Fantasy baseball: Which pitcher is MVP, LVP in 2024?

Sometimes the best fantasy option is the former who wants to impress the latter. Chris Sale started 20 games for the 2023 Boston Red Sox. He won six games, but did so with a disappointing 4.30 ERA. And this after he had only managed to make 11 starts over the previous three seasons for Boston, as the pitcher dealt with multiple injuries. Still, having a Sale eclipse 100 IP for the first time since 2019 is clearly positive.

Atlanta Braves, coming off a pair of 100-win seasons but also two early playoff exits, the trade for Sale was completed but risky at the end of December, hoping for better health and performance. Sale, 35, delivered in both areas.

He threw his highest innings total since 2017 and also hit a career high. He won all five of his May starts (posting a 0.56 ERA) and earned his eighth All-Star nod before dominating the second half of the season as the injury-plagued Braves battled for a playoff spot. Sale will likely win his first Cy Young award. A mid-round pick in most ESPN leagues, Sale is an easy choice for the ESPN Fantasy pitcher MVP award this season.

Another MVP pitcher candidate

Seth Lugo, SP, Kansas City Royals: Lugo has blossomed into a starter for the 2023 San Diego Padres, but few may have seen or cared when he signed a lucrative two-year deal for the relegated Royals. The 34-year-old Lugo was the last pick in ESPN ADP, but he was one of the best fantasy pitchers this season for a contending team, finishing among the league leaders in wins, ERA and WAR.

Shota Imanaga, SP, Chicago Cubs: After years of underperforming in Japan, Imanaga joined the Cubs and did not allow an earned run in three starts. They didn’t lose a game until the end of May and continued their success all season. The best part is that fantasy managers didn’t make Imanaga one of the first 50 pitchers in ESPN ADP.

Sean Manaea, SP, New York Mets: A swingman for the 2023 San Francisco Giants with seemingly little to offer in fantasy, Manaea signed a one-year contract with the Mets in January, and ended up being the most valuable pitcher in New York, posting the best season of his career. Many of the undrafted pitchers in ESPN’s leagues provide value, but few have been able to match the resurrected Manaea.

Honorable mention: Jack Flaherty, Tigers/Dodgers; Michael King, Padres; Ronel Blanco, Astros; Luis Gil, Yankees; Christopher Sanchez, Phillies.

MVP relief pitcher

While Cleveland Guardians RHP Emmanuel Clase was the best relief pitcher in fantasy in 2024, surpassing 40 saves for the third consecutive season and maintaining an ERA below 1.00 for nearly the entire campaign, Clase was one of the first relief pitchers selected (according to ESPN ADP). Still, they provide excellent value.

However, Texas Rangers RHP Kirby Yates not one of the top picks in the draft. In fact, Yates, who has only saved seven games since his incredible 2019 campaign with the Padres while dealing with an arm injury, has been overlooked in nearly every draft. Yates is not expected to close, but a few weeks into the season, save come. The Rangers couldn’t defend their World Series title, but don’t blame Yates. He’s one of the fantasy closers — and the clear MVP among relievers.

Honorable mention: Class, Guardian; Mason Miller, Athletics; Ryan Walker, Giants; Robert Suarez, Padres; Kyle Finnegan, Citizen

Starting pitcher LVP

Braves SP Spencer Strider won 20 games in 2023, striking out a league-leading 281 batters with an impressive 3.86 ERA and a strong 1.09 WHIP. There is little debate that he deserves to be the first pitcher on the board in the 2024 fantasy draft, a top 10 pick in many. Strider also dominated in spring training, posting a 0.79 ERA over six starts, leading all pitchers in strikeouts. As with Atlanta teammate Ronald Acuna Jr., this is obvious.

Two starts into the season, Strider reported elbow discomfort. A torn UCL was discovered and major surgery was planned. Strider’s season ended after just two starts and nine innings. Acuna ended a few months later, but there was still a small debate. It may seem unfair, but fantasy managers don’t get asterisks for finishing in 10th place when injuries are the main culprit. Based on draft day value/attention, Atlanta boasts fantasy LVPs for both hitters and pitchers.

Dishonorable mention (SP): Shane Bieber, Guardian; Jesus Luzardo, Marlins; Bobby Miller, Dodgers; Eury Perez, Marlins; Chris Bassitt, Blue Jays.

Relief pitcher LVP

Giant RP Camilo Doval was the first relief pitcher selected in multiple ESPN standard formats, ahead of Clase and Josh Hader of the Houston Astros. Doval saved 39 games in 2023. In 2024, Doval struggled with his control, eventually earning a surprise demotion to the minor leagues in August. Even after being promoted back to the Giants, he didn’t close out the game. Some Fantasy managers want to get closer to a 5.00 ERA and 1.60 WHIP.

Profanity (RP): Jordan Romano, Blue Jays; David Bednar, Pirates; Paul Sewald, Diamondbacks.