2014 Points League Rankings: Top 125 Pitchers

Yesterday, I posted my top-200 hitters in head-to-head points leagues. Today I'll reveal my top 125-pitchers (starters and relievers), before releasing my top-300 overall players on Wednesday. While a hitter's value differs greatly from roto to points, a pitcher's value is more similar across the two formats (assuming the scoring settings I've outlined below).

Keep in mind: Your final rankings may look wildly different depending on the scoring system implemented in your league. For simplicity, I'll be using the following scoring settings (which is also the standard points format used in ESPN leagues): one point for each recorded out and strikeout, minus-one point for every walk and hit, minus-two points for every earned run, five points for a win or save, and five points for a loss.

Last year's king among pitchers was the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw, who scored 678 points, followed by the Tigers' Max Scherzer (627 points). Both Cy Young award winners out-paced the No. 1 hitter, Mike Trout, who tallied 592 points. Pitchers who consistently log innings are important in points leagues, but that doesn't mean you absolutely must draft a top-10 pitcher. Streaming is a very effective strategy if you're allowed -- as, simply put, collecting more innings leads to more points. Last year, for example, my No. 1 starter was Jordan Zimmermann, who was barely a top-30 consideration. He ended logging a career high in innings and wins, finishing as the No. 14 pitcher in points leagues.

Because a save counts as much as win, relievers are a valuable commodity, but the relievers with elite strikeout rates (Craig Kimbrel, Greg Holland, Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, etc.) are the ones you want to target. Kimbrel was the most valuable reliever in 2013, finishing with 477 points -- which was the 11th highest total among all pitchers. Holland was 13th overall with 468 points. Relievers with solid ratios but little in the way of strikeouts are devalued in points leagues.

As a reminder, scoring for pitchers in points leagues is one point for each recorded out and strikeout, minus-one point for every walk and hit, minus-two points for every earned run, five points for a win or save, and five points for a loss. Your league may weigh points differently, so be sure to check your scoring and settings -- it will affect your final rankings/projections considerably.

Here are my top-125 pitchers in points leagues for 2014: