A-level LIMA grades in 2026: low xERA; high K%-BB%
Feb 22 2026
Ron Shandler's “Low Investment Mound Aces” strategy dates back to when Jose Lima was a pitcher who fit the bill: inflated actual ERA when a far better skill set determined by strikeout rate, walk rate, home run rate and WHIP numbers. Typically, when a pitcher posts actual numbers that are worse than these skill indicators would suggest, their price is depressed the following year, but the expectation should be that the pitcher will bounce back to post numbers in line with those skill indicators. This gives you a discount advantage at auctions or drafts because of different relative expectations.
This column gives you the LIMA A+ and LIMA A graded relievers with xERAs better than 3.75 and K-BB% at or better than 17%. There is not a...
Almost!
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