MLB Positional Fantasy Rankings: Starting Pitchers (Part 2)

Here is Part 2 of theScore's 2016 fantasy starting pitcher rankings (projections provided by Steamer (via Fangraphs) and theScore staff):

Positional Rankings
C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF1 | OF2 | OF3 | DH | SP1 | SP2 | SP3 | RP

26. Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals

Wainwright turned 34 last August and is returning from an Achilles tendon injury that limited him to seven games last season. His strikeout rate had already dipped during his solid 2014 campaign, and fantasy owners should expect further regression. He's a good, but not great, No. 2 starting option.

27. Michael Wacha, St. Louis Cardinals

Wacha emerged as the staff ace with the injury to Wainwright, but isn't the kind of strikeout generator fantasy owners look for in the first six rounds. He also outpitched his FIP by nearly a half-point, suggesting that regression is imminent. Draft him as your No. 3 starter in the seventh or eighth round.

28. Garrett Richards, Los Angeles Angels

Richards was his own worst enemy last year, seeing a dip in K rate and a rise in BB rate which contributed to a full-point increase in his ERA. Richards needs to rein in his control issues if he hopes to be a top-flight fantasy option; here's betting that doesn't happen in 2016 - at least, not to a major extent.

29. Francisco Liriano, Pittsburgh Pirates

Liriano established a career high in strikeouts in his age-31 season, lowering his WHIP by nearly a tenth of a point while producing a decent 3.19 FIP. He still has some tread left on the tires, having never worked more than 192 innings. Target him in the ninth or 10th round as a solid third or fourth starter.

30. Masahiro Tanaka, New York Yankees

Tanaka quietly put together a solid follow-up to his great rookie season; while his K rate slowed in the second half, he remained ultra-stingy when it came to allowing baserunners. Tanaka is one of the bigger injury risks in this part of the draft, but if he's healthy, he could produce like a top-15 fantasy option.

31. Carlos Martinez, St. Louis Cardinals

Injuries thrust Martinez into a full-time starting role, and he responded with better than a strikeout per inning and just 13 home runs allowed over 179 2/3 innings. His walk rate is a little high, but if he can keep his K/9 consistent, he'll make for a terrific No. 3 or 4 option in a fantasy rotation.

▼32. Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers

Darvish's potential return date keeps being moved back, and the Rangers won't rush him. He owns one of the best career K/9 rates in the majors (11.2), and if he can return to form, he'll wind up being a steal. There's a chance he won't play until late June, making him one of the biggest risk/reward plays of the season.

33. Lance McCullers, Houston Astros

McCullers was impressive in his rookie season, averaging better than a strikeout per inning while limiting foes to a .226 BA. Control was an issue, and might continue to be moving forward - but as a No. 4 starter, fantasy owners could do a lot worse. Snag him in the ninth or 10th round.

34. Steven Matz, New York Mets

Matz is the latest Mets pitching prospect to hit the majors, and was impressive in a late-season audition. Slotted in behind Matt Harvey, Jacob DeGrom and Noah Syndergaard, Matz may find himself in a fight for starts with Zack Wheeler and Bartolo Colon. He's a medium-risk No. 4 option.

35. James Shields, San Diego Padres

Shields is one of the most effective strikeout pitchers year in and year out, but last year those Ks came with below-average rate stats and a career-worst 81 walks. Shields also surrendered 33 home runs, a huge total for a guy who makes half his starts in San Diego. Shields is a decent No. 4, but no better.

36. Jeff Samardzija, San Francisco Giants

Samardzija was off his game for the majority of last season, allowing the most hits (228) and earned runs (118) in the majors, while coughing up 29 home runs and seeing his lowest K rate (6.9) as a full-time starter. Expect a nice bounce back in San Francisco, making him a high-upside mid-draft pickup.

37. Jordan Zimmermann, Detroit Tigers

Zimmermann heads to Detroit following what was a mildly disappointing final season in Washington. His ERA jumped a full point, and his K/9 rate took a hit, as well. He has been one of the most durable pitchers in baseball over the past four years, and would make a fine fourth option on most fantasy teams.

