Biographical

Portrait of Chris Archer

Chris Archer PRays

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2019 Projections (Preseason PECOTA - seasonal age 30)
IP ERA WHIP SO W L SV WARP
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Birth Date9-26-1988
Height6' 2"
Weight195 lbs
Age36 years, 1 months, 29 days
BatsR
ThrowsR
5.72015
4.62016
4.62017
1.92018
2.02019
proj
WARP Summary

MLB Statistics

Historical (past-seasons) WARP is now based on DRA..
cFIP and DRA are not available on a by-team basis and display as zeroes(0). See TOT line for season totals of these stats.
Multiple stints are are currently shown —Click to hide.
YEAR Team Lg G GS IP W L SV H BB SO HR PPF H/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/9 GB% BABIP WHIP FIP ERA cFIP DRA DRA- WARP
2012 TBA MLB 6 4 29.3 1 3 0 23 13 36 3 98 7.1 4.0 0.9 11.0 0% .290 1.23 3.35 4.60 98 3.56 81.5 0.5
2013 TBA MLB 23 23 128.7 9 7 0 107 38 101 15 95 7.5 2.7 1.0 7.1 0% .253 1.13 4.09 3.22 105 4.24 101.6 1.1
2014 TBA MLB 32 32 194.7 10 9 0 177 72 173 12 96 8.2 3.3 0.6 8.0 0% .296 1.28 3.41 3.33 101 3.81 93.4 2.5
2015 TBA MLB 34 34 212.0 12 13 0 175 66 252 19 103 7.4 2.8 0.8 10.7 0% .296 1.14 2.86 3.23 92 2.83 66.2 5.7
2016 TBA MLB 33 33 201.3 9 19 0 183 67 233 30 102 8.2 3.0 1.3 10.4 49% .297 1.24 3.77 4.02 93 3.38 74.8 4.6
2017 TBA MLB 34 34 201.0 10 12 0 193 60 249 27 97 8.6 2.7 1.2 11.1 43% .325 1.26 3.38 4.07 91 3.53 75.2 4.6
2018 PIT 0 10 10 52.3 3 3 0 53 18 60 8 98 9.1 3.1 1.4 10.3 48% .328 1.36 3.96 4.30 98 4.30 96.0 0.6
2018 TBA 0 17 17 96.0 3 5 0 102 31 102 11 101 9.6 2.9 1.0 9.6 46% .343 1.39 3.65 4.31 98 4.12 92.1 1.3
2019 PIT MLB 23 23 119.7 3 9 0 114 55 143 25 98 8.6 4.1 1.9 10.8 38% .298 1.41 4.97 5.19 102 4.42 90.8 1.8
2018 TOT MLB 27 27 148.3 6 8 0 155 49 162 19 100 9.4 3.0 1.2 9.8 46% .338 1.38 3.76 4.31 98 4.18 93.5 1.9
CareerMLB2122101235.06080011274201349150998.23.11.19.846%.3021.253.633.86973.6783.022.6

