May 25, 2018; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) pitches to Houston Astros Alex Bregman during the first inning at Progressive Field. Photo Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Corey Kluber, RHP, Cleveland Indians
2018: More excellence from Kluber: He exceeded 200 innings for the fifth consecutive season and won 20 games for the first time, improving his record to 74-29 over the past four seasons. Plus, he trimmed his walk rate to a career-low 4 percent and posted the sixth-best WHIP among qualifying starting pitchers.
Forecast: Maybe it’s nitpicking, but Kluber’s hard-contact rate spiked last year and his rate stats moderated after his huge 2017. His velocity was down in September and he got boxed around in the playoffs. Food for thought when weighing whether to expend a top-25 pick on Kluber.
2019 Projections: 17-7, 3.09 ERA, 211 innings pitched, 40 walks, 221 strikeouts, 1.03 WHIP.
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