Fantasy baseball: Tigers’ Jack Flaherty can still get the job done

Call-ups for highly touted prospects in the majors is not too dissimilar from when Apple introduces the latest version of the iPhone.

The newer series always works incredibly fast and has more features, like four camera lenses, is bigger, has more memory and, after you’ve had the phone long enough, will start acting as your therapist for a mere $5.99 a month in the Apple store (Disclaimer: This isn’t a real thing … yet).

The Pirates called up 6-foot-6 flamethrower Paul Skenes this week to make his big league debut Saturday. The fact he threw just 34 innings in the minors makes no difference, especially when you see the guy’s fastball tops out at 104 mph and he struck out 55 (14.6 per nine) in those frames. He is electric, he is exciting. Everybody wants him, which is why he was the most added pitcher in ESPN leagues this week.

But while everyone is chasing after the hot, new version, there are older versions that still work (albeit with some flaws). Sure, your refurbished iPhone 11 series randomly FaceTimes your ex in the middle of the night and take blurry photos, but that doesn’t mean it can’t get the job done.

Skenes is the bright and shiny new object, but there are other pitchers who deserve your attention, like Detroit’s Jack Flaherty, who finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting in 2019 and has been trying to rediscover that form ever since.

From 2019-23, Flaherty went 23-15 with a 4.42 ERA and 1.398 WHIP. After looking sharp in spring training, Roto Rage suggested keeping an eye on him — especially if he was able to maintain the uptick in velocity he displayed and limit his walks.

If you’re looking at Flaherty’s winless record (0-2), 3.86 ERA or six homers allowed, you might be underwhelmed. You might think he is no longer worthy of being on your radar. Don’t get distracted by those numbers.

Among qualified pitchers, Flaherty entered Friday leading the majors in strikeouts per nine (12.0) and was second to Jared Jones, another Pirates flamethrower, in strikeout percentage (32.9) and swinging-strike rate (15.8 percent, a career-best mark). His 9.33 strikeout-to-walk rate ranked third. The former Cardinal, who is still just 28, has walked just 3.5 percent of the batters he has faced, the eighth-best rate in the league, and has the 26th-best WHIP (1.05).

Flaherty has not only kept his walks to a minimum, but his fastball velocity (93.9 mph) is the hardest he has thrown since the COVID-shortened 2020 season when he averaged 94 mph. His secondary pitches, though, are where the real damage is being done.

The right-hander has upped the usage of his slider, a pitch he is using 32 percent of the time, and opponents are hitting .214 against the pitch with a .171 xBA, 41.3 percent whiff rate and 19.6 percent swinging-strike rate. Hitters are also batting .222 against his knuckle-curve with a 45 percent whiff rate.

On top of all that, Flaherty’s underlying metrics indicate he should be in line for even better outcomes. He entered his start Sunday with a 2.99 xERA and FIP (almost a full point below his actual ERA), and a 2.27 xFIP.

Betting on Baseball?

Flaherty, who struck out 14 and allowed two hits over 6 ²/₃ scoreless innings against his former team April 30, was the fourth-most added pitcher in ESPN leagues this week and remains more than 60 percent available. He may have disappointed in his injury-prone past, and he may no longer be the shiny new object, but he is getting results that should help fantasy squads.

Here’s a look at other arms who shouldn’t be ignored:

John Means (23.7 percent rostered) got a late start to the season as he rehabbed from elbow surgery and was slated to make just his second start on Saturday. He looked great in his first start, striking out eight and walking none over seven shutout innings. He may not rack up the strikeouts (7.6 per nine for his career), and it’s a little worrisome that he has made just 43 starts since 2020, but he has limited opponents to a .225 average and walked just 1.5 per nine in that span. It also doesn’t hurt that he has one of the best defenses behind him and gets plenty of run support from one of the best offenses in the game. Adding Means should be a no-brainer.

The Rangers’ Jon Gray (38.8 percent rostered) took the mound Friday against the Rockies, his former team, having allowed two earned runs or fewer in his previous seven appearances while going 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA, .206 opponents average and 40-8 strikeout-walk rate.

Other potential options include the Cubs’ Jameson Taillon (28.8 percent rostered), the Orioles’ Cole Irvin (16.4 percent), the Cubs’ Javier Assad (44.8) and the Yankees’ Luis Gil (22.1), who is 3-1 with a 2.92 ERA, 10.95 strikeouts per nine and .141 opponents average despite walking 15.7 percent of that batters he faces.

Big hits

Brent Rooker OF, Athletics

Went 12-for-26 (.462) with four homers, 11 RBIs, 10 runs and a 1.587 OPS over his first seven games this month. Hit .324 with nine homers, 24 RBIs and a 1.182 OPS in 22 games since April 5.

Gavin Stone SP, Dodgers

Hadn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his past five starts, going 3-0 with a 2.10 ERA and .204 opponents average.

Jurickson Profar OF, Padres

Hit .339 with six homers, 25 RBIs, 21 runs, two stolen bases and a .960 OPS in 33 games since April 2.

Chris Paddack SP, Twins

Won four straight decisions while maintaining a 1.93 ERA, 28-3 strikeout-walk rate, .255 opponents average and .619 OPS.

Big whiffs

Reid Detmers SP, Angels