Tag: Juan Nicasio

Juan Nicasio is having a great month yet the fantasy world is not taking notice.

Analysis: In three starts this month Nicasio has pitched 19.0 innings and has only allowed 1 earned run on 8 hits. He’s only walked 4 batters this month but that should not come as a surprise since the twenty-six year old has never had any major command issues. He’s the 29th rated fantasy starter in July yet guys like Alex Wood and Dan Straily get all the attention on the wire among lower tier pitchers.

Currently Juan Nicasio is available in 90-95% of fantasy leagues. His next scheduled start is in Atlanta on Tuesday. Keep in mind that Nicasio is not a high strikeout starter but he has averaged 6.3 K/9 this year which is respectable. He had an 8.3 K/9 clip going for him in 2012 through eleven starts. The upside is there especially with his ability to limit base runners despite having an ERA north of 4.00 at the moment. Jon Lester, Tim Lincecum, Edwin Jackson and Justin Verlander all have a higher WHIP than Nicasio’s 1.31 this year. One more great start and the fantasy world will have to take notice.

Juan Nicasio tallied his first win of the season Wednesday against the Brewers.

Analysis: Nicasio lasted 6.0 innings, giving up two earned runs and seven hits. Nicasio only struck out two batters Wednesday but expect more going forward. In his two previous big league seasons Nicasio has put up a 7.77 K/9 rate with a solid mid-90s fastball and a decent slider. Although his ERA has not been good in his two major league seasons his xFIP has been under 4.00 each year.

Obviously the biggest fantasy drawback is that he pitches at Coors Field for a living although it is interesting that his career ERA at home is significantly lower than it is on the road. The main focus for fantasy owners should be Nicasio’s walk rate. If he can limit his baserunners this year he will be more than a NL-only fantasy option.

He’s available in 99.9% of fantasy leagues but if the Rockies keep scoring in bunches it might not matter what kind of WHIP he posts this year. If he keeps pitching well he’ll be a steal or a good sell high option down the road.