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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 114  0 |
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Positives/Upside:
The King will chip in elite totals in strikeouts, ERA, WHIP and wins. There are very few pitchers who deliver the fantasy impact of Felix Hernandez. 20-0-2.70-1.15-210 in 235 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Conditioning. Hernandez looks like he's on some sort of Mo Vaughn/David Wells diet. It didn't affect his performance last year, but it's always a concern. 15-0-3.10-1.25-190 in 210 IP |
Analysis:
Hernandez had a dominant 2009. If it weren't for the God-like efforts of Zack Greinke, he would have been a unanimous choice for the Cy Young. The scary part? He's only 23, and the best is yet to come. Place 'The King' at the top of your AL draft boards -- yes, even ahead of Greinke. 18-0-2.90-1.20-200 in 220 IP
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| Recommended Draft Position: 24 |
Recommendation: Go the extra dollar |
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34 |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 167 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Greinke may not reach the levels of a 2.16 ERA again, but even a slight drop off will still have him among the league's best fantasy pitchers. 18-0-2.60-1.10-240 in 230 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
His biggest negative is what he did last season. He's currently going for too much in drafts, leaving comparable pitchers to be taken at a better value. 13-0-3.30-1.30-200 in 200 IP |
Analysis:
Greinke has come a long way in his 6 seasons, from being a 21 year old rookie in 2004 with a 3.97 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, to a horrible sophomore campaign which saw him post a 5-17 record, 5.80 ERA and 1.56 WHIP, to almost being completely out of baseball in '06 with personal issues, and then coming back to pitch two very good seasons in 2007 and in 2008 when he went 13-10 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 183 K in 202 IP. Then he put it all together for one of the best fantasy seasons in recent memory, winning the CY Young in the process. Because of this, Greinke will be way over-valued, as you'll be paying for last season's numbers that he may have trouble replicating. He'll be fine as your fantasy ace, but there's better value to be had. 15-0-3.00-1.20-225 in 220 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 27 |
Recommendation: Only at a discount |
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33 |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 128 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
CC's first year with the Yanks would have to qualify as a success. After all, he won 19 games and was amongst the AL leaders in ERA, strikeouts, and WHIP. Pitching for the World Champs guarantees close to twenty wins again, and 200 strikeouts is well within reach for CC. 20-0-3.10-1.10-210 in 235 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
The move from the NL to AL caused CC's numbers to go from ridiculous in 2008 to just really good in 2009. He saw his ERA and WHIP rise and his strikeout total dip in 2009. Expect numbers more like his 2009 totals than his incredible 2008. Pitching in the AL is just that much more difficult than pitching in the NL. 15-0-3.50-1.20-180 in 200 IP |
Analysis:
CC still qualifies as a fantasy ace and is about as reliable as they come. As long as you don't go wild and chase the numbers he put up with the Brewers, CC will make you happy in 2010. 20-0-3.35-1.15-205 in 235 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 33 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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32 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 116 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Verlander will provide an elite source of strikeouts. His durability allows him to go deep into games, which gives him more opportunities to mow opponents down. His ERA and WHIP will be slightly above average, but it's unlikely he'll finish among the league leaders. 18-0-3.50-1.15-230 in 240 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Verlander is a true fireballer, but, on a Tigers team that looks like it will take a step back in 2010, it is unlikely that he will make a huge impact in anything outside of strikeouts. Not what you want from a fantasy ace. 13-0-3.90-1.30-190 in 200 IP |
Analysis:
Verlander was on top of his game in 2009, going 19-9 with a league-high 269 strikeouts. He will be drafted as a fantasy ace, but won't give you the overall numbers of one. Look for better value a few rounds later (e.g. Adam Wainwright or Cliff Lee). 15-0-3.70-1.20-220 in 220 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 45 |
Recommendation: Only at a discount |
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29 |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 93 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
He's young, already has two great seasons, pitches for one of the best teams in baseball, and collects strikeouts like Tiger collects mistresses. What's not to like? Lester is becoming one baseball's elite starting pitchers. 18-0-3.25-1.18-230 in 220 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Pitching in the AL East is never a walk on the beach, even if you don't have to pitch against the Red Sox. This fact will prevent him from being able to post an ERA in the low 3.00s. Somewhere between 3.25 and 3.50 is more appropriate. 15-0-3.50-1.25-200 in 190 IP |
Analysis:
Lester has passed teammate Josh Beckett as the Red Sox's ace, and has established himself as a fantasy ace as well. He's just 26, and has a lot of great years ahead of him. Pitching in Boston will provide the run support needed to win plenty of games. 18-0-3.30-1.20-220 in 210 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 60 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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27 |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 123 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Lee will end the year among the league leaders in WHIP and ERA, which gives you opportunity to chase Wins and K elsewhere. The ratios are much harder to find on the waiver wire, and Lee is a specialist. 18-0-3.20-1.18-180 in 230 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
He's getting older, and pitching at Safeco will entice Lee to pitch to contact, which could lead to a decline in strikeouts. 15-0-3.50-1.30-150 in 200 IP |
Analysis:
Pitching at Safeco, with baseball's best defense behind him, will increase Lee's already sterling numbers. The only chink in his armor is that his K/9 rate (7.04), although nothing to sneeze at, is nowhere near his dominance in WHIP and ERA. Lee will produce number one value, at a second tier price. 18-0-3.30-1.20-170 in 220 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 67 |
Recommendation: Go the extra dollar |
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26 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 105 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Over the past 4 season, Papelbon has saved 151 games, posted an ERA under 2.00, and a WHIP under 1.00. With the Red Sox set to be one of the game's best teams once again, there is no reason why Paps can't approach 40 saves in 2010. 3-40-1.90-1.00-75 in 70 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Papelbon posted the highest WHIP of his career last season (1.15) and saw a slight drop in his saves total as well. That's all I've got for negatives. 3-35-2.20-1.10-70 in 65 IP |
Analysis:
Some will debate which of Papelbon or Mariano Rivera is the better option, but the truth is, you can't go wrong with either guy. It's like having to choose between dating a hot blonde or hot brunette. The only real difference is that the younger Papelbon doesn't carry to risk of physical breakdown that the 40-year old Rivera does, but Rivera carries to potential to save more games. 3-38-2.10-1.05-75 in 70 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 77 |
Recommendation: Go the extra dollar |