Statistics for All Levels

'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
Minor league stats are currently shown —Click to hide.
YEAR Team Lg LG G GS IP W L SV H BB SO HR PPF H/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/9 GB% BABIP WHIP FIP ERA cFIP DRA DRA-
2006 BNC Rk APL 1 0 1.2 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 15.0 7.5 7.5 7.5 0% .250 2.50 17.70 15.00 0 0.00 0.0
2006 IND Rk GCL 7 6 19.1 0 3 0 17 17 21 1 101 8.0 8.0 0.5 9.9 0% .291 1.78 5.04 7.54 118 6.25 131.1
2007 LKC A SAL 1 0 4.0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 83 11.3 6.8 0.0 11.3 0% .417 2.00 3.99 9.00 101 6.09 125.0
2007 IND Rk GCL 12 11 52.7 1 7 0 56 21 48 4 9.6 3.6 0.7 8.2 0% .333 1.46 4.25 5.64 0 0.00 0.0
2008 LKC A SAL 27 27 115.3 4 8 0 92 84 106 8 100 7.2 6.6 0.6 8.3 0% .269 1.53 5.09 4.29 119 5.56 113.7
2009 PEO A MDW 27 26 109.0 6 4 0 78 66 119 0 103 6.4 5.4 0.0 9.8 0% .288 1.32 3.45 2.81 96 3.73 78.4
2010 DAY A+ FSL 15 14 72.3 7 1 0 54 26 82 4 84 6.7 3.2 0.5 10.2 0% .272 1.11 3.08 2.86 0 0.00 0.0
2010 TEN AA SOU 13 13 70.0 8 2 0 48 39 67 2 102 6.2 5.0 0.3 8.6 0% .254 1.24 3.59 1.80 0 0.00 0.0
2011 MNT AA SOU 25 25 134.3 8 7 0 136 80 118 11 106 9.1 5.4 0.7 7.9 0% .318 1.61 4.61 4.42 111 5.74 117.2
2011 DUR AAA INT 2 2 13.0 1 0 0 11 6 12 0 95 7.6 4.2 0.0 8.3 0% .297 1.31 2.77 0.69 101 4.64 94.8
2012 TBA MLB AL 6 4 29.3 1 3 0 23 13 36 3 98 7.1 4.0 0.9 11.0 0% .290 1.23 3.35 4.60 98 3.56 81.5
2012 DUR AAA INT 25 25 128.0 7 9 0 99 62 139 6 103 7.0 4.4 0.4 9.8 0% .293 1.26 3.21 3.66 89 3.79 79.0
2013 TBA MLB AL 23 23 128.7 9 7 0 107 38 101 15 95 7.5 2.7 1.0 7.1 0% .253 1.13 4.09 3.22 105 4.24 101.6
2013 DUR AAA INT 10 10 50.0 5 3 0 50 23 52 6 105 9.0 4.1 1.1 9.4 0% .312 1.46 4.18 3.96 99 4.42 96.0
2014 TBA MLB AL 32 32 194.7 10 9 0 177 72 173 12 96 8.2 3.3 0.6 8.0 0% .296 1.28 3.41 3.33 101 3.81 93.4
2015 TBA MLB AL 34 34 212.0 12 13 0 175 66 252 19 103 7.4 2.8 0.8 10.7 0% .296 1.14 2.86 3.23 92 2.83 66.2
2016 TBA MLB AL 33 33 201.3 9 19 0 183 67 233 30 102 8.2 3.0 1.3 10.4 49% .297 1.24 3.77 4.02 93 3.38 74.8
2017 TBA MLB AL 34 34 201.0 10 12 0 193 60 249 27 97 8.6 2.7 1.2 11.1 43% .325 1.26 3.38 4.07 91 3.53 75.2
2018 PIT MLB NL 10 10 52.3 3 3 0 53 18 60 8 98 9.1 3.1 1.4 10.3 48% .328 1.36 3.96 4.30 98 4.30 96.0
2018 TBA MLB AL 17 17 96.0 3 5 0 102 31 102 11 101 9.6 2.9 1.0 9.6 46% .343 1.39 3.65 4.31 98 4.12 92.1
2018 PCH A+ FSL 1 1 4.0 0 0 0 0 1 7 0 101 0.0 2.3 0.0 15.8 100% .000 0.25 0.72 0.00 59 1.98 41.8
2019 PIT MLB NL 23 23 119.7 3 9 0 114 55 143 25 98 8.6 4.1 1.9 10.8 38% .298 1.41 4.97 5.19 102 4.42 90.8

Plate Discipline

YEAR Pits Zone% Swing% Contact% Z-Swing% O-Swing% Z-Contact% O-Contact% SwStr%
2012 490 0.4041 0.3878 0.7421 0.5758 0.2603 0.8246 0.6184 0.2579
2013 2092 0.4756 0.4560 0.7851 0.6221 0.3054 0.8611 0.6448 0.2149
2014 3151 0.4843 0.4288 0.7676 0.5839 0.2831 0.8687 0.5717 0.2324
2015 3448 0.4829 0.4661 0.7001 0.6108 0.3309 0.8299 0.4763 0.2999
2016 3390 0.4723 0.4499 0.7010 0.6127 0.3041 0.8196 0.4871 0.2990
2017 3384 0.4929 0.4764 0.6942 0.6439 0.3135 0.7933 0.4963 0.3058
2018 2504 0.4776 0.4824 0.7119 0.6480 0.3310 0.8206 0.5173 0.2881
2019 2095 0.4611 0.4530 0.7018 0.6170 0.3127 0.8154 0.5099 0.2982
Career205540.47750.45720.72090.61790.31020.82860.52500.2791

Injury History  —  No longer being updated

Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET

Date On Date Off Transaction Days Games Side Body Part Injury Severity Surgery Date Reaggravation
2013-08-08 2013-08-13 DTD 5 3 Right Forearm Tightness - -
2012-07-08 2012-07-22 Minors 14 0 Left Abdomen Strain Oblique - -
2008-04-23 2008-04-30 Minors 7 0 Not Disclosed -

Compensation

Year Team Salary
2023 MIN $750,000
2022 MIN $2,750,000
2021 TBA $6,500,000
2020 PIT $9,000,000
2019 PIT $7,666,666
2018 TBA $6,416,666
2017 TBA $4,916,667
2016 TBA $2,916,667
2015 TBA $1,166,667
2014 TBA $666,667
2013 TBA $
YearsDescriptionSalary
11 yrPrevious$42,750,000
11 yrTotal$42,750,000

