Fantasy Baseball: 4 Under-the-Radar Starting Pitchers to Target in 2017
Matt Shoemaker, Los Angeles Angels
Consensus SP Rank: 56
Matt Shoemaker experienced an interesting 2016 season, and you wouldn't be able to realize that by looking at his modest 3.87 SIERA with a 9-13 record.
He got off to an absolutely horrific start in April, allowing 6 home runs and 39 hitters to reach base in just 20.2 innings of work, which led to an unsightly 9.15 ERA. He turned a corner between May and July, though.
Shoemaker was one of the best pitchers in baseball during that span, posting a 3.12 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and striking out 25.3% of hitters he faced over 98 innings (15 starts).
Disaster unfortunately hit late in the year, as the right-hander was struck in the head by a line drive, but thankfully walked off under his own power. He did suffer a skull fracture that forced him to the disabled list for the remainder of the season.
Assuming he can rebound from this injury, Shoemaker's three-month span after that rough start in April showed how good he can be. Steamer projections have him posting another 3-plus fWAR season with a 3.89 FIP, 21% strikeout rate and 12-11 record.
