Baller Move: Add in all leagues
Owned in: 14% of Fleaflicker leagues
Analysis: Blake Snell may look like a cast member of Trainspotting, but the 23 year old #12 Baseball America prospect has been in the minor leagues since 2011 and has made one MLB start in Tampa Bay, and has virtually never struggled. Snell's cumulative minor league figures come out to an ERA of 2.82, a WHIP of 1.29, a 0.5 HR/9, and a fantastic 10.3 K/9. In 21 games started at the Triple-A level, Snell has been dominant with a 2.68 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a blazing average of 12.3 K/9. The southpaw is a strikeout fiend and has never averaged less than nine strikeouts per nine IP in a season for his professional career.
The only area where Snell has had issues is in his command of the strike zone, as many young pitchers will. However, he has improved significantly in that area year by year. At the Single-A level he averaged 5.9 BB/9, at the A+ level he averaged 4.5 BB/9, and at Triple-A he is producing just 3.4 BB/9. Snell had a great debut for the Rays by pitching five innings, allowing one earned run, two hits, one walk, and six strikeouts. Matt Andriese is moving to the bullpen to make room for Snell. Make the long term investment and add the sensational young gun.
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