Rogers: 'McClanahan is a top 5 starter in fantasy'
Connor Rogers dives into Shane McClanahan's top-five value as a SP this fantasy season, as well as why the Rays ace's durability shouldn't pose a concern.
Video Transcript
- Shane McClanahan had a 1.71 ERA and a ludicrous 147 to 19 strikeout to walk ratio in the first half of last season. He was probably the best pitcher in baseball up to that point. And he was hardly bad afterwards in spite of a brief absence due to a shoulder impingement.
So why are eight to 10 pitchers going ahead of him in drafts this spring? Questions about durability have dogged McClanahan since he was drafted, causing some to project him as a reliever before he reached the majors in 2021. But he's been incredible since arriving in Tampa Bay.
The shoulder impingement he suffered last August didn't prove to be more than a minor setback, as he missed just two starts and returned with his typical stuff. McClanahan can work in the high 90s and boasts two of the game's most effective pitches in his curveball and changeup. Perhaps he's not quite as likely as Gerrit Cole or Aaron Nola to make 30-plus starts this year, but he doesn't have any red flags at the moment. And from a talent standpoint, he can go head-to-head with anyone. He should be regarded as a top five starting pitcher in fantasy leagues.
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