STARTERS: Early 2021 speculations

Our final Starting Pitchers Buyers Guide column of the regular season will point you towards early 2021 speculative targets.

Here are a bunch of unheralded starting pitchers in each league that have a good shot at taking a step forward in 2021.
 

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Aaron Civale (RHP, CLE) posted nifty 2.34 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 58 IP during 2019, but skill-savvy owners noted his mediocre 80 BPV and left him for others in their 2020 drafts. Indeed, Civale's surface stats have looked more decent than dynamic in 2020 (3.99 ERA, 1.26 WHIP in 70 IP). But Civale's skills have improved significantly: 8.4 Dom, 2.1 Ctl, 45% GB%, 118 BPV. He'll have some good profit potential entering 2021.

Randy Dobnak (RHP, MIN) owns the steepest groundball tilt in...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From Starting Pitchers

The underlying command gains of Cade Povich in the second half bode well for his ability to take a step forward in 2026.
Sep 6 2025 3:10am
Sean Manaea's ugly August ERA hid an impressive foundation of skills that could lead him to a much better showing in September.
Aug 30 2025 3:09am
Shane Baz's volatility can be traced back to some significant struggles against lefty bats.
Aug 23 2025 3:09am
Andrew Abbott's shiny surface stats are hiding a shaky foundation of skills when he pitches at home.
Aug 16 2025 3:09am
Cristopher Sanchez's elite second half results have been driven by similarly elite underlying skills.
Aug 9 2025 3:09am

Tools