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25 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 117 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Let's see... he pitches for the defending world champions, is coming off of a 44 save season, and is perhaps the greatest closer of all time. Plus, I'm pretty sure he is a robot. 5-43-1.90-0.90-75 in 65 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
He turned 40 this off-season, and eventually every player's skills start to deteriorate, even those you are convinced are actually robots. Could this be the season that Mo proves to be human? 3-33-2.50-1.05-55 in 50 IP |
Analysis:
When it comes down to it, Rivera is still amongst the best, if not the best closer in the game. Yes, he is getting up there in age, but he has shown no indication of breaking down whatsoever. Rivera is just as reliable as ever. 3-40-2.10-0.95-70 in 65 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 76 |
Recommendation: Go the extra dollar |
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25 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 110 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Beckett bucked the trend of having a good season every other year in 2009 when he posted numbers similar to his 2008 totals. He has developed into a reliable contributor across the board and has the upside to outproduce his draft position/auction price. 18-0-3.50-1.15-210 in 225 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Beckett is prone to having down seasons. While he will help you in all categories, he will not post an elite level ERA. Beckett has incredible stuff but can be an enigma at times. 15-0-3.90-1.25-185 in 200 IP |
Analysis:
Beckett is no longer the Red Sox' ace and qualifies as a borderline fantasy ace as well. He is a reliable source of wins and strikeouts, and low walk totals keep his WHIP low. His ERA will be good but not spectacular. I'd much rather target someone like Beckett coming off of a solid season than some of the other starters with similarly perceived value, like Javy Vazquez. 18-0-3.70-1.20-200 in 215 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 81 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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24 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 117 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
In 2009 with the Braves, 15-0-2.88-1.03-238. Enough said. 18-0-4.05-1.25-200 in 220 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
In 2004 with the Yanks, 14-0-4.91-1.29-150. Pitching in the AL and in the pressure of the Bronx makes all the difference. Enough said. 13-0-4.55-1.35-180 in 200 IP |
Analysis:
Place your hands behind your head, and step away from the Javy Vazquez. Vazquez has absolutely no chance of reproducing his 2009 success back with the Yankees in the AL in 2010. I don't expect him to be as bad as he was in 2004 with the Yankees, but he be a whole lot better either. Let someone else make the poor investment. 15-0-4.35-1.30-195 in 215 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 80 |
Recommendation: Avoid |
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24 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 105 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Soria will get you the saves you desire and even rack up an impressive strikeout total. 3-38-1.90-0.95-80 in 70 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Soria hit the DL last year and could be a repeat offender. Also, playing for the Royals will limit his save chances. 3-28-2.40-1.15-65 in 55 IP |
Analysis:
Soria should end up as a top-10 closer by year's end, but be careful spending too much for him. Playing for the Royals will offer less save opportunities than your average closer. 3-33-2.10-1.05-75 in 65 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 100 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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22 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 131 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Lackey has put together back-to-back solid seasons, and has really settled into the category of good-but-not-great starter. He'll get plenty of run support in Boston, which will help him win games, and he's a virtual lock to post a sub-4.00 ERA. 15-0-3.65-1.23-160 in 200 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Lackey's 2008 and 2009 numbers are nearly identical, but they signal a drop from his numbers the previous three seasons. He has taken a step back the past couple years, and although he is still a solid option, another regression is a possibility. Lackey never developed into the ace many thought he'd be. 13-0-3.85-1.28-140 in 175 IP |
Analysis:
John Lackey is one of those rare guys who makes an off-season move from one contender to another. Pitching in the AL East may be a little more brutal than the AL West, but not as much as you may think, thanks to the Orioles and Jays. I think Lackey improves his numbers some in 2010 and wins a few more games. 15-0-3.75-1.25-150 in 190 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 104 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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22 |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 112 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
When Burnett is on, he is one of the most dominant pitchers in the game. If he can keep it all together over the course of an entire season, he has the potential to be an elite option, especially pitching in the Bronx where wins will be aplenty. 18-0-3.90-1.30-200 in 210 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
When Burnett is off, he can be downright awful. He is too inconsistent to be relied on as anything more than a number two fantasy starter and has an extensive injury history. Yes, he has stayed healthy the past two seasons, but it seems like it is only a matter of time before injury strikes again. 13-0-4.20-1.38-155 in 170 IP |
Analysis:
When you take a step back and just look at Burnett's 2009 numbers, you'll see that they really weren't anything overly exciting, 13-4.04-0-195-1.40. He is far too inconsistent to post elite numbers, and even when he is dominant, he walks too many batters. I don't think his 2010 numbers are much better than his 2009 stats. 15-0-4.00-1.35-190 in 205 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 112 |
Recommendation: Only at a discount |
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21 |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 84 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Bailey is fairly intriguing, because although the A's curtailed his innings as the season wore along, he was getting more than an inning a turn after he turned closer early in the season. As a result, the 91 strikeouts he posted don't look like a product of longer set-up appearances. Leading credence to believe his control was real, Bailey only walked two batters in 22 appearances from August on. If the improvement in control is real, and the A's continue to give him this much work (almost a necessity with the starting rotation currently on tap), Bailey looks like a poor man's Johnathan Broxton. 5-35-2.75-1.00-90 in 80 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
All that it would take for Bailey to become irrelevant would be for him to return to walking four a game as he did throughout his minor league career and giving up a normal number of home runs on his excessive fly ball rate. Worse, if Joey Devine is healthy and effective (he of the 0.59/0.83 in 2008) during a Bailey cold stretch, Bailey could lose the job altogether. 5-20-3.50-1.30-75 in 65 IP |
Analysis:
The A's started 2009 with two leading candidates to be their closer (Joey Devine and Brad Ziegler) and ended up with a third, Bailey, saving 26 games. Bailey, who was mainly a starter at Wagner College and then through the lower minors, was converted into a reliever during the 2008 season at double-A Midland, where he enjoyed only mixed success. He rode into the Arizona Fall League where he was, in an admittedly small sample, lights out, earning himself a ticket to the majors and eventually the plum bullpen role.