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status
9 y 156 dVC Sports1 year/$3.5M (2022), 2023 option

Details
  • 1 year/$3.5M (2022), plus 2023 mutual option. Signed by Minnesota as a free agent 3/28/22. 22:$2.75M, 23:$10M mutual option ($750,000 buyout). May earn additional $9.5M in performance bonuses based on starts and appearances of 3 innings or more. Minnesota declined 2023 option 11/22.
  • 1 year/$6.5M (2021). Signed by Tampa Bay as a free agent 2/2/21.
  • 6 years/$25.5M (2014-19), plus 2020-21 club options. Signed extension with Tampa Bay 4/2/14, replacing 1-year deal for $511,200 signed 3/2/14. $1M signing bonus. 14:$500,000, 15:$1M, 16:$2.75M, 17:$4.75M, 18:$6.25M, 19:$7.5M, 20:$9M club option ($1.75M buyout), 21:$11M club option ($0.25M buyout). Assignment bonus: $0.5M. If Archer does not qualify for arbitration as a Super Two after the 2015 season, guarantee is reduced to $20M, with salaries of $1M in 2016, $3M in 2017, $4.75M in 2018, $7M in 2019. At signing, largest contract for player with less than 1 year of Major League service. Acquired by Pittsburgh in trade from Tampa Bay 7/31/18 with $11,799,731 remaining on contract ($2,049,731 in 2018, $7.5M in 2019, $1.75M buyout and $0.5M assignment bonus). Pittsburgh exercised 2020 option at $9M 11/4/19.
  • 1 year (2013). Re-signed by Tampa Bay 3/2/13.
  • 1 year (2012). Re-signed by Tampa Bay 3/3/12.
  • 1 year (2011). Contract purchased by Chicago Cubs 11/19/10. Acquired by Tampa Bay in trade from Chicago Cubs 1/7/11.
  • Acquired by Chicago Cubs in trade from Cleveland 12/31/08 (DeRosa deal).
  • Drafted by Cleveland 2006 (5-161) (Clayton HS, N.C.).

2019 Preseason Forecast

Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET

PCT W L SV G GS IP H BB SO HR BABIP WHIP ERA DRA VORP WARP
90o 0 10.7 0 26 26 154.6 125 44 162 14 .277 1.09 2.69 2.99 3.4 0.4
80o 0 10.9 0 25 25 148.9 127 44 156 15 .288 1.15 2.99 3.32 -2.0 -0.2
70o 0 11 0 25 25 144.9 129 45 151 15 .296 1.20 3.21 3.56 -5.6 -0.6
60o 0 11.1 0 24 24 141.4 130 45 148 15 .302 1.23 3.39 3.77 -8.6 -0.9
50o 0 11.2 0 23 23 138.3 130 45 145 15 .308 1.27 3.57 3.97 -11.4 -1.2
40o 0 11.3 0 23 23 135.2 131 46 141 15 .315 1.31 3.75 4.17 -14.0 -1.5
30o 0 11.4 0 22 22 131.9 132 46 138 15 .321 1.35 3.94 4.38 -16.6 -1.8
20o 0 11.4 0 22 22 128.0 133 46 134 15 .329 1.40 4.17 4.63 -19.5 -2.1
10o 0 11.5 0 21 21 122.8 134 47 129 15 .339 1.47 4.49 4.98 -23.2 -2.5
Weighted Mean011.202323138.31304514515.3071.263.563.95-11.1-1.2

