5 years agoUPDATE: Chris Archer will miss the 2020 season after undergoing thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. Chris Archer posted an ugly 5.19 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 119.2 IP last season, as he had major problems with the long ball. His HR rate increased from 1.15 HR/9 to 1.88 HR/9, largely due to an inflated 20.2% HR/FB, resulting from his sinker that was absolutely pummeled for 6 HR and .778 SLG. The good news is that Archer improved dramatically as the season progressed. From June 16 onward, he posted a 4.65 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and an impressive 31.4 K% in 60.0 IP. His HR rate also stabilized to a more reasonable 1.35 HR/9. During this stretch, Archer scrapped his sinker: 9.6% usage in June, 1.0% in July, and 0.6% in August - a dramatic decrease from 19.6% in April and 20.9% in May. While his second-half surface stats aren't overly impressive, his significant improvements in strikeout rate and home run suppression bode well for the 2020 season. While it's unlikely that we will ever see Archer return to his ace form, this is still a pitcher with an elite strikeout rate, making him a viable option in fantasy drafts. Archer is being drafted with a 264 ADP, behind less proven pitchers like Adrian Houser and Anthony DeSclafani. He enters his age-31 season with no injury restrictions looking to bounce-back from a disappointing 2019. Draft Archer for his strikeout upside to round out your rotation.--Frank Ammirante - RotoBaller