MLB 2011 Fantasy Baseball: Value WHIP Options

Not everybody gets Cliff Lee to lower your team WHIP. That’s OK, there are value picks that can help you win the category.

Average Draft Positions are from Mock Draft Central.

Tim Hudson, Atlanta Braves

Hudson had a 1.15 WHIP last year, which is right in line with his career mark of 1.25. He’ll turn 36 this summer so injuries are a concern, but his ADP of 149 make him a nice addition to your fantasy rotation.

Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds

Arroyo has a career WHIP of 1.31, but he’s posted 1.27 and 1.15 the past two years respectively. He isn’t a flashy pitcher, but he gets the job done. With an ADP of 323 he’s a nice late round option to fill out your rotation.

Dallas Braden, Oakland A’s

Braden posted a rock solid 1.16 WHIP last year. He only walked 43 batters in 192-2/3 innings because he challenges hitters. His ADP is 385 so you can probably pick him up after the season begins if he starts hot.

Jeremy Guthrie, Baltimore Orioles

Guthrie had a 1.16 WHIP last year, and aside from a 1.42 disaster in 2009 he’s been 1.23 or lower the past four years. He’s thrown 812-1/3 innings since beginning his career with Cleveland in 2004 and has a 1.28 WHIP making the likelihood of another solid pretty high. He’ll likely go undrafted.

Hiroki Kuroda, Los Angeles Dodgers

Don’t overlook Kuroda, who has an ADP of 177, or you’ll miss out on a guy with a career WHIP of 1.18. He only issues 2.1 walks per nine innings and has a career BAA of .247.

Carl Pavano, Minnesota Twins

Pavano has a lifetime WHIP of 1.33 so temper your expectations, but after posting a 1.19 mark last year, he’s worth considering. Especially considering he has an ADP of 290.

Ian Kennedy, Arizona Diamondbacks

Kennedy thrived in his first year with the Diamondbacks, posting a 1.20 WHIP. He was even stronger after the break with his 1.14 WHIP. His BAA at home (.235) and on the road (.222), in the first half (.235) and in the second half (.219), and against righties (.238) and against lefties (.218) suggests that his success was no fluke. He’ll just have to cut back a bit on his walks.

Phil Hughes, New York Yankees

Hughes had a 1.25 WHIP last year, which nearly mirrors his career mark of 1.27. He’s hard on righties (.253 BAA) and lefties (.235), plus he doesn’t issue a ton of free passes. He’s a nice option with his ADP of 154.

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MLB 2011 Fantasy Baseball: Value WHIP Options

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