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BP Annual Player Comments

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BP Articles

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BP Chats

DateQuestionAnswer
2020-06-05 13:00:00 (link to chat)For 12 team dynasties, is Chris Archer now a drop? he probably should have been prior but got to imagine this may be the end of his rosterable fantasy career.
(Ben from Pittsburgh)		Ugh. Yeah the Archer news is terrible. He's probably a drop now, yes, unless you have the means to hang on to him on the IL or your rosters are crazy deep. (Mark Barry)
2019-05-29 13:00:00 (link to chat)What's up with Chris Archer? Is he still a top 50 starter? His 4.75 SIERA ranks 103 of 144 pitchers with 30 IP.
(matzabal from xcountry)		I don't care about SIERA in the slightest, but I think he's using an inopportune pitch mix at present. I don't think that's the whole issue, but he's turning to a sinker that was re-introduced last year and it isn't particularly good at missing bats. I think he's got the profile to benefit from throwing the slider/fastball more heavily and only sprinkling in the rest. (Craig Goldstein)
2019-03-15 16:00:00 (link to chat)One opinion I've heard re: starting pitchers is that there is essentially a class of 12-15 guys at the top and then nothing appealing until you start looking at late round flyers. Are there any boring ol' tier two pitchers that you like? (e.g. the David Prices of the world).
(nschaef from NYC)		I'll always be a sucker for Masahiro Tanaka, who seems to go around that range as well. And I'll be interested to see what Chris Archer does with a full season in Pittsburgh. Looking at ADP though, it does look pretty rough for that middle, though. I'll also take Rick Porcello for volume and Tyler Glasnow for Tyler Glasnow-y reasons. (Mark Barry)
2018-11-30 13:00:00 (link to chat)Would you feel comfortable locking in either Chris Archer for $28 or Zach Grienke $29 as your frontline starter? Last year the big 4 went for between $38-$42. ($300 budget 20 Starter [11 hitter/9 pitchers] 9 reserve league)
(tallahassee from Chatham, NJ)		Between the two I'd take Greinke (especially if he moves to a friendlier park) (Jeffrey Paternostro)
2017-06-22 13:00:00 (link to chat)Who do you see as a good comp for Eloy Jimenez?
(BC from Urbandale)		I've seen comps as lofty as Giancarlo Stanton, but I'm not sure how realistic that is. Maybe the answer is Roy Hobbs. I think the better question is whether he stays in Chicago or is dealt for someone like Chris Archer. (Collin Whitchurch)
2017-02-09 13:00:00 (link to chat)The top 2 SP mentioned on the market currently appear to be Chris Archer and Jose Quintana. What kind of production do you project for these 2 currently? And, how do you feel this could change with relocation to a stronger team, NL team, and/or better park? (In other words, do all arrows point up if they are traded?) Cheers...
(LoyalRoyal from Favorite Pizza Place)		Archer had a rough start, but he's basically Chris Archer. He's pretty great. The thing is, and I know this is a dangerous thing for a Serious Baseball Intellectual to say... I kind of like the Rays. I know PECOTA is biased in their favor, but I look at the lineup and especially the rotation and I can actually see a winning season.

As for Jose Quintana, there is probably no easier pitcher in baseball to project. He will do exactly as well as he did last year, and the year before that, and the year before that. Saying otherwise would be madness. Though given his recent flyball proclivities, and the current White Sox outfield defense, a move to any other team would probably be good for him. (Patrick Dubuque)
2016-12-01 19:00:00 (link to chat)Do you have any biggest bounce-back candidate or buy-low suggestions for us? Thanks for taking the time to chat with us.
(Jay M. from Allegan County, MI)		Chris Archer seems obvious, although given the 200+ strikeouts it's not like he did nothing last year. I like Justin Upton as a buy low and on the pitching side I think Adam Wainwright has one more halfway decent season in him before he retires. (Mike Gianella)
2016-09-15 13:00:00 (link to chat)Chris Archer was fairly hittable earlier over-relying on his change-ups. Now he's throwing it less and going back to his bread-and-butter. Is there ever going to be a happy medium between the two Archers?
(Jake from Suburban areas of Chicago )		It's a game of adjustments and confidence. So, yes and no. (Harry Pavlidis)
2016-04-21 19:00:00 (link to chat)Any idea what's wrong with Chris Archer? Really not looking like himself so far.
(Kristen from Canada)		He is having all sort of trouble with his command and his slider simply isn't moving at all. Why this is happening I have no idea. He's getting strikeouts and the velocity seems to be there, which makes me believe it's not an injury and it's a mechanical issue. But I have no way of knowing if this is true. (Mike Gianella)
2016-04-14 20:00:00 (link to chat)Are you concerned at all about Chris Archer's relative lack of command in 2015 second half and the beginning of 2016?
(Lark from Wisconsin)		A little, yes. I have no idea why it's happening and I think he'll come around, but I have Archer in a couple of leagues and I'm a bit of a worrier. (Scooter Hotz)
2015-12-08 13:00:00 (link to chat)In a dynasty league, would Chris Archer, Giolito and Orlando Arcia be too much to give up for Kris Bryant?
(Jdwatson09 from CA)		Bret Sayre could answer this just dizzyingly better than I can. I would probably take the Bryant side of that, but narrowly. (Matthew Trueblood)
2015-12-08 13:00:00 (link to chat)Taking the other side of the contract equation. Every time I see Chris Archer's name I think of Paul Goldschmidt because they have a couple of the most team friendly contracts in the game. An article fictitious team with the best team friendly contracts, only players in arbitration or beyond, would be interesting.
(oldbopper from New Britain, CT)		Yes, Archer, Sal Perez (even if he's shown some warts now, and even if Ned Yost is determined to kill him with two years left on the deal), Goldy, all excellent. (Matthew Trueblood)
2015-10-06 19:30:00 (link to chat)Thoughts on Chris Archer's hair (and broadcasting ability) and will it be tamed after ESPN talks to him?
(jks19 from Virginia)		It's like people never saw the majesty of Jenrry Mejia's amazingly large mane.- JP (AL Wild Card Game Chat)
2015-08-13 20:00:00 (link to chat)Greg, in that same league would you rather have $25 Chris Archer and $3 Gibson or $6 Julio Urias and $1 Alex Bregman?
(Matthew from Twin Cities)		Archer side. I like Urias and Bregan both but always go for the established major leaguers unless it's cost prohibitive. (Greg Wellemeyer)
2015-04-06 20:15:00 (link to chat)Who has the best socks in the MLB? Seeing Sonny Gray's right now and they are niiiiiice. But Scooter Gennett's this afternoon were on point as well. Thoughts?
(Dylan from CT)		I *LOVE* this question. Gray and Gennett are REALLY strong plays. I love Chris Archer's sock game too. I consulted with style-expert Woj, and he said Archer too. I should mention Brad Miller for his stirrup game, too. (Craig Goldstein)
2014-05-15 20:00:00 (link to chat)Is this just a long hangover from Chris Archer's terrible September or has he been figured out by big league hitting?
(louman777 from STM CT)		I'm starting to wonder just how cut out Archer is for a starting role long-term. He's got the slider, but he would make for a nasty end-game reliever. (Bret Sayre)
2014-04-29 13:00:00 (link to chat)Is Chris Archer back to being a potential #2?
(Juan Pedro from Maitland, FL)		Yes. (R.J. Anderson)
2014-04-16 19:00:00 (link to chat)Who wins this trade Aramis Ramirez, Nate Eovaldi and Tyler Skaggs for Eric Hosmer Doug Fister and Chris Archer?
(Jason from Uranus)		Is this real? The Hosmer/Fister/Archer side, all day errday. I guess there's some cause to hesitate in redraft leagues, but even then, give me Door No. 2 (Ben Carsley)
2014-04-21 13:00:00 (link to chat)For a pitcher like Chris Archer with two + pitches, is having a third average more important or is something like fastball command even important-er?
(Hustlin Pedroia from Burbs)		Nice use of important-er. Well played.

I'd always rather take quality over quantity, so I'd rather have my plus fastball play up to be even better by pairing it with plus command. Sometimes additional average pitches or below average pitches just get in the way. Why throw a crappy pitch when you can keep throwing your good ones? It's not always that simple, but if I have to break it down, I'd rather have two great pitches than a full average arsenal. (Jeff Moore)
2014-04-08 14:00:00 (link to chat)Dynasty forever Keeper (W,K,ERA,WHIP). Who do you want: Shelby Miller or Chris Archer? Is it even close?
(bb10kbb10k from Erie, PA)		Gimme Miller, and it's not particularly close. (Doug Thorburn)
2014-04-03 19:30:00 (link to chat)Is Chris Archer a starter or a reliever?
(Judge Owens from Baltimore)		Put the Rays game on MLB.tv and you tell me (Craig Goldstein)
2014-03-19 20:00:00 (link to chat)Is Anibal Sanchez's recent shoulder trouble enough to keep Chris Archer over him in a 12 team keeper H2H league?
(Joe from Oakland)		Not right now. Sanchez has been battling his shoulder for years, it's built into his value. (Bret Sayre)
2014-04-04 12:00:00 (link to chat)All the teasing about it, from Spring Training and anonymous AL Scout praise and not one change-up. Well, here's to possibly 8 years of waiting and watching...for Chris Archer and his change-up. #swoon
(jlarsen from Chicagoland)		this was a surprise, not one changeup from Archer in his 2014 debut. It's gonna be really hard for him to make it with two pitches, as good as those are. My suspicion is he wasn't feeling sharp--as reflected by his fastball command--and his confidence with the changeup is shaky. Put those together and we get a 0 changeup day. I would've expected more progress by now, but we'll see next time. (Harry Pavlidis)
2014-03-04 13:00:00 (link to chat)Chris Archer working hard on change-up, Jake Odorizzi learning how to throw Alex Cobb's split-finger change-up, Nate Karns improving on his change-up and Jake McGee adding a change-up w/ a possibility of a curveball to his repertoire. Which one of these guys will benefit most from adding the pitch that some people are obsessed/fixated/fascinated with? If Odorizzi does indeed learn and hone "The Thing"(split-change), would this take him from a bottom-of-rotation to a 2/3 guy because he'll finally have an out-pitch?
(jlarsen from Chicagoland Area)		a killer changeup can move the needle, sure. But some times a guy is just hoping to get a half-way decent one. In theory any big league pitcher who 'learns awesome new pitch' is going to get better, change cutter knucklecurve etc, but it feels to me like Odorizzi and Archer are going to benefit the most, since they are already potential quality starters and this could put them over the top. Karns could be helped out by having a better chance to stick in the rotation, but that's not as shiny as having a chacne to be a front-line guy. (Harry Pavlidis)
2014-02-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)What do you see out of Chris Archer this year? Top 30 SP possible?
(rparker1983 from Lake Titicaca)		It's *possible*. He's awesome. I do worry about some injury indicators tied to his velo and slider usage. (Paul Sporer)
2014-02-10 13:00:00 (link to chat)Who will have a better year in AL H-H league? Ervin Santana, Ubaldo Jimenez, or Chris Archer. (both FA would be eligible in our league even if they're in NL). Also, salaries are equal, who would you rather have Greinke or Joe Mauer?
(redsoxin2004 from Columbia, CT)		Archer, Greinke. (Jeff Moore)
2014-01-10 13:00:00 (link to chat)In regards to Chris Archer, has the control really improved that much or should we see regression in 2014?
(Jeff from KC)		In the starts I saw last year -- both in Triple-A and Tampa -- I saw progress. Some things clicked for him last year and the control of the fastball and slider were both significantly improved. Whether that growth holds this year remains to be seen. Control can come and go in young pitchers, but I would expect at least some of the progress to be sustained this year. (Mark Anderson)
2013-10-28 18:00:00 (link to chat)Hi Mike, From a fantasy perspective keep 2 of the following: Chris Archer, Trevor Rosenthal, and Danny Salazar
(JasonPennini from Denver)		Hi Jason.

