Ervin Santana has burned more than a few fantasy owners over the years but is he still worth the risk?
Analysis: Ervin Santana is one of the more heavily dropped starters these days. He’s allowed nine earned runs over his last two starts and fantasy owners are seeking shelter from the erratic ratio bombing righty. However, he still may be of use.
Santana’s ERA is still south of 3.50 through 70.1 innings. His xFIP is 3.54 and his walk rate is the lowest of his career. His strikeout rate is his highest since 2008 and his HR/FB rate is well above his career average. Even Ervin’s velocity is fine but we must consider that his two most recent starts have come against good offensive teams(Cards/Angels) which does play a part in the nine earned runs over those starts.
Can Ervin Santana be trusted? Not really, but he is sporting a solid ERA and a 1.09 WHIP which is 24th best in baseball. Santana is available in 15-40% of leagues and that number is growing. We may know a bit more after Ervin’s performance Sunday in Texas but probably not. Keep in mind that the Rangers can mash and that Yu Darvish is pitching Sunday as well.