Juan Nicasio (SP, PIT) - 2016 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

Current ADP: 344

Baller Move: Target ~321

No one has ever questioned Juan Nicasio's ability to pitch, but after posting a 5.03 ERA through four seasons in Colorado, the outlook was not bright. The Dodgers decided to take a chance on him in 2015 and it paid huge dividends. As a reliever in the Dodgers organization, he threw in 53 games, totaling 58.1 innings, 65 strikeouts, 32 walks, 3.86 ERA, and a 2.83 FIP.  These numbers are impressive, but his low FIP suggests that his ERA should be even better than it was. The Pittsburgh Pirates took notice of Nicasio's successful 2015 campaign and decided to sign him to a one year/$3 million contract for 2016.

Juan Nicasio's first spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates has been a special one. He has thrown 15 innings, giving up 10 hits, walking five, striking out 24 batters, while giving up zero runs. This equates to a stunning 14.4 strikeout per nine inning rate. It is important that you take spring training stats with a grain of salt, but Nicasio has pitched well enough to earn himself a spot in the Pirates rotation.  He is currently battling Ryan Vogelsong for the final spot in the rotation, but now would be a great time to pick up Nicasio before the announcement because his value will rise immediately once this is released. The RotoBaller experts don't have him ranked in the top starting pitcher rankings as it wasn't apparent whether or not he would be in the rotation in 2016. If you are heading into your fantasy baseball draft, Juan Nicasio could be a great late round sleeper pick or someone you need to pick off of waivers immediately once his spot in the rotation is announced.