Tough question to answer without knowing what Rosenthal's role is going to be next year. Assuming he is closing, I would go with Archer and Rosenthal. Salazar is an exciting talent, but given the limitations on his pitch counts this year, I'm less confident in him in what will be his first full season. I always lean toward Rays pitchers given the organization's strong track record, and it's not like Archer struggled in his rookie campaign either. Take Archer and go with Rosenthal in the hopes that he's closing. If he isn't closing, he's the rare middle reliever who - even in a standard mixed league - will have some value. (Mike Gianella)
2013-11-05 13:00:00 (link to chat)Do you see a possible #2 SP in Chris Archer?
(Greg from Durham)		Potential is there, absolutely. (Nick J. Faleris)
2013-10-15 13:00:00 (link to chat)What is the upside of Chris Archer in 2014?
(vampires from burton mi)		I love Archer. He's not a finished product, but I can see him finding comfort in the middle of a ML rotation in 2014 and stepping forward after that. He has a very high ceiling. (Jason Parks)
2013-09-04 13:00:00 (link to chat)You once said you were #smitten with Chris Archer's NC-17 stuff. No that he's having some success in TB, how do you see his future? Still potential #2?
(Ben from Durham)		He still has work to do, but my love for Archer remains strong and true, and one of these days when he's a number two starter, the world will rejoice and I'll light an extra candle for him during #BathNight. (Jason Parks)
2013-09-17 13:00:00 (link to chat)Did Chris Archer throw any change-ups tod....oh, nevermind. In all seriousness, can you explain the weirdness going on w/ Chris Archer & Alex Cobb? They have pretty much the same ERA, but Cobb(who doesn't have the explosive repertoire of Archer) has more Ks and Archer(who can be a "nibbler") has a lower WHIP. Also, if you were Andrew Friedman and had the opportunity to sign 1 of these 2 pitchers to a long-term deal...which would be your choice?
(jlarsen from Chicagoland)		Cobb has some deception working in his favor and his splitter > Archer's change. Making me pick one, eh? I'll go Archer on the upside. (Harry Pavlidis)
2013-09-11 13:00:00 (link to chat)Since all my workers are distracted from working by your chat today, who will now be the top Rays prospect given the graduation of Wil Myers, Chris Archer, and injuries to Taylor Guerreri and Hak-Ju Lee?
(Da Boss from Bossland)		Good question. As you mentioned, graduations and injuries have killed them at the top. Of course, that's a good thing with the graduations, as Myers and Archer have played a key role (along with other guys like Torres) in the Rays contending this season. It might still be Lee. Jesse Hahn is up there if they can keep him healthy. He's not going to be no. 1 in their system this offseason, but Ryne Stanek was a great value pick with upside, I thought, and he's absolutely one to watch. (Jason Cole)
2013-08-14 13:00:00 (link to chat)With Taylor Guerreri down with TJ, Hak-Ju Lee also hurt most of the year, who is now the new Rays number 1 prospect?
(Mike from Tampa)		Well, I will preface this by saying the graduations of Wil Myers and Chris Archer have been very positive this year. Odorizzi has contributed just a bit as well. But it's no doubt a system in transition right now with the graduations and now injuries. I'd have to think about it a little longer on the no. 1 prospect. Ryne Stanek wasn't exactly the model of consistency at Arkansas this past spring, but he can flash the pure stuff to at least be in that discussion once he gets going. (Jason Cole)
2013-08-27 13:00:00 (link to chat)Did Chris Archer throw any change-ups today?? lol
(jlarsen from Chicago, IL)		:-| (Harry Pavlidis)
2013-07-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)Is Chris Archer's recent run of better command/control as simple as using the 4-seam fastball more than the 2-seamer?
(CWinslow from TVPD)		Yes, I had noticed that and Jason Collette agreed that he had moved away from it since he was having trouble keeping it in the zone. But the other, perhaps more exciting news, is his changeup. It's getting nasty. He doesn't even need a plus change with his fastball and ridiculous slider, but if it does turn out that way .... oh boy. When he was sent to Tampa in the Garza deal, I felt the Cubs gave up a wild arm who had a long shot of bottling his potential. Either that long shot is coming in or I underestimated his ability to develop. Tampa got it right. (Harry Pavlidis)
2013-07-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)Has Chris Archer proven his worth to remain in Tampa long term? Will be grow into somethin special or solid back end rotation guy?
(Marvin from Boston)		as I noted in another question, I think he's getting close to something special. He's had it in him, but now he's realizing that potential. May he still fall short? Yup, but I'm not doubting him like I used to. (Harry Pavlidis)
2013-07-19 13:00:00 (link to chat)Is Dan Haren worthy of a buy low offer? I'm near the top of the league and could get him for Chris Archer. The points league counts Wins and QS, so being on Washington helps, but Archer clearly has the edge in upside.
(RotoLando from Cloud City)		I don't think Chris Archer is a buy-low price. I love Haren, but that's full price for the kind of risk you're assuming. (Paul Sporer)
2013-05-16 13:00:00 (link to chat)Could you please post more articles like the one you did last year on that Chris Archer game versus Texas. I believe you were laid up following surgery...
