Top 50 NL-Only Starting Pitcher Rankings for 2016

For those of you who play in mono or "only" leagues, I will be publishing my Top 50 NL-only starting pitcher rankings today and my Top 50 AL-only starting pitcher rankings tomorrow. Ranking players at each position for an "only" league is highly recommended, as drafts are unpredictable and can take a turn that you did not expect, so it is smart to be prepared prior to your drafts.

The NL-only starting pitcher landscape contains up to twelve fantasy aces, and several others who could jump into that club this season. Of National League starters with 70 or more innings pitched last season, a total of 17 struck out more than a batter per inning. Expanding that search, there were 31 starters who struck more than eight batters per nine innings last season, with 20 of those 31 starters pitching 150 innings or more.

There were twelve NL starters who pitched 200 or more innings, and of those twelve, seven put up an ERA under 3.00, and two others pitched to an ERA of 3.50 or lower. Very strange stat - the top seven starters in innings pitched all had an ERA under 3.00 last season.

Those of us in 5 x 5 leagues want that starting pitcher who struck out 200 or more batters on draft day. Last season, twelve NL starters struck out 200 or more, with Clayton Kershaw leading the way with 301 strikeouts.

Looking for a starter with a low WHIP? The National League produced 23 starters with a WHIP of 1.20 or lower. Of the 23, 17 put up a WHIP of 1.15 or lower, 12 with a WHIP of 1.10 or lower, and six of those starters put up a sub-1.00 WHIP.

Wins are so hard to predict, but here is a look at the NL starters who have won the most games over the last three seasons:

The above table just goes to show that you cannot predict wins. No one is drafting Rockies starter Jorge De La Rosa in most mixed or even 12 team NL only leagues, but there he is in the top ten in wins over the last three seasons. Cardinals starter Mike Leake also appears on the list, and he has won more games than Stephen Strasburg and Johnny Cueto, among others. Drink that in for a moment. And how about that Wily Peralta making the list? He won't be drafted in most NL only leagues this year either.

Top 50 NL-only Starting Pitcher Rankings for 2016

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