Fantasy: Year of the pitcher? Not for Morrow

 In a year of tremendous pitching numbers for fantasy baseball, it's not happening for the Blue Jays' Brandon Morrow. In eight starts, Morrow has a 5.11 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. That means he could hit the waiver wire in more shallow leagues or come at a discount.

Morrow was terrible in the first half last season because of some bad luck. Before the All-Star break, he had a 4.86 ERA and 1.46 WHIP and after the break had a 3.69 ERA and 1.21 WHIP.

So what's the issue now? The strikeout rate is elite at 11.66 per nine innings. The biggest problem for Morrow in his career is control, but after a 5.68 BB/9 in 2009, it was 4.06 last season and 3.89 currently.

Morrow has a great K/BB ratio of 57/19. It's not translating into the numbers that matter for most fantasy teams in ERA and WHIP. Once again, he is experiencing bad luck. He has an unlucky .368 batting average on balls in play (BABIP), a low strand rate of 63 percent, a high line-drive rate of 26 percent, and a 2.07 fielding independent pitching (FIP) ERA. Morrow will get better. I would buy low.

Allen Craig (Cardinals, OF): Offense isn't the question. It's Craig's defense. He is getting some time at second base and some more time in the outfield with Matt Holliday on the disabled list. In 98 at-bats, he is batting .347 with four home runs, 22 RBIs, 16 runs and four stolen bases. He showed good power in the minors and will hit for a decent average. If you can use him at second, even better.

Jason Bourgeois (Astros, OF): He was on fire before hitting the DL. Bourgeois was activated Saturday and was playing second base before his injury. If you're in dire need of speed, he can help. He has 12 stolen bases in 28 games.

Josh Tomlin (Indians, SP): Tomlin is 7-2 with a 3.27 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. It won't last. He has allowed 11 homers in 71 1/3 innings and has a lucky .213 BABIP, 4.34 FIP and a low 5.15 K/9. Sell.

Mike Napoli (Rangers, C/1B): I am shocked so many people have dropped him. The playing time was sporadic, but the numbers are there by the end of the season. With 10 home runs, 25 RBIs, and a .915 OPS in 111 at-bats, the playing time will increase.

Alex Rios (White Sox, OF): It can't get much worse for Rios with a .201 average, four home runs, 13 RBIs and four stolen bases. His strikeout rate of 11 percent is the lowest of his career and his line-drive rate is 19 percent. Once the low .208 BABIP rises, the hits will come. Buy low.

Felipe Paulino (Royals, SP): A starter again, Paulino threw five scoreless innings and allowed four hits, no walks and struck out four in his first start. Has a good arm, so take a chance in AL-only leagues.

All statistics entering Friday