(dbrosene from San Mateo, CA)		I will absolutely produce more of those articles. I love sitting on my couch, drinking and watching MLB.tv and "scouting" as I go along. Those are a lot of fun. (Jason Parks)
2013-04-30 12:00:00 (link to chat)Who gets the call up first? Wil Myers or Chris Archer?
(Annoyned Fan from TPA)		I'd say Myers because it's easier to see his path. The Super Two deadline is about five weeks away, which seems like the big thing holding him back. With Archer the Rays need to suffer an injury or send a pitcher packing. (R.J. Anderson)
2013-04-30 12:00:00 (link to chat)Why is Chris Archer getting so much more love than his teammate Jake Odorizzi? Odorizzi is younger and pitching better at the same level. Sure, Archer has that slider, but when it comes to getting that next rotation spot, shouldn't results matter? And age vs level? It's not like Odorizzi is a scrub.
(Apats from Parts Unknown)		Odorizzi is a solid prospect as well, no doubt. We're not talking about polished versus raw here, though, since Odorizzi needs to work on his command as well. It's hard to draw conclusions based solely on minor-league stats, especially with pitchers. If Archer is working on his changeup and command and pitching worse than he would otherwise how much do you hold that against him? I don't know the answer, just throwing it out there. (That Durham rotation also features a resurgent Alex Torres and a reworked Alex Colome.) (R.J. Anderson)
2013-04-16 20:00:00 (link to chat)How would you value Kimbrel in keeper league? to be specific, would you rather have Kimbrel($3) or Chris Archer($1) + Zach Wheeler($1) + N Castellano ($1)?
(jimcal from Seattle)		He's valuable, but he's also still just a closer. I like the thought of packaging him for value elsewhere, and those are three very good prospects. I'd do that. (Bret Sayre)
2013-04-16 20:00:00 (link to chat)Just offered Chris Archer and Nolan Arenado for Cingrani in a keeper league where I am rebuilding from scratch. Thoughts?
(Joe from Seattle)		Leave the chat right now and hit accept. I give you permission to go. (Bret Sayre)
2013-04-03 14:00:00 (link to chat)Chris Archer or Trevor Bauer for this season? (long term?)
(rsambrook from Vancouver)		Gosh, I guess I take Archer because I don't have the stomach to gamble on Bauer. Clearly (it seems to me) Bauer more likely to win a Cy Young, make the HOF, etc. (Sam Miller)
2013-03-12 13:00:00 (link to chat)Dynasty league trade, my lineup: Arencibia, Frazier(1b), Espinosa(2b), Miggy(3b), Rutledge(SS), Cuddyer(OF), Melky(OF), Marte(OF), De Aza(OF), Moustakas(DH), Samardzija(SP), Lester(SP), Morrow(SP), Volquez(SP), Bauer(SP). I am looking to acquire a #1SP and this trade has been proposed to me: Felix Hernandez, Wil Myers and Billy Hamilton. Should I stand pat??? I also have Profar, Olt, Taveras and Zunino along with Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman, Chris Archer and Kyle Zimmer waiting on the bench. Pull the trigger....I an torn.
(MerleDixon from Fantasy prison)		So you give those two for Felix? It's completely fair and fits your desires for a #1. Try to give one of the SP prospects instead of Hamilton, but if s/he says no, then I'd do the proposed deal. (Paul Sporer)
2013-01-09 13:00:00 (link to chat)Outside of sifting through rumors, it seems that Rays fans are split between Chris Archer and Alex Cobb. Alex Cobb has consistency, a higher "floor" and MLB track-record. Archer, on the other hand, has a higher ceiling, better "stuff" but is inconsistent throughout majority of career. Archer made improvements to his command and has improved his change-up enough to where it's an avg pitch and not irrelevant anymore. If you had to decide between the 2, who would you choose?
(jlarsen from waukegan)		Nice "problem" to have for the Rays, eh? Why make a decision before you have to in my opinion. They are both going to contribute to the Rays in 2013, and they'll need both to climb back into the postseason. Plus, different answers for short term and long term. (Dan Evans)
2012-12-13 13:00:00 (link to chat)Chris Archer a top 100 guy in your opinion?
(JJ from Tampa)		Easily. Top 50 guy for me. (Jason Parks)
2012-12-04 14:00:00 (link to chat)Early predictions: which Starting Pitchers do you feel make for some good fantasy sleepers next year? Thanks for the chat.
(Paul from St. Louis)		You're welcome, Paul; thank you for stopping by. I'll toss a few names out there off the top of my head: Chris Archer (if he lands a spot in the Rays rotation), Brett Anderson, Mike Minor, and Homer Bailey. (Daniel Rathman)
2012-10-18 13:00:00 (link to chat)Hello, old friend! James Shields, Jeff Niemann, Alex Torres, Cesar Ramos, Alex Cobb, Wade Davis or Chris Archer all likely not going to remain with the team past Winter Meetings, let alone Spring Training. How do the Rays better their roster, knowing there's a huge logjam of pitching and there's room for improvement offensively. James Shields kicked it up a notch after the deadline, but can the Rays withstand another horrible 1st half from him again?
(jlarsen from chicago)		I don't think Archer is going anywhere. Part of his problem was philosophical-he pitched off his slider more than he should. He seemed to solve those after getting a taste in the big leagues and realizing his fastball plays against the big boys. Otherwise, he doesn't fit the profile of someone they'd part with at this juncture in his career.