He was so good that neither Ziegler (terrific in '08 but not generally thought of as more than a fill-in closer) and Devine (who was also good in 2008 and had been groomed as the closer) are talked about as this season's closer despite pro forma "competition is open" kinds of talk.
There are some reason to be nervous about his repeating the 1.84/0.88 line of 2009. He walked only 2.59 per inning, which was by far his lowest mark (only equaled in his junior year of college), and he had a stingy 5.6 HR/FB mark. A more normal HR/FB rate is 10% and Bailey is a fly ball type pitcher, so a change there could hurt. Even so, pitchers often have better control when converted to relief, as they use a smaller collection of their pitches, and HR/FB rates are notorious for not regressing on a season-by-season basis. It's a pretty mild cautionary.
The prime question for Bailey seems to be whether the A's will deliver save opportunities to the ninth inning. Given the composition of their rotation (not a good sign when you sign Jason Jennings and Brett Tomko on the same day) there looks to be plenty of bullpen work, but saves?
We like Bailey. 5-30-3.00-1.15-75 in 70 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 117 |
Recommendation: Go the extra dollar |
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20 |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 119 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Job security. The Tigers made the move to get Valverde because their bullpen is pretty dreadful. Valverde should be in line for 35-45 save chances while helping your ratios and strikeout numbers. 3-40-2.50-1.10-70 in 65 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Playing on the Tigers. Because of their brutal bullpen Valverde could see fewer save opportunities than he's accustom to. Detroit's leads may not make it to him in the 9th inning. 3-30-3.10-1.20-65 in 55 IP |
Analysis:
Jose Valverde takes over the closer job for the Tigers this season after Fernando Rodney left via free agency. Look for Valverde to rack up a good number of saves for the Tigers. He should be able to post above average ratios, while striking out around a batter per inning. 3-35-2.90-1.15-65 in 60 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 118 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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20 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 102 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Saves. The Angels plays a lot of close games, which gives Fuentes ample opportunity to pile them up. 3-45-3.10-1.20-55 in 60 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
His ERA & WHIP are borderline embarrassing for a closer, and with his heavy volume of innings, they'll actually hurt your overall totals. And he could lose his job. 3-25-4.00-1.40-45 in 60 IP |
Analysis:
Fuentes did lead the league in saves with 48, but his ERA and WHIP got out of control. I don’t expect the Angles to be nearly as good as last year with their loss of talent plus the improvement of the division's other teams, so look for his opportunities to diminish. The signing of Fernando Rodney would lead me to believe that Fuentes may not have the long leash that he had in 2009. 3-35-3.60-1.30-50 in 60 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 136 |
Recommendation: Avoid |
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19 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 101 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Weaver has a nose for wins -- he's been in double digits for all of his four major league seasons. He'll produce a quality number of strikeouts, but nothing that will both you away. If your league counts complete games, upgrade Weaver a bit. 18-0-3.60-1.25-175 in 210 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Consistency continues to plague Weaver, causing his ERA to perennially inflated. 13-0-4.00-1.35-165 in 190 IP |
Analysis:
Jered Weaver is inconsistent. If you could find a way to weed out his terrible starts, he'd be rather legendary. But as it is, he's just resigned to being a pitcher that wins you some weeks and loses you others. He's currently going around the same time as Brandon Webb and Wandy Rodriguez -- both better options. 15-0-3.80-1.30-170 in 200 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 126 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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19 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 105 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Soriano flashed some dominant stuff in 2009, saving 27 games in 31 chances for Atlanta, while holding opposing batters to a BA of .194. His trade to Tampa Bay and subsequent $7.25 million contract guarantees him a stranglehold on the closer job for at least the foreseeable future. The Rays typically generate plenty of closing chances, as their relievers combined for 63 save opportunities in '09. Soriano could be the missing piece in a bullpen that blew an unacceptable 22 save chances in 2009, and his wicked stuff could produce some very strong numbers in '10.
5-35-2.65-1.10-95 in 80 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Soriano has battled shoulder and elbow problems his entire career and missed a big chunk of the 2008 season due to an elbow problem that eventually required surgery. While he has been very effective when healthy, his inability to consistently stay on the field should make a potential fantasy owner very leery indeed. 3-15-3.40-1.20-45 in 55 IP. |
Analysis:
Two words are the key with Soriano: "If healthy." There is no doubting his closer's stuff, and he should rack up plenty of saves as the Rays' ninth-inning man -- as long as he can stay on the field. While it wouldn't surprise us to see Soriano spend some time on the DL, we're willing to bet that he remains healthy enough to be a useful fantasy reliever this year. 5-30-2.85-1.15-80 in 65 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 135 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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19 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 85 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
If Aardsma can keep his 2009 momentum going into this year, he'll be an excellent source of saves, strikeouts, ERA and WHIP. 3-38-3.10-1.20-80 in 70 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
2009 could have been a mirage and Aardsma falls back to earth this season. 3-20-3.90-1.50-60 in 50 IP |
Analysis:
Aardsma is currently the 15th closer coming off the board despite his highly successful 2009 campaign. I’m a huge proponent of waiting for closers in the middle-to-late rounds, and Aardsma is a guy who can be had for cheap and produce like a #1 closer. 3-33-3.30-1.30-70 in 60 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 135 |
Recommendation: Go the extra dollar |
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19 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 102 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
A rocky second half inflated Shields' 2009 numbers, but over the past two and a half seasons he had been one of baseball's more consistent starting pitchers. A jump in his BABIP may have been the culprit for his second-half swoon, but it's worth noting that he still posted a very respectable walk rate and K/BB ratio. that crummy second half will lower Shields' draft day price, and he's definitely a bargain worth grabbing. 15-0-3.85-1.20-170 in 215 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
That second-half nosedive might have been a run of bad luck, or perhaps the league was catching up to Shields. He relies heavily on a great change-up as his out pitch, and if a hitter guesses right -- and he doesn't spot it well -- bad things happen. 11-0-4.35-1.30-145 in 195 IP |
Analysis:
Shields didn't post those two fine seasons in '07 and '08 by accident -- and his 3.42 ERA in the first half of '09 was no mirage, either. He's not fooling as many hitters as he used to: his BAA has climbed each of the past two seasons. Still, Shields is a quality major league pitcher, and he is well worth grabbing after a dozen rounds or so have gone by the boards. 13-0-4.00-1.25-160 in 210 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 149 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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18 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 137 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Baker's a command guy who also gets strikeouts, making him an attractive fantasy option. He should be able to provide an excellent WHIP once again, similar to last year's 1.19 mark. An improved Twins offense will help him maintain strong win totals, and he may benefit from moving to Target Field, where cool temperatures in the beginning and end other season could adversely affect offense. |
Negatives/Downside:
Limiting home runs is a challenge for Baker, and his HR/9 rate has increased modestly over the last three seasons. If he can't improve on this, his ERA will end up over 4.00 again, rather than returning to its 2008 level of 3.45. Opposing hitters' BABIP against Baker was down a bit in 2009, another cause for concern with respect to Baker's ERA. |
Analysis:
Last season, Baker enjoyed some buzz heading into fantasy drafts as some projected a breakout on the heels of an impressive 2008. Even if it's more likely he posts an ERA over, rather than under, 4.00 this year, Baker is an asset as a starting pitcher who will make positive contributions in wins, strikeouts, and WHIP. 14-0-4.20-1.18-160 in 200 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 142 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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18 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 131 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Garza pitched in some tough luck last season, garnering only eight wins despite a decent 3.95 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 203 innings of work. His strikeout rate increased significantly over 2008, and his .233 BAA should tell you all you need to know about this up-and-comer's wicked stuff. 14-0-3.60-1.22-185 in 210 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Garza still has problems away from Tropicana Field, as his ERA ballooned to 4.85 on the road last season. His walk rate jumped dramatically last year, and until he gains better command he won't be thought of as a budding fantasy ace. 10-0-4.20-1.29-165 in 190 IP |
Analysis:
Garza possesses ace-quality stuff, and if he learns to spot it well, he could be a fearsome fantasy force. There is still upside here, and Garza certainly has the potential to post breakout numbers in 2010. An improved Rays bullpen and better run support should get him back into double-digit win territory. 12-0-3.85-1.25-175 in 200 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 141 |
Recommendation: Go the extra dollar |
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18 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 62 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
One of the best young left handers in the game. Can strike out people yet has wonderful control. Can work out of trouble by inducing ground balls. Big, durable left-handed...what's not to like? 16-0-3.3-1.10-190. 200IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Not too many negatives here. Sophomore jinx? A's poor offense? 11-0-4.00-1.30-170. 185IP |
Analysis:
Coming into 2009 The A's were looking at one or two of their most prized prospects being inserted into their rotation directly out of double-A ball. Of those two, most people felt that the better bet to win the job and to succeed was the radar-gun friendly Trevor Cahill, a solid righty with solid double-digit strikeout rates the previous season (a slight fall off on promotion to double-A). At the end of the day, the more control-oriented lefty also won a job and performed so well as to make him one of the more intriguing middle tier pitchers coming into 2010.
Anderson got off to a rough start, partially schedule with perhaps a higher dosage than directed of Red Sox and Yankees for the then 21 year old with all of 31 innings over single-A ball. As Anderson owners will tell you, he got better...a lot better. After striking out 27 over 47+ innings in April and May, Anderson then struck out 123 over the remaining 128.
Anderson's career path looks very bright. 13-0-3.50-1.20-180. 190IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 150 |
Recommendation: Go the extra dollar |
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18 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 107 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
The most encouraging aspect of Jenks' 2009 campaign was that he once again showed he could strike batters out. In 2008, his SO/9 rate had plummeted to 5.5 SO/9, but last year he finished with a solid 8.3 SO/9, to some extent allaying fears that his stuff had fallen off. Jenks has reportedly lost 25 pounds during the offseason, and while it's hard to quantify whether this will have a noticeable impact on his performance, it suggests a maturity that may prove helpful in turning the page on last year. |
Negatives/Downside:
Last season was a bit of a mess for Jenks. His HR/9 rate spiked, increasing from 0.4 in 2008 to 1.5, and he became more hittable, allowing nearly a hit per inning. These numbers fueled a rise in ERA and WHIP, contributing to 6 BS and a career-low 83% save percentage. Often, relievers have a short shelf-life, and given Jenks' decreasing effectiveness, there is reason to worry he may no longer be a strong Cl option. |
Analysis:
Despite the down year, Jenks is primed to be a pretty good value pick. The high ERA may scare some away, but he should still at least be effective enough to hang onto the closer role and accumulate saves and solid strikeout numbers. Plus, most of his problems came during a disastrous August in which his ERA for the month was 8.59, but he finished well, giving him a good chance to post numbers closer to his pre-2009 norms. 3-34-3.40-1.26-50 in 58 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 154 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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$ |
17 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 77 0 |
|
Positives/Upside:
John Danks is nobody's idea of an ace, but he's productive enough to be a solid mid-rotation piece. He'll produce okay strikeout numbers - over his three-year career he's been in the 6.0-7.0 K/9 range - to go with a solid ERA, and double-digit wins. Plus, he'll still be only 24 on Opening Day, meaning there is perhaps some development left in him. |
Negatives/Downside:
After cutting down his HR/9 in 2008, it jumped in 2009 to 1.3 HR/9, while his BB/9 and SO/9 each went the wrong way as well. Additionally, it appears Danks benefited from some good fortune, evidenced by batters posting only a .269 BABIP against him. It's a good bet Danks' numbers will worsen. |
Analysis:
It might be tempting for some to look at Danks' age, wins, and ERA and expect some improvement in 2010. However, fantasy players shouldn't expect Danks to be more than a back-end SP option this season. Look for his ERA to head north of 4.00, to go along with modest numbers in other categories. This doesn't make him a bad pitcher, depending on your league's depth, but don't draft him with outlandish expectations. 12-0-4.40-1.28-140 in 185 IP. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 162 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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$ |
17 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 127 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
The world saw what David Price is capable of in the 2008 ALCS, as he mowed down the Red Sox time and again in the pressure cooker atmosphere of the playoffs. He started slowly last season, then turned things around nicely in the second half -- posting a 7-4 record, 4.27 ERA and 1.20 WHIP after the Break. His very respectable .241 BAA should tell you that the stuff is there, all that's lacking is command. 14-0-3.95-1.23-155 in 170 IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Price's ratios came down in the second half, all right -- along with his strikeout rate. He never really seemed to find the electric stuff that so baffled the Bosox, and one is left wondering if the hype exceeded the ability. Just sayin'. 10-0-4.45-1.30-115 in 140 IP |
Analysis:
We like the big lefty's upside, and the fact that he'll be available at a bargain, ahem, price makes things all the better. There's nothing like a post-hype sleeper, and Price could reward his Fantasy owners handsomely in 2010. 12-0-4.10-1.25-140 in 160 IP. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 164 |
Recommendation: Go the extra dollar |
|
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$ |
17 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 97 0 |
|
Positives/Upside:
At the top of his game, Kazmir can deliver a top notch ERA and K/9 rate. As an Angel, Kazmir was able to turn his season around, posting a stellar 1.73 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in six starts. |
Negatives/Downside:
His downside was whatever was going on with him in Tampa last year. He lost command of his fastball and saw his ratios explode. |
Analysis:
Something bad happened to Scott Kazmir. Once hailed as a burgeoning ace, Tampa basically gave Kazmir away at the deadline last year. Maybe he's been cursed. He's going pretty late and is a good value for his potential upside. His walks will always keep his WHIP up, but a high strikeout rate should keep him on fantasy radars. He may not be as washed up as people think. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 163 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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$ |
16 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 84 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
The previous time Dotel has been asked to assume the closing roles they were in high pressure situations in New York and the then contending Oakland A's teams. In Pittsburgh there will be very little pressure and probably no competition. Dotel struckout nearly 11 per nine IP in 2009 and seems like a good bet to accumulate some saves even if he is not a top notch ERA guy. 4-30-3.50-1.20-85. 70IP |
Negatives/Downside:
Dotel has not posted an ERA below 3 on the major league level since 2003. He's 36. He walked over five a game last season. He's AVERAGED 9.5 home runs over the past two seasons. He's failed each time he's been asked to close and it's the bleeding PIRATES fer crying out loud. Isn't Bob Wickman still out there somewhere? 6-15-4.50-1.50-65. 50IP |
Analysis:
Many moons ago Octavio Dotel was the annointed closer in waiting for the Mets, the Astros, then the Athletics and it just never really happened, his one real shot being in 2004 with decidedly mixed results, blown saves and a general consensus that closing was not for him. Now Dotel is 36 and will get the chance once more.
The question is whether he will succeed.
A prime quality for a closer is his ability to strike people out. A strikeout generally means an inherited runner doesn't score - at least on that play. Dotel does this in spades with a career strikeout rate of nearly 11. But it's about the only thing on his resume that resembles closer material. He's an extreme flyball pitcher so that even though his HR/FB isn't out of the ordinary most seasons, he has so many more flyballs that the number of home runs he allows is simply unacceptable. For reference Mariano Rivera's career HR rate is .5 per nine IP, Joe Nathan .83 - Dotel puts out a neat little 1.16. This on top of his 5.20 BB per nine and you have a formula for disaster.
You can't assume that a closer for a bad team will not get saves, Chad Cordero's good year for the Nationals and Joakim Soria's 2008 season for the hapless Royals jump to mind, but it certainly does not help the odds. 6-20-3.50-1.40-75. 60IP
|
| Recommended Draft Position: 179 |
Recommendation: Avoid |
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$ |
15 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 85 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
Wood only gave up three home runs as the Cubs closer in 2008, so the seven homes runs looks like an outlier.Wood is an extremely efficient strikeout guy and doesn't have terrible control. Because of his contract he's likely to be stuck in his role for better or worse unless he is pitching so well another team will take his contract in which case he'll be valuable to you in other ways. 5-35-3.50-1.20-80. 70IP |
Negatives/Downside:
He repeats last season. Or the Tribe finds a Silva or Bradley matching contract and Wood goes off to some unpleasant role in another town. 2-15-4.50-1.40-65. 50IP |
Analysis:
During the winter meetings the Cleveland Indians management admitted that perhaps 10.5 million dollars was more than a non-contending club ought to be paying for a closer. That's true even if Kerry Wood hadn't blown 23% of his save chances (six of 26). As the Tribe found out at the meetings, it's not just a non-optimal use of team capital, but it's 10.5 million reasons why Wood has security as the tribe close and perhaps 11 million more if the vesting option for 2011 is reached.
