Panzram
03-15-2006, 10:55 PM
SP Kameron Loe
Texas completely revamped their starting pitching staff this year, and if their young pitchers can just survive 6 innings during each outing, they have a good chance to make some noise in the AL West..
SP Dan Haren, Athletics
Haren rode a bit of a roller coaster during his first full campaign as a starting pitcher, but the end numbers (14 wins, 3.73 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 163 strikeouts) turned out surprisingly solid. Only five other AL hurlers (Johan Santana, Randy Johnson, Barry Zito, Bartolo Colon, Jose Contreras) posted at least 14 wins and 150 strikeouts with a sub-4.00 ERA and sub-1.30 WHIP. That's strong company, and it stresses just how valuable Haren was in fantasy circles. At 25, his best work lies ahead, and Haren's post-All-Star stats (3.29 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) suggest that he could be a top-10 AL fantasy starting pitcher in 2006.
SP Kelvim Escobar, Angels
Because he's done it before, Escobar might not really deserve "sleeper" status, but he's certainly flying under the radar. Last year, Escobar strained his shoulder early in spring training, opened the season on the disabled list due to elbow problems, and eventually underwent surgery to remove bone spurs. He managed only 59.2 innings but was effective, posting a 3.02 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and .207 BAA. Escobar is back to 100 percent this spring and eager to hurl for both Venezuela and the Angels. There's no reason to believe he won't return to and possibly improve on his 2004 stats (11 wins, 3.93 ERA, 1.29 ERA, 191 strikeouts).
SP Daniel Cabrera, Orioles
The erratic Cabrera is already being thrust forward as the hurler most likely to be influenced by restless pitching coach Leo Mazzone. The emotional 24-year-old struck out 157 batters and allowed a mere 144 hits over 161.1 innings last season, but he also walked 87 hitters and posted an uninspiring 4.52 ERA. If Mazzone can infuse some control, confidence and consistency, Cabrera could be this season's Lackey. That's a sizable "if" but don't be shy about reaching down the board a bit for Daniel come draft day.
SP Ervin Santana, Angels
We're still amazed that Santana earned nary a point in last year's Rookie of the Year voting. The 22-year-old made 23 starts for a 95-win club, and he certainly held his own, going 12-8 with a 4.65 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 99 strikeouts. Those aren't exciting fantasy numbers, but given his age and the fact that he'd made a mere three career starts above Double-A prior to the call, we were plenty impressed. It's also notable that he showed improvement as the year went on and managed a 9-4 record, 3.97 ERA, and 1.25 WHIP after the All-Star break. Santana also posted a 3.52 ERA, 407 hits allowed, and 488 strikeouts over his 480 minor league innings, which helps state the case that there's upside here.
SP Scott Baker, Twins
Fantasy owners who know about Baker likely hate him, as he's the guy who could keep Francisco Liriano out of the rotation this spring. The Twins currently feel that Baker is better prepared for the Show, and it's hard to argue with the numbers. The right-hander went 3-3 with a 3.35 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in his 10 appearances (nine starts) last season. Prior to that, the 2003 draft pick posted a 3.05 ERA and 1.06 WHIP during his brief minor league career. Baker doesn't make too many people miss, but most importantly, he also doesn't hurt himself with walks. He projects to fit into the Paul Byrd/Brad Radke mold, which may not be the most exciting but is helpful to fantasy teams nonetheless.
SP Joel Pineiro, Mariners
Fantasy owners were in love with Pineiro back in 2002 and 2003, but he struggled in 2004 and eventually succumbed to a strained elbow. Pineiro then opened the 2005 campaign on the disabled list due to a shoulder issue, but he recovered to make 30 uninspiring starts. Thus, he's nearly two seasons removed from fantasy relevance and likely low on many radars. This spring, Pineiro is feeling healthy and is determined to prove his doubters wrong. The 27-year-old is slated to pitch for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, which the Mariners believe will be the start of Pineiro's return to prominence.
SP Ted Lilly, Blue Jays
Lily spins a similar tale to both Escobar and Pineiro. This left-hander battled shoulder problems last spring and biceps tendonitis in August. When he did pitch, the results were mostly dismal, and Lilly finished with a 5.56 ERA and 1.53 WHIP. Those awful stats came after back-to-back solid campaigns, but fantasy owners likely forgot about 2003 and 2004 due to last year. He showed up healthy this spring (something novel for him), and with Roy Halladay and A.J. Burnett anchoring the rotation, the pressure is off Lilly to be perfect. He just needs to return to his old self, which should equal around 12 wins, 160 strikeouts, a 4.20 ERA, and a 1.35 WHIP.
