Trying to get the most out of every roster slot? Does your league utilize specific starting pitching and reliever pitching slots?
A duel eligible pitcher will help you maximize the output of your starting lineup each week. This is accomplished by placing a starting pitcher who is eligible as a reliever in a reliever slot when you want to get an extra start.
This is a particularly good strategy to apply in a head-to-head format league, as it can be used to rack up strikeouts and wins while possibly driving down earned run average.
Starting Pitchers Eligible as Relievers
Tyson Ross, San Diego Padres
Ross is my favorite of the bunch. He finished the season out as a starter and simply dazzled in the role, posting a sexy 3.06 earned run average while striking out more than a batter per inning. Now you may say that he gets a lot of help from pithing half his games in PETCO Park which is true of any pitcher, but a deeper look will tell you he actually pitched more on the road than at home.
Ross could run into some trouble with some of his unsustainable looking numbers, such as his .198 batting average versus right handed hitters. Even if there is some rise in his underlying statistics Ross should be able to keep up an overall solid production, making him one hell of a value on draft day if you’re looking to deploy this type of strategy.
Garrett Richards, Los Angeles Angels
Due to Richards’s overall numbers as a starter in 2013 weren’t nearly as impressive as Tyson Ross’s, it helps Richards fly somewhat under the radar as decent starters and better duel eligible pitching option. Richards posted a tolerable 4.16 earned run average while striking out just over six batters per nine innings as a starter in 2013.
Richards’s is more of a matchups starter as he was about to earn eight quality starts in 17 games started, with six of them being seven innings with two or less earned runs. Given that 2013 was Richards first fulltime season in the majors and that he wasn’t a fulltime starter, there is some room for growth in his numbers.
Hector Santiago, Los Angeles Angels
It is pretty surprising that Santiago was able to compile the numbers he did given that he pitched nearly half his innings in the White Sox‘s bandbox. It can be said that the move to a bigger park such as Angel Stadium would further improve his statistical output, but I’m not entirely on board with that.
Sure the Park Effects are in his favor more in Los Angeles but he will also be facing some better offenses more frequently too, making it difficult for him to repeat his 3.51 earned run average as a starter again in 2014. However the move to the Angels does provide him a better offense that could see him a lot more that the four wins he earned in his 23 starts in 2013.
Although I would predict a rise in his earned runs, his strikeout numbers are hard to deny, as he struck out over eight batter per nine innings as a starter. Much like Garrett Richards, Santiago is a matchup play as he will get starts against the Astros and the Mariners. Until proven otherwise it would be difficult to endorse him in a start versus a team such as the Rangers on the road.
Jerome Williams, Houston Astros
Until the three previous starters, Williams doesn’t hold much upside value if any at all. The move to the Astros really just allows him to start more frequently than he did with the Angels in 2013. Williams posted a woeful 5.06 earned run average as a starter and doesn’t only offers a poultry 5.69 career strikeout rate in the majors.
With that said he does hold the value duel eligibility label and could still receive some decent matchups throughout the season. If you’re in a deeper league Williams is a guy to keep on your radar for potential spot starts or desperation plays.
Throughout the season there are sure to be many other starting pitchers that earn the reliever tag. The list below contains some others that may become duel eligible and that could prove valuable. Most of these players will potentially end up getting more bullpen work than starter work but could be equally valuable in a head to head format.
They could potentially be slotted in a starters slot when there are no other starting pitchers to play on a certain day. Starting a reliever instead of a weak starting pitcher will help in earned run average and walks plus hits per inning pitched.
Carlos Martinez, St. Louis Cardinals
Carlos is assured to start the season in the major league bullpen but it is still possible that he could be used as a starter as the season progresses.
Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals
Although Davis didn’t make enough relief appearances to qualify as a reliever in most leagues. Since he’s slated to start in the bullpen he should quickly earn the reliever designation.
Esmil Rogers, Toronto Blue Jays
Given the above average fastball Rodgers possess he could end up being a more valuable reliever than he was a starter. Rodgers has the ability to rate up strikeouts and could find himself in a later inning role as the season progresses.
Chad Bettis, Colorado Rockies
Given the unsettled back end of the Rockies starting rotation Bettis could wind up in the rotation sooner rather than later. He has maintained a reliever designation heading into 2014 which gives him some value in deeper leagues.
Randall Delgado, Arizona Diamondbacks
If Delgado can stay in the majors instead of being sent to the minors after spring training, he will be a valuable dual eligible player to have as he could return to the rotation if injury should strike.