I do see Tampa Bay trading pitching. If you want a name I'd say Nick Hundley. San Diego has enough catching, in the majors and in the minors, to move him for value. He'd fit nicely on Tampa Bay's roster. I don't have a good feel for what the market at first base or DH will be like (if they don't bring back Luke Scott). Logan Morrison's name might pop up if Miami is tired of him. (R.J. Anderson)
2012-10-18 13:00:00 (link to chat)Favorite prospects?
(Lil' Sebastian from The Barn)		The last time I answered a variation of this question I believe I said Kolten Wong and Chris Archer. I'd still say those two are tops. (R.J. Anderson)
2010-10-25 13:00:00 (link to chat)Do you like Cashner as a starter or a power reliever? I think his talent would be wasted caddying for Marmol , indefinitely.
(Matt from Chicago)		I'd leave him in the relief role for now, while keeping an eye towards whether or not a mid-season or deadline deal opens up a slot in the rotation. But even then, Chris Archer and The Other Chris Carpenter aren't that far off from arriving. The Cubs don't just have a stack of outfielders to sort through, their pitching situation is also very crowded. (Christina Kahrl)
2010-07-01 14:00:00 (link to chat)What do you think of both Cub arms Trey McNutt and Chris Archer? Ceilings?
(Sean from Boston)		Huge, HUGE McNutt fan. I saw him twice before the promotion and he was up to 96 (some have had him higher than that) with a really good slider. The control comes and goes, but that's one helluva arm. Great find for the Cubs there. (Kevin Goldstein)


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PITCHf/x Pitcher Profile

A Collaboration between BrooksBaseball.net and Baseball Prospectus - Pitch classifications provided by Pitch Info LLC


Although he has not thrown an MLB pitch in 2024, Chris Archer threw 22,726 pitches that were tracked by the PITCHf/x system between 2012 and 2022, all of them occuring in Spring Training. In 2022, he relied primarily on his Slider (89mph) and Fourseam Fastball (93mph), also mixing in a Change (87mph) and Curve (82mph). He also rarely threw a Sinker (93mph).