Texas completely revamped their starting pitching staff this year, and if their young pitchers can just survive 6 innings during each outing, they have a good chance to make some noise in the AL West..
SP Dan Haren, Athletics
Haren rode a bit of a roller coaster during his first full campaign as a starting pitcher, but the end numbers (14 wins, 3.73 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 163 strikeouts) turned out surprisingly solid. Only five other AL hurlers (Johan Santana, Randy Johnson, Barry Zito, Bartolo Colon, Jose Contreras) posted at least 14 wins and 150 strikeouts with a sub-4.00 ERA and sub-1.30 WHIP. That's strong company, and it stresses just how valuable Haren was in fantasy circles. At 25, his best work lies ahead, and Haren's post-All-Star stats (3.29 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) suggest that he could be a top-10 AL fantasy starting pitcher in 2006.
SP Kelvim Escobar, Angels
Because he's done it before, Escobar might not really deserve "sleeper" status, but he's certainly flying under the radar. Last year, Escobar strained his shoulder early in spring training, opened the season on the disabled list due to elbow problems, and eventually underwent surgery to remove bone spurs. He managed only 59.2 innings but was effective, posting a 3.02 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and .207 BAA. Escobar is back to 100 percent this spring and eager to hurl for both Venezuela and the Angels. There's no reason to believe he won't return to and possibly improve on his 2004 stats (11 wins, 3.93 ERA, 1.29 ERA, 191 strikeouts).
SP Daniel Cabrera, Orioles
The erratic Cabrera is already being thrust forward as the hurler most likely to be influenced by restless pitching coach Leo Mazzone. The emotional 24-year-old struck out 157 batters and allowed a mere 144 hits over 161.1 innings last season, but he also walked 87 hitters and posted an uninspiring 4.52 ERA. If Mazzone can infuse some control, confidence and consistency, Cabrera could be this season's Lackey. That's a sizable "if" but don't be shy about reaching down the board a bit for Daniel come draft day.
SP Ervin Santana, Angels
We're still amazed that Santana earned nary a point in last year's Rookie of the Year voting. The 22-year-old made 23 starts for a 95-win club, and he certainly held his own, going 12-8 with a 4.65 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 99 strikeouts. Those aren't exciting fantasy numbers, but given his age and the fact that he'd made a mere three career starts above Double-A prior to the call, we were plenty impressed. It's also notable that he showed improvement as the year went on and managed a 9-4 record, 3.97 ERA, and 1.25 WHIP after the All-Star break. Santana also posted a 3.52 ERA, 407 hits allowed, and 488 strikeouts over his 480 minor league innings, which helps state the case that there's upside here.
SP Scott Baker, Twins
Fantasy owners who know about Baker likely hate him, as he's the guy who could keep Francisco Liriano out of the rotation this spring. The Twins currently feel that Baker is better prepared for the Show, and it's hard to argue with the numbers. The right-hander went 3-3 with a 3.35 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in his 10 appearances (nine starts) last season. Prior to that, the 2003 draft pick posted a 3.05 ERA and 1.06 WHIP during his brief minor league career. Baker doesn't make too many people miss, but most importantly, he also doesn't hurt himself with walks. He projects to fit into the Paul Byrd/Brad Radke mold, which may not be the most exciting but is helpful to fantasy teams nonetheless.
SP Joel Pineiro, Mariners
Fantasy owners were in love with Pineiro back in 2002 and 2003, but he struggled in 2004 and eventually succumbed to a strained elbow. Pineiro then opened the 2005 campaign on the disabled list due to a shoulder issue, but he recovered to make 30 uninspiring starts. Thus, he's nearly two seasons removed from fantasy relevance and likely low on many radars. This spring, Pineiro is feeling healthy and is determined to prove his doubters wrong. The 27-year-old is slated to pitch for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, which the Mariners believe will be the start of Pineiro's return to prominence.
SP Ted Lilly, Blue Jays
Lily spins a similar tale to both Escobar and Pineiro. This left-hander battled shoulder problems last spring and biceps tendonitis in August. When he did pitch, the results were mostly dismal, and Lilly finished with a 5.56 ERA and 1.53 WHIP. Those awful stats came after back-to-back solid campaigns, but fantasy owners likely forgot about 2003 and 2004 due to last year. He showed up healthy this spring (something novel for him), and with Roy Halladay and A.J. Burnett anchoring the rotation, the pressure is off Lilly to be perfect. He just needs to return to his old self, which should equal around 12 wins, 160 strikeouts, a 4.20 ERA, and a 1.35 WHIP.