PPP 773 – Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitchers To Add And Drop – 4-20-26

Nick Pollock delivers a sharp, data-driven analysis of fantasy baseball starting pitchers after a volatile week of early-season results, emphasizing that short-term performance doesn't always reflect long-term value. He argues that pitchers like Shane McClanahan and Ryan Weathers, despite recent struggles, remain worth holding due to their underlying stuff and upside, especially given the high premium on immediate value over potential. Pollock calls out several 'cherry bomb' pitchers—those with explosive upside but inconsistent command—like Yuri Perez and Joey Cantillo, warning against over-reliance on their boom-or-bust nature. He singles out Noah Schultz and Walbert Arrena as intriguing speculative plays in deeper leagues, praising Schultz’s improved command and Arrena’s deceptive changeup, even as their lack of secondary pitches raises red flags. The episode underscores a core fantasy principle: don’t panic over one bad outing, especially when a pitcher’s tools suggest durability and upside, but also don’t ignore glaring flaws like poor pitch location or over-reliance on a single weapon. Pollock’s tone is pragmatic, balanced, and rooted in process over emotion—perfect for the early season grind when roster decisions are most volatile.