A couple of weeks ago we examined the best performers when it comes to the stat tandem of strikeouts per nine innings, ground ball percentage and hard-hit rate. These tend to be three crucial legs of a successful fantasy pitcher’s stool. Weakness in all three areas is a major red flag for considering whether to trust a pitcher in your lineup. Here are the qualified pitchers with a hard-hit rate above 40%, a K/9 under 9, and a GB-percentage below 48%.

Name

Team

Hard%

K/9

GB%

Homer Bailey

- - -

44.5 %

7.99

45.2 %

Madison Bumgarner

Giants

43.7 %

8.91

36.5 %

Jakob Junis

Royals

42.9 %

8.46

44.1 %

Merrill Kelly

Diamondbacks

42.6 %

7.32

40.7 %

Jake Odorizzi

Twins

42.3 %

9.53

34.3 %

Jeff Samardzija

Giants

40.8 %

7.48

36.3 %

Mike Leake

- - -

40.5 %

6.03

48.0 %

Miles Mikolas

Cardinals

40.3 %

6.94

49.0 %

Anthony DeSclafani

Reds

40.2 %

9.22

40.3 %

Michael Pineda

Twins

39.9 %

8.13

37.2 %

Masahiro Tanaka

Yankees

39.7 %

7.34

48.3 %

Julio Teheran

Braves

38.6 %

8.39

39.5 %

Jon Lester

Cubs

38.5 %

8.72

43.1 %

José Quintana

Cubs

38.0 %

8.22

43.5 %

Mike Fiers

Athletics

37.9 %

6.09

40.2 %

 

  • Merrill Kelly is one of the worst offenders here. He wants to induce contact via ground balls but far too many pitches are hit hard and in the air.

  • The two Giants on this list survive because of their home ballpark. San Francisco stifles power more than any other field. Be very careful where you deploy them on the road.

  • Homer Bailey has a similar park advantage in Oakland. He was useless to us in Cincinnati but has found new life in comfier digs. Still, this hot streak may be short-lived. 

  • Jake Odorizzi Julio Teheran , and Michael Pineda are a few strikeout pitchers on here to be careful of. If they can’t miss bats in a game the wheels fall off pretty fast.

  • Likewise, extreme groundballers like Masahiro Tanaka and Mike Leake are left without a leg to stand on if their sinking stuff isn’t up to snuff in a given game. Plenty of crooked numbers follow on those nights.