FTW
Tidbits From Spring Training: Pitchers …Pitch.
March 28, 2009 by kris · Leave a Comment
I’m not going to tell you how much to value spring training numbers for hitters, but I will tell you that you should value pitching numbers even less. With that said, here are some interesting timbits and tidbits.
Everyones favourite 21 year old phenomenon, Clayton Kershaw (SP-LAD) is tossing a strike-out per inning with 20 K in 20.1 IP to go along with a half-decent 3.48 ERA.
One of my favourite sleepers, Zack Greinke (SP – KC), has been roughed up pretty badly giving up 17 ER in 21 IP for an ERA above 7. I wouldn’t worry too much, unless it’s injury induced. Other notables that’ve been roughed up throughout the Spring: Scott Baker (SP – MIN), Matt Cain (SP-SFG), Brandon Webb (SP-ARI), Yovanni Gallardo (SP-MIL), John Maine (SP-NYM), Cliff Lee (SP-CLE), Chad Billingsley (SP-LAD), Ubaldo Jiminez (SP-COL), John Lackey (SP-LAA), Mike Pelfrey (SP-NYM) among others.
Francisco Liriano (SP – MIN) seems to be coming along, with 19 K in 21.1 IP. If the Twins allow Liriano to use his filthy slider, he’ll be terrific.
John Danks (SP – CHI), Ricky Nolasco (SP – FLA) and Adam Wainwright (SP – STL) are all having very good springs, each going for around a strike-out per inning. Nolasco probably has the most potential for a league-changing fantasy impact, but that has a lot to do with his ballpark. This may be the year Wainwright breaks out. According to ESPN’s ADP, I’d say every pitcher from 11 to 35 could finish in any given order — I’d call this depth.
It appears as though the Blue Jays are set on destroying Roy Halladay (SP-TOR) as he’s already pitched 27 innings this spring. That’s after pitching 246 innings last year. I’m still about as worried as I get about an over-use injury. The Jays are going to be awful this year, really awful.
Micah Owings (SP – CIN) is known for his HR power, but he’s been having a very solid spring. The Great American Band-Box really limits his potential, but a 1.45 ERA and 19 K’s is nice work in 18.2IP. Owings doesn’t really have a devastating out pitch and is vying for the 5th starter-role. Owings main competition is youngster Homer Bailey (SP-CIN). Bailey is sporting a 2.45 ERA with 12 K’s in 14.2 IP. Bailey’s shown chinks, but his ceiling is quite a bit higher than Owings.
Some other notables that have been destroying spring training hitting: Clay Bucholz (SP-BOS) has registered a .46 ERA to go along with 15 strike-outs in 19.2 IP. Ryan Dempster (SP-CHC) has been mystifying batters. Jason Motte (RP-STL) is keeping his ERA below 1.00 and pretty much has the closers role on lock-down. Kevin Slowey (SP-MIN) is sporting a 1.88 ERA, striking out 15 batters in 14.1 IP. Tommy Hanson (SP-ATL) is continuing his Arizona Fall League dominance but still doesn’t have a place to play; his 2.45 ERA and 14K in 14.2IP is real nice.
What the hell happened with Kei Igawa (SP – NYY) who’s posted a .73 ERA in 12.1 IP, to go with 13 strike outs. Igawa is buried, but he is starting to look like very solid trade bait. Paul Maholm (SP-PIT) is dominating this spring and is a very solid late round pick to fill out your rotation: .46 ERA, to go with 12 strikeouts and only 1 walk in 19.2 IP.
Edison Volquez (SP-CIN) is dominating and hasn’t allowed a run yet in 14 IP. He has however walked 5 with only 12 K. Johnny Cueto (SP-CIN) is looking just about as solid as Volquez, with a 1.50 ERA, 11 K and 2 BB in 18 IP. Javier Vazquez (SP-ATL) is posting solid spring numbers, and if your league uses K:BB — he’s golden.
Finally, Chris Carpenter (SP/RP – STL) is dominating this spring and may just be healthy. He still hasn’t allowed a run and has struck out 10, and walked 4 in 19 IP. He’s not the Chris Carpenter of old, but he’s still servicable it seems.
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