Under The Radar- Quintana

Jose Quintana is quietly having a solid fantasy season in his second year in the majors after a sub 4.00 ERA rookie season.

Analysis: Quintana is only twenty-four years old but he’s the 58th best fantasy starter thus far this year. The future is bright for the lefty as he continues to be a model of consistency on the mound. Quintana has allowed more than three earned runs just once over his last ten starts. He’s struck out at least five batters in nine of his last ten starts and has four wins in that span. His 3.67 ERA is 45th in baseball, his 1.22 WHIP is 36th. He produces and is consistent, so why is he available in 40-85% of fantasy leagues?

We will know the answer to that question when someone can explain why Bruce Chen is owned in more fantasy leagues than Jose Quintana. People seem to love Chen’s 2.20 ERA through seven starts and some relief work but his xFIP this year is 4.84. Chen has had an xFIP north of 4.40 in each of his last ten seasons. Quintana’s first two years in terms of xFIP is better than Bruce Chen’s best year.