz - at CIN
99. Dillon Gee - MIL
Note: He's kinda whatever, but you can start him here against the Brewers
100. Jeff Locke - at CHC
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paul Sporer
Sporer covers pitching for RotoWire. He also writes for Baseball Prospectus and publishes an annual guide on starting pitcher. In his spare time, he roots for the Tigers.
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