38. Collin McHugh, Houston Astros

McHugh's 19 wins are impressive, but they masked what was actually a down year. His K rate tumbled, his ERA climbed well over a point and he allowed righties to hit .288 against him. That said, he finished strong (10-2, 3.11 ERA in the second half) and has the tools to get back into the top-30 at his position.

39. Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers

Verlander appeared done in 2014 but was invigorated last season, particularly in the second half (3-2, 2.61 ERA in nine starts). It's hard to know which Verlander will emerge in 2015 - he does have more than 2,100 innings on his arm - but he warrants a flier in the 10th or 11th round.

40. Jake Odorizzi, Tampa Bay Rays

Odorizzi made strides in his second full season in the majors, lowering his walk rate by nearly one per nine innings while also trimming his H/9 and HR/9 rates. He should be a strong source of strikeouts in the 12th-14th rounds of your draft, but don't reach for him.

41. Luis Severino, New York Yankees

A solid audition in 2015 may be enough to earn Severino a full-time starting gig for the Yankees - but he'll likely compete with Ivan Nova for the No. 5 spot, reducing his upside even though he's the superior starter. Consider Severino in rounds 12-14 for his strikeouts and decent ERA.

42. Shelby Miller, Arizona Diamondbacks

Miller had a bizarre 2015, leading the league in losses despite dramatic improvements in K rate and FIP that led to him making his first All-Star team. Arizona's confines are decidedly less pitcher-friendly, so while Miller should see a bump in wins, his other stats will likely take a hit.

43. Jose Quintana, Chicago White Sox

Quintana has been one of the majors' most consistent pitchers over the past three seasons - and given his solid K and BB rates, that's not a bad thing. He should be able to maintain decent rate stats, but the lack of upside relative to others in this range makes him little more than a safe - if unspectacular - pick.

44. Drew Smyly, Tampa Bay Rays

The issue with Smyly is workload; while he has been sensational in his first four major-league seasons - boasting a 3.24 ERA and an 8.8 K/9 rate - he has never thrown more than 153 innings in a season. Counting on more in 2016 is a major gamble; expect 140-150 innings max and enjoy the solid peripherals.

45. Raisel Iglesias, Cincinnati Reds

Iglesias' record doesn't tell the story of just how successful he was as a rookie; his 3.71 K/BB ratio was sensational, and his FIP of 3.55 fell well below his actual ERA. He'll struggle to earn wins on a dreadful Reds team, but the rest of his numbers should warrant a 13th- to 15th-round selection.

46. Hisashi Iwakuma, Seattle Mariners

Durability is the concern with Iwakuma, who has made just 48 starts the past two seasons. At 35, he'll likely miss some time this season - but when he pitches, he'll offer terrific K/BB ratios and solid rate stats otherwise. He'll likely go earlier than the 14th round, but if he lasts that long, snag him.

47. Carlos Rodon, Chicago White Sox

Rodon will likely show up on some sleeper lists, and with good reason - he averaged a strikeout per inning as a rookie while allowing just 11 home runs in 139 1/3 frames. But his 4.6 BB/9 is far too high, and his minor-league stats suggest it won't get much better - so buyer beware.

48. Michael Pineda, New York Yankees

Pineda left fantasy owners spitting mad in 2015, following up an impressive first half (9-5, 3.64 ERA) by falling apart after the All-Star break (3-5, 5.80). Pineda is prone to bouts of ineffectiveness, but his strikeout potential and low walk rate make him a worthwhile gamble in rounds 15-16.

49. Mike Fiers, Houston Astros

Fiers was terrific after coming to Houston in a trade with Milwaukee, despite getting a little lucky (4.39 FIP in nine starts). He averages a strikeout per inning for his major-league career, though his 3.2 BB/9 rate last year should raise some alarms. Target him as an SP5 in mixed leagues, but don't reach.

50. Scott Kazmir, Los Angeles Dodgers

Kazmir's win potential gets a boost with the move to the Dodgers, but he doesn't wow in any other category. His K/9 rate has dipped two straight seasons, while his walk rate is its highest since he returned to the majors in 2013. He's a solid SP5, but he's more floor than ceiling at this point.