Second‑Half Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Trade Targets
As the season moves into its second half, fantasy baseball managers are turning their attention to starting pitchers whose underlying numbers suggest a different trajectory than their surface statistics.
A recent leaderboard was built on metrics such as SIERA, strikeout‑to‑walk percentage, Stuff+ and Location+, requiring a minimum of 20 innings since May 15th to qualify.
Emmet Sheehan stands out because his ERA dramatically understates his performance; the gap between his ERA and SIERA is large, and his K‑BB%, Stuff+ and Location+ are all above average.
Jared Jones, still recovering from Tommy John surgery, shows an above‑average Location+ figure, indicating that his raw stuff may be undervalued at this stage.
Jack Flaherty’s underlying metrics are solid, yet his recent outings have been inconsistent, making him a risky but potentially rewarding asset.
Joey Cantillo has taken a step forward after adding a cutter and leaning more heavily on his curveball, a combination that has improved his recent results.
Aaron Nola’s skill set remains strong, but a high ERA this season reflects a recent shift in his pitch mix; the underlying data still points to a pitcher who could outperform his current numbers.
Kevin Gausman has struggled lately, but his last start displayed a velocity uptick and better pitch execution, hinting at a possible turnaround.
Brandon Sproat has been steadily improving his command and refining his pitch mix, which has translated into a solid five‑start stretch that could continue.
Jack Perkins is emerging as a breakout candidate; his underlying metrics and pitch‑mix analysis suggest a strong second‑half upside.
Cade Cavalli introduced a cutter and has increased fastball velocity, a development that could fuel a second‑half surge.
Roki Sasaki has refined his location and movement, contributing to a recent string of effective outings.
Ryan Weathers continues to miss bats and boasts a well‑above‑average Location+ grade, making him an intriguing gamble for roster spots.
Jake Bennett shows the makings of a successful southpaw, with a tight changeup and good command of his other pitches, making him a sleeper in deeper leagues.
Connor Prielipp has settled into a rhythm, demonstrating improved command of his curveball and upside that could pay off down the stretch.
Landen Roupp’s recommendation to buy is modest; recent struggles and average performance keep enthusiasm in check despite underlying potential.