Fantasy baseball world: Young pitchers to consider

Talented young pitchers are in abundance this season, and staff writer Tim Hubbard looks at three who could play pivotal roles for contending teams real or fantasy.

Chris Archer

SP | Tampa Bay

After the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs thought of him as expendable, the Rays are reaping the spoils of the talented Mr. Archer. The 24-year-old right-hander started the season in the minors, but has been a major cog for one of baseball’s hottest team, and has a 6-4 record with a 2.65 earned-run average and a 1.08 WHIP. Hitters are managing only a .201 batting average against Archer, who had given up only one run in his previous four starts before losing to San Francisco on Friday.

Tony Cingrani

SP | Cincinnati

The Dodgers know first hand about Cingrani’s talent, as they were held scoreless and struck out 11 times in seven innings by the left-hander last Sunday. Cingrani has spent much of the season shuttling between Cincinnati and Louisville, the team’s triple-A affiliate, but the 24-year-old is doing his best to stick with the big club, posting a 4-1 record with a 2.90 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings.

Randall Delgado

SP | Arizona

After a losing bid to land the Diamondbacks’ last rotation spot in the spring, Delgado found himself getting knocked around at triple A to the tune of a 1-4 record with a 6.84 ERA in 11 starts. But two solid outings and a Brandon McCarthy injury later and the 23-year-old Panamanian was called up, and he is making the most of the opportunity. The right-hander was 3-1 in July with a 2.14 ERA, giving Arizona the confidence to trade former ace Ian Kennedy for bullpen help.

tim.hubbard@latimes.com