Pitchers Who “Just Missed” My Top 100

A quick look at 26 names who were in consideration for the backend of my Top 100:

Jeff Samardzija, SF: Even writing off ’18, I’m still seeing a meh 21% K, 10% SwStr, and ugly 1.2 HR/9 from ’15-17

Clay Buchholz, FA: The CT/CH rebirth spurred 98 great IP, but ended w/a flexor strain clouding future

Zach Eflin, PHI: 2H fade (5.76 ERA) doesn’t erase all the growth as we still saw 10 pt jump in K% to 23%

Trevor Williams, PIT: Definitely awesome during 2H, but it’s just not bankable going fwd; he’s a 4.00 ERA arm

Yonny Chirinos , TB: Put up a 3.04 ERA/1.13 WHIP w/5 W in his final 10 app. from Aug. 1st on

Fernando Romero, MIN: One nightmare start (1.7 IP/8 ER) moves bottom line from 3.50 to 4.69; don’t forget about him

Jake Odorizzi, MIN: If he can hold some gains from 0.6 HR/9 in 2H, could dip back below 4.00 for first time since ’16

Chase Anderson, MIL: HR/FB regressed back toward career level and took ERA w/it; 1.19 WHIP saved season

Domingo German, NYY: Premium velo (94.7 mph) and elite swing-and-miss (27% K, 15% SwStr) keep him on my radar

Nick Kingham, PIT: Has some elements for success (4 pitches, 13% K-BB), but a 2.1 HR/9 sank his season

Danny Duffy, KC: First 15 starts: 5.55 ERA, last 13: 4.11 ERA; had HR & WHIP issues all year

Forrest Whitley, HOU: Couldn’t quite get him on my Top 100 given that he hasn’t even reached AAA yet

Brad Keller, KC: I like the 54% GB rate, but his 17% K and 8% K-BB limits upside and margin for error

Ryan Borucki, TOR: Basically a Keller-lite with a 16% K, 8% K-BB, and 47% GB rate

Justus Sheffield, NYY: Strong prospect had a big season in AA/AAA and will get some looks in ’19

Jake Faria, TB: Oblique injury ate up most of the season, but there wasn’t much good around the injury

Jaime Barria, LAA: Quietly put up a solid 129 IP as a 21-year old

Sonny Gray, NYY: Skills didn’t really change from ’17 despite 1.35 jump in ERA, not quitting him entirely

Lance Lynn, FA: His 20% K-BB w/NYY deserved better results, but a .364 BABIP saddled him w/a 4.14 ERA

Erick Fedde, WAS: Some spots opening in WAS and this former top prospect could get an extended look

John Gant, STL: Cards have a crowded roster which could make it tough for Gant or Gomber to get looks…

Austin Gomber, STL: …but the moment you think there’s too much pitching, injuries usually take care of that

Felix Pena, LAA: An insane 0.3 IP/7 ER start pushed his ERA 0.67 points to 4.18

Derek Holland, FA: Was really good from June on with a 2.87 ERA/1.27 WHIP and 25% K in 113 IP

Matt Harvey, FA: Had a solid 15% K-BB w/CIN, but still allowed 1.5 HR/9

Joe Ross, WAS: His 15% K-BB in ’15-17 keeps interest, but 1.9 HR/9 in ’17-18 (only 90 IP) breeds some concern