2022 Asset Group Analysis – (ER,KK)

(Photo by Ken Murray/icon Sportswire)

by Pat Cloghessy

Asset groups are a key component of the BABS system. They are our means to assemble players with comparable skills profiles and then review how the marketplace ranks them. The philosophy is that, if several players are comparable, they should be valued at about the same level. As described in Chapter 2 of The BABS Project 3.1, that’s not always the case. Here is where we can uncover opportunities to build profit into our rosters.

(ER,KK)
ADP R$ PITCHER Pos Tm PT Er K Sv Pk Rg Sk- Inj Ex Nw Ag Pk Rg Risk
8 $37 Ohtani,Shohei SP LAA M ER KK inj- e 5.00
16 $30 Buehler,Walker SP LAD F ER KK inj- Rg- 3.25
19 $29 Woodruff,Brandon SP MLW F ER KK 0
40 $21 Nola,Aaron SP PHI F ER KK Rg+ 0
65 $17 Gausman,Kevin SP TOR F ER KK Nw Pk- 0.50
79 $15 Musgrove,Joe SP SDP F ER KK inj- 1.00
88 $14 Montas,Frankie SP OAK F ER KK inj- 1.00
111 $11 McClanahan,Shane SP TBR M ER KK EX 2.00
131 $10 Rodon,Carlos SP CWS M ER KK INJ Rg- 3.25
166 $7 McCullers,Lance SP HOU M ER KK INJ 3.00
183 $6 Kershaw,Clayton SP LAD M ER KK INJ 3.00
199 $6 Houck,Tanner SP BOS M ER KK EX 2.00
713 $(6) Winn,Cole SP TEX P ER KK EX 2.00

In 2022, it is once again (especially!) imperative to roster as many skilled full-time (F) starting pitchers as humanly possible. Therein lies the problem. While not impossible, there just aren’t enough durable arms to go around. Of the most BABSian six SP with name recognition and track records to warrant a high draft choice, just two check in as full-timers. 

So, it might pay to wait a beat on draft day. If draft position/budget allow for it, the (ER,KK) asset group has depth and full-time talent enough to load the front of your rotation. 

This may be the most robust class of starting pitchers. It boasts six full-timers, ranging from Walker Buehler (ADP 17) to Frankie Montas (89). BABS has Buehler as the riskiest full-timer in this set. The other five aren’t automatic (who is?), but careful drafters will find lots to like. 

Brandon Woodruff (ADP 20) is elite, even if BABS doesn’t see any extreme assets. A similar skillset belongs to Aaron Nola at ADP 41. Will he once again fall short of high expectations? Pay up to find out, because there ain’t many like him. 

After Nola, it’s almost two rounds before the next (ER,KK) is chosen. For the entirety of this gap, BABS is right there, sitting on your shoulder with friendly, persistent reminders. She whispers the names Gausman, Musgrove and Montas. Repeatedly. That’s what BABS does best. 

With each successive pick in the draft, those names appear higher on the list of remaining talent. In bold, all caps. On the marquee in neon. Whatever. BABS gets her point across. 

To go along the with six full-timer are six mid-timers. They carry more downside, but some tend be available in the later rounds, mitigating risk. Shane McLanahan is the darling of the mid-time subset. He hasn’t yet suffered injuries that show up on BABS’ radar. Shane’s track record is short, however, and hitters will surely adjust. His stuff plays though. Can it hold up?

If early roster construction was cautious enough to take on some gambles later on, this asset group has some gems. Carlos Rodon, Lance McCullers (pictured) and Clayton Kershaw all ended last season with some sort of injury. Spring assessment is needed to see if any are worth a bid, but the skills are worthy of a pick in the early rounds. 

Finally, Tanner Houck’s (ADP 202) lack of experience is something to consider, but nabbing these skills after pick 200 makes him a BABSpectacular. Tuck the name away. He might even be worth pushing a round or two.