None of which to say that Kerry Wood isn't qualified to close or won't succeed in the role. 2009 was not a career highlight, seven homes runs over 55+ innings is one to bump up your blown saves total. Totaling only 55 innings instead of a more normal 70 or 80 for a typical closer turned out to be something of a blessing because his 4.25/1.38 numbers were hardly positive. But Wood is better than this and we should expect him to be moderately effective. At the price you will be paying (as opposed to the price the Indians are paying) you aren't expecting Rivera or Broxton numbers anyway.
If Kerry had a different contract we'd all be suggesting that Chris Perez would become the closer sooner rather than later with Wood moving on, but that's unlikely to happen unless Wood is pitching well enough for someone to pay (Cleveland is not thought to have the funds to assume part of their obligations to send him away). 5-25-4.00-1.30-75. 65IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 202 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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$ |
14 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 79 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
With two full seasons under his belt, Floyd has shown he's capable of being a reliable fantasy starter. With his underlying numbers trending in the right direction - his home run and walk rates dropped while his strikeout rate and groundball % rose - he should at least be able to muster another season as a back-end rotation option in mixed leagues, and if he has another uptick of growth left in him, he could be a bit more. |
Negatives/Downside:
As a pitcher who is fairly hittable and prone to walks at times, many have anticipated a fall-off in production. Thus, the possibility exists that if the strikeout rate increase isn't real, or if the 3% jump in LD% is the beginning of a trend, there could be some regression. |
Analysis:
He's not flashy, but Floyd should again be a solid guy to have in your rotation mix. His 3.77 FIP is an encouraging sign that he may be able to once again bring his ERA below 4.00. His upside may not be tremendous, but his downside is also not as steep as observers suspected during his surprising 2008 run. 13-0-4.00-1.24-150 in 190 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 205 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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$ |
13 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 60 0 |
|
Positives/Upside:
Buchholz has tremendous upside. He has tremendous stuff, and has shown he can be dominent as evidenced by the no hitter he collected. He enters his first full season as a starter in 2010, but has enough experience in the big leagues to be considered a candidate for a breakout as a third-year starter, which is commonly when young pitchers put it all together. Pitching for a winning team should also help him accumulate wins. |
Negatives/Downside:
Buchholz had an ERA 4.95 last year and a WHIP of 1.49. Those are the numbers of someone you don't want anywhere near your fantasy roster, nevermind someone you want to use a middle round pick on. The potential is there, but Buchholz has not shown enough consistency to make him anything more than a high risk/high reward guy in 2010. |
Analysis:
Buchholz is a classic high risk/high reward guy. If you have a couple of safe starting pitching options on the roster in front of him, he makes for a good gamble. He will be better in 2010, but may still need another year before we start to see how good he can really be. 13-0-160-4.05-1.35 in 185 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 208 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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$ |
13 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 104 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
When healthy, Slowey has shown he is capable of being a premier WHIP producer, but he's not just a finesse guy - he has a career 6.9 K/9 rate and a sterling 4.90 K/BB. Last season, Slowey battled injury and inconsistency, but enters 2010 healthy and primed to pick up where he left off. |
Negatives/Downside:
Indications are that Slowey's recovery may be somewhat complicated. He still has screws in his wrist, which he has noted will take some getting used to. If Slowey doesn't have the superb command he's had in the past, he could be in a lot of trouble since he can't make up for subpar location by overpowering opposing batters. |
Analysis:
Serious red flags surround Slowey entering this season. He's coming off a serious wrist injury, and Slowey has admitted its effects still linger. Combine this with a slim margin for error, and it's hard to get excited about Slowey as some fantasy owners were entering 2009. Unless he falls far enough to balance out his negatives, it's probably best to let someone else take the risk. 8-0-4.60-1.28-100 in 160 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 226 |
Recommendation: Only at a discount |
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$ |
12 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 81 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
He is a reliable vet who pitches for one of the best team's in baseball. Despite being 37, he has stayed healthy for the majority of his storied career. There is no reason to think that Pettitte won't be able to put together another good season pitching in the middle of the Yankees rotation. |
Negatives/Downside:
He completely lacks upside and age will eventually catch up with him. While he had a nice 2009 season in new Yankee Stadium, the hitter's park could be a hindrance on Pettitte's 2010 season. Pettitte may be a good option if you want to be safe after taking some risks on starting pitchers before him, but later in the draft, taking someone with more upside is a smarter play. |
Analysis:
With Pettitte, you know what you're getting. He may miss a start here and there, and lacks the upside of some other options, but he will be very consistent and reliable when he's on the mound. Pettitte is a nice safe pick to sure up your rotation with. 15-0-140-4.20-1.40 in 185 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 228 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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$ |
12 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 114 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
While last summer was a disaster for Liriano, the winter was much better to him as, by all accounts, he looked like he had regained the magic he teased fans with in 2006. Going into 2010, he's the ultimate lottery ticket - huge talent despite his more recent struggles. |
Negatives/Downside:
Liriano's 2009 gives little cause for optimism. He was more hittable, more homer-happy, and displayed poor control. He was bad in the first half, worse in the second. While his winter ball performance was encouraging, it wasn't against consistently major league caliber opponents. We don't have to look far to see precisely what Liriano's downside looks like. |
Analysis:
How comfortable are you with risk? He has the talent to anchor a championship-worthy rotation, or he could be un-rosterable. I'm bullish; sometimes the road back from a major injury can be longer than anticipated. If the opportunity cost isn't exorbitant, Liriano is worth a roll of the dice here. 13-0-3.80-1.30-160 in 175 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 230 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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$ |
11 |
|
$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 63 0 |
|
Positives/Upside:
There is no question that Daisuke has top 25 starting pitcher potential. After his disatourous 2009, he will come cheap, making him a fantastic high reward target in 2010. Most encouraging are his stats from the five starts he made after returning in September, 3-1 with a 2.22 ERA and an opponents batting average of only .237. Those numbers indicate that now that he is healthy he is ready to get back to his old self. |
Negatives/Downside:
He represents a huge injury risk, and is already heading to spring training with a back issue. When he was healthy enough to take the mound last season, he was downright horrendous, posting a 5.79 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP! The risk surrounding Daisuke is just too big. He is better off avoided. |
Analysis:
Matsuzaka will be better in 2010, but that really isn't saying too much. His strong September is encouraging, but expectations need to be tempered. He is an example of a huge risk/huge reward guy, and not a bad pick if you have a reliable group of starting pitchers in front of him. 15-0-160-4.00-1.35 in 180 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 239 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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$ |
10 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 90 0 |
|
Positives/Upside:
Buehrle has made a career out of consistency. He's durable, helping him attain wins, and he typically can be relied on for a solid ERA. Double-digit wins and an ERA under 4.00 aren't bad from a back-end fantasy rotation option. |
Negatives/Downside:
Strikeouts aren't Buehrle's forte, and even moreso after his K/9 rate dropped by more than a strikeout last year. He's generally pretty hittable and can be touched for the long ball - his peripherals make one wary that with just a little bad luck, Buehrle could have an extremely forgettable season. |
Analysis:
Sure, he tossed a no-hitter last year, but Buehrle's a weaker fantasy asset in most leagues. Draft him late to round out your rotation, but don't be seduced into relying on him for more than that. 12-0-4.10-1.28-110 in 200 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 237 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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$ |
10 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 74 0 |
|
Positives/Upside:
Santana can mow them down with the best of them and he should turn in a respectable WHIP and ERA. |
Negatives/Downside:
His injury affected his 2009 performance and may not completely be recovered. If we get another season like that, he won't be worth owning. |
Analysis:
Now a year removed from elbow problems, Ervin Santana may be ready to show us the stuff that made him a 16 game winner in 2008. Even with his bum arm, he was still able to consistently strike batters out and should be heavily monitored for the first month of the season. If Santana can jump out to a hot start, snap him up as quickly as possible, as he just might be back to full strength. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 236 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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$ |
9 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 71 0 |
|
Positives/Upside:
Strikeouts. Scherzer compiled one of the best K/9 totals of any starter in baseball last season (9.19) and should build on that in 2010. |
Negatives/Downside:
Moving to the AL will have him face much tougher line-ups than he saw in the AL West. He has a respectable WHIP, but does walk too many batters, leading to an increased ERA. |
Analysis:
Max Scherzer will take the spot of Edwin Jackson in the rotation. Last season Scherzer had more K's than innings pitched. I never like a pitcher moving from the NL to the AL, but Scherzer is young and still has not hit is potential yet, so look for him to put up similar numbers in the AL. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 145 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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$ |
9 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 60 0 |
|
Positives/Upside:
When he's healthy, Sheets is a force in Ks, WHIP and ERA. |
Negatives/Downside:
Health. There's nary a season where Sheets stays out of the triage unit. |
Analysis:
Ben Sheets is back after his year sabbatical. The former Brewers' ace has spent more tim on the DL than actually in the line-up over his career. so why do we still talk about him? His nasty stuff. Sheets is a true power pitcher and can help you out in most pitching categories. I would recommend drafting Sheets if you can get him 16th round on, which you should be able to. Minimize your risk with Sheets because it's likely that he'll just end up hurting his arm, but, if he can take the mound 25+ times this year, he'll be a top tier starter. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 231 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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$ |
9 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 67 0 |
|
Positives/Upside:
Potential. If he can crack the rotation, Feliz will instantly become an elite source of strikeouts, while giving you good ratios along the way. |
Negatives/Downside:
Youth. We may be expecting too much too quick for the 21-year old. |
Analysis:
We may have only gotten a small sample size of his talents last season, but he made quite an impact. In 31 innings, he posted a 1.74 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, and an astonishing 39 strikeouts. It’s hard to determine how this will play out over an entire season, but it’s a risk you should take. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 240 |
Recommendation: Go the extra dollar |
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$ |
9 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 83 0 |
|
Positives/Upside:
Chamberlain has a world of talent, and is entering his third season as a starter in the majors, a time when many young pitchers bust out. Last year was a step back, but many young starters hit bumps in the road to stardom. The run support the Yankees are a lack to provide will often allow him to pitch with a lead and win a lot of games. The Yankees are living by their statement that Joba will remain a memeber of the rotation. |
Negatives/Downside:
The step backwards he took in 2009 is pretty concerning. He gave up way too many hits and walks. He seems better suited to come out of the pen than to be a starter, and it is likely only a matter of time until the Yanks come to the same conclusion. With Phil Hughes waiting to pounce on Joba's spot in the rotation, and his struggles last season, Chamberlain is simply not someone worth taking a chance on in 2010. |
Analysis:
Joba is definitely talented, but I tend to believe that he is better suited to pitch out of the pen. The Yankees and their fans may be the least patient team in baseball, and if Chamberlain struggles early, expect Hughes to take over his spot in the rotation. While Joba is likely to pitch well should he be relegated to the pen, his value as a set up man would be extremely limited. Joba is someone I will avoid in 2010. 8-0-130-3.60-1.35 in 150 IP |
| Recommended Draft Position: 259 |
Recommendation: Only at a discount |
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$ |
8 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 64 0 |
|
Positives/Upside:
Strikeouts. Harden knows how to mow hitters down. Maybe with some added run support in Texas, he'll get a few more wins. |
Negatives/Downside:
His ERA and WHIP was unusually inflated last season and could spill into 2010. |
Analysis:
The Canadian fireballer has all the gifts of an ace, but his body just can’t keep up with him. Don’t put yourself through the headache of drafting him early, but if you can get him in the 16th round or later, take him and pray he discovered HGH. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 198 |
Recommendation: Only at a discount |
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$ |
8 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 71 0 |
|
Positives/Upside:
If Gregg can win the closer job he'll get somewhere in the line of 30-40 save opportunities, if he can keep the job all year. He'll help out in strikeouts (9.31 K/9 in 2009). |
Negatives/Downside:
There's always the option that Gregg loses the closer competition in spring training, rendering him pretty useless. If he does get the job, you'll have to contend with sub-par ratios all year long. |
Analysis:
Gregg will compete with Jason Frasor and Scott Downs for the closer's role in Toronto to start the year. Gregg has experience closing, but doesn't have the stats to make him a quality fantasy option in 2010. Even if he wins the jobs, it's unlikely that he'll hold it all season long. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 269 |
Recommendation: Avoid |
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$ |
8 |
|
$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 72 0 |
|
Positives/Upside:
WHIP and strikeouts. Despite his frequent DL trips, Francisco has a career K/9 of over 9.5, which should help boost your overall strikeout numbers. |
Negatives/Downside:
Injuries. Every time he gets on a roll, he gets hurt. |
Analysis:
Frank Francisco is a wonderful source of saves, but you’ll have to handcuff him with CJ Wilson because he always seems to hurt. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 193 |
Recommendation: Avoid |
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$ |
7 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 64 0 |
|
Positives/Upside:
He's won double digit games the last two years... thats's a positive. |
Negatives/Downside:
His ERA, WHIP and strikeouts will actually hurt your team. |
Analysis:
Don't let the 16 wins mask the truth -- you want no part of Joe Saunders and his laughably high ERA and WHIP. Massive run support allowed Saunders to excel in 2009, but don't expect history to repeat itself in 2010. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 281 |
Recommendation: Avoid |
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$ |
7 |
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$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 57 0 |
|
Positives/Upside:
Pineiro looked like he had a reversal of fortune in 2009 when he won 15 games. He should be able to turn in a low WHIP and reasonable ERA. |
Negatives/Downside:
His decent ratios aren't enough to compensate for his low K/9. Also, a switch back to the American League, where he hasn't had a winning season since 2003, will likely lead to an increase in those ratios. |
Analysis:
Stay away from Joel Pineiro, as a switch to the American League is not what the doctor ordered. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 279 |
Recommendation: Avoid |
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$ |
7 |
|
$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 59 0 |
|
Positives/Upside:
Apparently he knows how to win games. Feldman finished with 17 wins in 2009. |
Negatives/Downside:
He can hide behind his 17 wins, but his ratios and strikeout totals were well below average. |
Analysis:
Don’t be fooled by Scott Feldman’s 17 wins, he wasn’t that good. He wasn’t bad, but not 17-wins good. There’s the possibility that he can improve on his rookie season, but leave the finding out to someone else |
| Recommended Draft Position: 287 |
Recommendation: Avoid |
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$ |
7 |
|
$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 63 0 |
|
Positives/Upside:
Marcum's ratio's could be Dan Haren-esque if he's healthy. |
Negatives/Downside:
He hasn't pitched in the majors in a year and a half. It's hard to tell what kind of impact that will have on his performance. |
Analysis:
Before undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2008, Marcum was one of fantasy's most underrated pitchers. He'll deliver excellent ratios and around a 7 k/9. He'll go forgotten in most drafts, but savvy drafters should gamble on him, as he could be a huge surprise in 2010. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 297 |
Recommendation: Go the extra dollar |
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$ |
6 |
|
$ |
0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 79 0 |
|
Positives/Upside:
There's a lot to like with Gonzalez heading into 2010. He'll have the job security in Baltimore that he could never find in Atlanta and should get 35-45 save chances for the improved Orioles team. He'll go for a good value and can really help with your ratios and strikeouts (10.9 K/9 in 2009). |
Negatives/Downside:
Moving tot he AL East is never a good thing for any pitcher. Having to play in baseball's best division could crumble all the good will he built up in 2009. |
Analysis:
Mike Gonzalez has been brought in from Atlanta to serve as the closer. Gonzalez was highly effective out of the Braves' bullpen last year, splitting time between the closer and set-up role. He collected 10 SV, while posting a 2.42 ERA in 74.1 IP. He is a huge upgrade for this unit but may experience a tough time transferring from the NL East to the AL East. Expect his ratios to inflate, but he could be a cheap source saves on an improved Orioles team. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 192 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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6 |
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0.0 (0) |
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Fantasy Baseball » Pitchers
Hits: 64 0 |
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Positives/Upside:
If he's healthy, Bedard could be a fantasy ace. He'll deliver strikeouts and great ratios. |
Negatives/Downside:
He's always hurt. |
Analysis:
Bedard is back and just as injured as ever. Unless you can get him at an ultra discount, save yourself the headache. |
| Recommended Draft Position: 299 |
Recommendation: Buy at cost |
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6 |
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0.0 (0) |
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