Cole Irvin

Irvin produced an ERA below 4.00 for the first time last year, but that's mostly thanks to the fact that league-wide scoring dropped. By park-adjusted ERA-, he actually got slightly worse, going from 103 in that category in 2021 to 108 in 2022 despite improving his actual ERA by 26 points. A pitcher who can produce a below-average but passable performance across 30 starts certainly has value, both in MLB and in deeper fantasy leagues, but nothing in Irvin's record suggests he's on the verge of becoming anything more than that. He has excellent control, as his 4.9 BB% was even better than his career mark of 5.4%, but he doesn't have much more than that. The lefty's fastball averaged a mere 90.9 mph, and his 17.3 K% was poor as usual. Much of his appeal came from the fact that he was with Oakland, which meant a safe rotation spot and half of his starts at one of the league's most pitcher-friendly parks, but he was traded to Baltimore during the offseason. Camden Yards became more pitcher friendly last season with the fence in left field being pushed back, but it's still a clear downgrade from the Coliseum. His rotation spot, however, should be similarly secure with the Orioles.

Irvin wasn't expected to take on much more than a swingman role after the A's acquired him from the Phillies last January, but the southpaw's strong performance in spring training earned him a spot in the starting rotation to begin the season. With modest off-speed offerings to go along with a four seamer and sinker that both sat in the low 90s, Irvin struck batters out at an uninspiring 16.3% clip. His other peripherals weren't much better either, as he posted a 24.4 LD%, 37.9 FB% and 10.4 HR/FB%. Despite those numbers working against him, an excellent 5.5 BB% helped him post a 4.24 ERA and 4.30 FIP across a career-high 178.1 innings. Irving's inability to overpower hitters suggests that he likely performed close to his ceiling in 2021. That being said, even if takes a step back next season, the lefty still profiles as a passable fourth or fifth starter in most big-league rotations.

With a number of the Phillies' primary rotation options underperforming, Irvin got his chance to prove that his 2.57 ERA for Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2018 would translate to the big leagues despite mediocre stuff. In 41.2 innings, the stuff concerns won out, as the lefty stumbled to a 5.83 ERA. He couldn't strike out enough batters (17.1%) or keep the ball on the ground (34.4% groundball rate). His 7.2% walk rate was good, but not at the elite level necessary to make up for those deficiencies. With a fastball that averaged less than 90 mph and no above-average secondary weapons, it's hard to see Irvin making a particularly strong push for the fifth starter spot this season, as good control can only get a pitcher so far on its own. Lefties managed a .935 OPS off of him, so if he does move to the bullpen, it may only be in a mop-up role. There's not much here barring a sudden repertoire change.