Tag: Joe Blanton

Joe Blanton may have a 5.07 ERA but that does not mean he hasn’t been playing well recently or that he can’t contribute in deeper leagues.

Analysis: Blanton’s ERA at the end of May was 5.94 but in the month of June he posted a 3.44 ERA. In fact, Blanton has allowed more than three runs in just one of his last seven starts. He’s finally on track and his June numbers certainly show that. There aren’t many times when a case can be made for a pitcher with a 2-10 record but he can help in deeper leagues. Blanton’s walk rate is the 12th lowest in baseball and his 3.65 xFIP is 34th. His 81 strikeouts rank 43rd in baseball and his 4.50 K/BB rate is 15th and ahead of guys like Stephen Strasburg and Matt Cain.

I’m not saying Joe Blanton is a dominant ace but the guy has been unlucky this year- he’s 10th in ERA minus FIP. Expect an ERA around the 4.10 mark going forward to go along with his low walk rate and respectable strikeouts numbers. Blanton is available in 85-97% of fantasy leagues.

Joe Blanton has pitched well over the past two weeks and certainly merits a look in deeper leagues.

Analysis: Joe Blanton’s ERA may be 4.87 but it doesn’t tell the complete story. Blanton’s xFIP is 3.43 this year, well below his career average. His HR/FB rate is up and his LOB% is down a bit, but these are things that will work themselves out by season’s end. Blanton is pitching deep into games and striking out 7.5 batters per nine innings pitched. His velocity is fine and his walk rate is just 1.19BB/9IP, good for second best in all of baseball.

I can see why the 4.87 ERA may scare away casual fantasy owners but the hardcore ones in deeper leagues have to love Joe Blanton. His strikeout rate and walk rate are solid and as soon as his HR/FB rate(seventh worst in MLB) comes back down to earth he will be a hot waiver wire commodity. Blanton is available in tons of leagues and you might as well grab him up now before the hype machine works its magic. Blanton’s 1.24 WHIP is better than David Price, CC Sabathia and Felix Hernandez, so why isn’t he a bigger deal?