Fantasy Baseball Fix: 2011 Joel Pineiro Projections

If you missed the previous entries of the Fantasy Fix click below.

The Fantasy baseball fixing continues as we count down the 12 most fantasy relevant Angels for 2011. Ranking at number 9 is Angels starter Joel Pineiro. Joel was solid in 2010 ( his first as an Angel) posting a 3.84 ERA to go along with 10 wins, a 1.24 WHIP and 93 strikeouts in 152 innings. 2010 had the potential to be even better for Pineiro but a muscle strain sidelined him for 2 months of the year. So what can fantasy owners expect to get from Joel Pineiro in 2011?

Starting pitching is probably the one aspect of Fantasy baseball that most closely mirrors the real game. At times a strong pitching staff can carry you for weeks. In most standard leagues pitching stats ( saves excluded) account for 40 to 50 % of the scoring meaning a dominant staff can assure you of up to 4-5 wins per week. Having starting pitching depth in fantasy baseball ( and real life) is key for a clubs success. Joel Pineiro should offer just that in 2011. All indications point to the Angels scoring more runs in 2011 and winning more than they did in 2010. Pineiro while not a strike out artist will help owners in Wins, ERA , and WHIP. His control ( 1.75 BB/9 rate the past 3 seasons) is the key to his success and Pineiro has the potential to offer smart managers great value toward the back of the draft. Fantasy owners will often reach for high strikeout guys and leave solid starters like Pineiro there for the taking in the later draft rounds. Pineiro should be taken once you have solidified your team with a legit staff and penciled in as a #4 , or 5 starter in most formats.

The Hangout View: If Pineiro can stay healthy in 2011 he is almost a lock for 12 – 16 wins, respectable ERA and strikeout totals and a good WHIP. The Angels bull pen should be much improved in 2011 turning many of Pineiro’s no decisions ( 6 in 2010) into wins. If the Angels offense bounces back to anywhere near the 2009 form, 18 wins is not out of the question. Fantasy owners can reasonably expect the following line from Joel Pineiro in 2011:

15 wins , 3.74 ERA , 1.21 WHIP , 112 strikeouts , 189 Inning Pitched