Holy smokes, week four is here already.
It's hard to believe but we are now a month into the 2019 MLB season.
This week, in the second installment of our 'position dedicated drop lists', we'll look at some starting pitchers who no longer have any business occupying the highly coveted roster spots on your 2019 squad.
We'll identify some of the pitchers that have crashed your teams' numbers early this year, and supply you with the confidence you need to finally send them packing.
2019 Fantasy Baseball Week 4 Drop List
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Zack Godley, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks
It's been a rough April for Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Godley. In his first five starts this season the 29-year-old boasts a 6.67 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP.
Godley, who led all of the majors in wild pitches a year ago with 17, has continued to grapple with control issues in 2019. He is averaging 4.7 BB9 and has a FIP of 5.19 to start the year.
With zero indication that better times are nigh, fantasy owners should feel more than convinced that this is what Godley's 2019 season is destined to look like. Cut ties with him now, and chalk it up to misplaced optimism.
Zach Eflin, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
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After kicking the season off with back-to-back dominant starts, Phillies pitcher Zach Eflin has returned to his normal, mediocre form as of late.
In 26 innings of work this season, Eflin is 2-3, with a 4.15 ERA and a WHIP of 1.35.
The 25-year-old right-hander has particularly struggled against lefties who are hitting .309 against him and have hit four of the six home runs he has surrendered over his first five starts.
The Florida native, who is playing in his fourth big league season, has yet to display to fantasy owners a track record of consistent play at any point in his career. His 48% ownership rate should see a significant drop off in the coming days and weeks.
Nathan Eovaldi, SP, Boston Red Sox
Elbow surgery for #RedSox righty Nathan Eovaldi could sideline him until June: https://t.co/MQPPEoNdI2 pic.twitter.com/CDZyuT9YQJ
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) April 22, 2019
Despite his most recent start, Red Sox pitcher Nathan Eovaldi has been downright terrible in the opening month of the season.
He also just underwent successful elbow surgery which will sideline him until at least early June.
Before being sent to the disabled list, the 29-year old starter posted a bloated 6.00 ERA with a FIP of 7.02 across his first four starts and 21 innings of work.
It's hard to believe that he is still owned in 47% of leagues, but dropping the veteran right-hander should be an easy decision for fantasy owners. Even when healthy Eovaldi has been a tough sell, now that he's hurt there should be no reservations from owners in cutting ties with him.
Julio Urias, SP/RP, Los Angles Dodgers
#Dodgers expect Julio Urias to fill somewhat of an unconventional role out of the bullpen.https://t.co/C3C9oD4BL9 pic.twitter.com/gKrDQ8W03y
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) April 24, 2019
One of the numerous positive storylines revolving around the NL West-leading L.A Dodgers has been the play of reliever Julio Urias.
Due to a number of injuries to key starters for the Dodgers, Urias was added to the rotation earlier in the month and subsequently pitched outstanding. Opponents hit just .189 against him and he struck out 22 batters in 19.2/3 innings pitched.
Unfortunately for fantasy owners though, the return of Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and Rich Hill marks the end of Urias' tenure in the starting rotation.
The 22-year old will be heading back to the bullpen and thus provides little to no upside for owners. Cutting Urias is a tough but nonetheless correct call to make.
Check out the rest of our 2019 Fantasy Baseball content from our great team of writers.
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[…] Now you know who to pick up in your Fantasy leagues, but now you need to figure out who to drop. Find out who Tom Stewart thinks Fantasy owners should drop in his 2019 Fantasy Baseball Week 4 Drop List […]