Krazy Kick'in Kinsler 3 SP Power Rankings
Now that the MLB draft is nearing it’s conclusion. It’s almost time to sit back and evaluate whose got the upper hand in which areas. In this edition, we’ll focus on the 3 SP position we roster.
Max_Murder stands out as someone who probally has a nice combination, selecting Cole Hamels and Brandon Webb with his 2nd and 3rd round picks. Hamels is fresh off the World Series titles and a new pay day. Don’t think for a second he will be any less effective after signing this big deal, Hamels should be, by all viewable resourcs and trends, be in the mix for the Cy Young. I have some concerns with Webb’s work load over the past 6 or so seasons. He’s been worked more then Roy Halladay, and thats saying a lot. You can’t deny history, and history shows Webb is a game changer and will be amoung the best 10 pitchers this season. Scott Baker, a pretty under rated SP from Minnesota round out his 3, which probally puts his team in the top tier of the league with SP alone.
Sya’s need a big return from Liriano, and hope that the 2008 version of Cliff Lee shows up. Jake Peavy is a horse, allbeit, a 6 inning horse. There’s some serious question marks on this teams pitching stability. I wouldn’t bank on another Cy Young calibur season from Cliff Lee, and Jake Peavy probally won’t pitch more then 160 Innings unless he can get himself past the 6th on a more consistant basis. Liriano has yet to even pitch more then 121 innings in a season, and is still in the recovery stages of his Tommy John. Thankfully, and to sya’s pleasure, pitchers have came back better then ever after a Tommy John operation, ala Rich Harden. As it stands, This combination ranks in the bottom tier.
BigH must have a love affair with being stressed all baseball season. Why else would you roster Scott Kazmir AND Justin Verlander as your two anchors? Maybe he drank some of Skoodog’s Kool-Aid (Rich Harden AND Ben Sheets, more on this later) However, Both these pitchers have the ability to be top 10 SP’s and when right, will launch any team to the top tier of pitching. Add in the Martini loving Joba Chamberlain, whose slotted to be a start in the bronx this season, they also have some some serious question marks. These question marks I think are less risker then some of the other combinations around the league. I believe Verlander and Kaz make big impacts for BigH this season.
Code Of Hammurbi decided to go with Roy “doc” Halladay. He’s really the only realiable SP he’s got at the moment. Erik Bedard was once regarded as a #1 SP, however injuries and ineffectivness have deminished his value a great deal. He’s got a long way to go before he’s the Erick Bedard the stuck out 220 batter in only 180 innings as in Oriole. Justin Duchscherer is a pretty solid pitcher, and would be more valueable if we was the closer. He simply can’t pitch enough innings to warrent his spot as a #3 SP. 2008 was his 1st season as a starter and totaled 22 starts, and 141 innings. I’m a betting man, and my money is I would bank too much more then what he gave last season. With two BIG question marks, and one horse, Code Of Hammurbi needs to bring in some more pitching if he wants to compete.
Krono87 stuck a deal with the Kick’in Kinslers that brough in Clayton Kershaw. The jury is still out on Kershaw. He need to develope a 3rd pitch and get a grip on his control before he will be of too much value, but his long term dynasty value is off the charts. With Kershaw are two Chi-Town starter, John Danks and Gavin Floyd. Both of these pitchers had nice season’s a year ago and look to build off them. Like Kershaw the jury is still out on them. I think Danks will get a better return then Floyd, which probally won’t get Krono the return of a #3 that they’re hoping for this season. One thing is for sure, all three pitchers have pretty high ceilings, and as long as they can brace for the bumps in the road, all three pitchers will be fine. I like the Long term outlook better then the 2009 outlook.
Donniebaseball snagged the break out pitcher from Los Angeles, Ervin “The Other Santana” Santana. Ervin showed to have tempered the road splits that snaged his progression 2 season’s ago, and made big strides n route to a top 15 season a year ago. Everything points to his continued success and the only knock on Santana probally will be his Win total, as a weakend Angel offense will now probally stuggle for the runs that they once had come a dime a dozen (see his run support). James Shields could be one of the most under the radar guys in baseball. Manager continously over look this guy and he just always come back to haunt them. He’s capable of being a #1 fantasy pitcher, but on this season hes a #2, and that will only help this teams SP strength. If Aaron Harang can return to form, which I believe he will, this season is just outside the top tier of the best SP combination of the league.
Blue Crew set the eggs in the Adam Wainwright basket. After reaching the 200 innings pitched milestone in 2007, Wainwright got injured last season and managed just 20 starts and 132 innings. Those innings were dominate innings, (see his 3.21 era) although in order for his status as a true #1, his BB’s need to come down, as it’s a WHIP killer, Wainwright can be a horse if he stays healthy. Josh Johnson fro Florida has a nice ceiling, I think he played a little over his head. Battered hit nearly .280 off him, and he walked 27 batter in 87 innings, killing his whip. Jered Weaver rounds out the 3rd SP, and again, it’s the theme of the show, his celing is high, and probally pitched the best that we will see from him last season. Some could argue for or against, but one thing is for certain, with some added control and another out pitch, Jered will be dominate. Otherwise, he’s no more valueable then the elder Weaver in his Detriot days.
The Twins from Mass, IronMike and Brett, landed two star pitchers in Gallardo and Lester. Yovani maybe have been injured, but there is no way around his talent. He’s got the potential and the ability right now to be a top 10 pitcher and with the brewers #1 rotation all his, this could be the season the Gallardo steps in and cements his arm as the #1 pitcher for the Brewers for years to come. Jon Lester went from cancer, to being the most effective pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. I don’t think it will fade either, as i fully expect Jon Lester to be again, the most effective SP for Boston. Jon Lester really got only one knock, and that is he won’t Strike out a lot of batters, barely reaching 150 in well ovr 200 Innings last season. Ironmike prepared for this and with Gallardo and the Mad Max, the Strike Out has been equalized. Which leads me to Mad Max himself. The young Gun from Arizona will get to the big show full time this season. Thought to be the Diamondbacks #3 SP this season, Mad Max should be a valueable asset for this team. Their will be bumps along the way, but went the road gets re-paved and the it’s smooth sailing, Mad Max could be one of the best pitchers out west in a few seasons. His 2009 outlook looks a big cloudy, probally more bumps then smooth sailing, but if Tim Lincecum can make a immediate impact, Mad Max has his chance to shine in the sun aswell. This is a very strong 3 SP punch, and I would rank this in the top tier of the league.
quickster was one of just 2 mangers to spend their 1st round pick on a SP. The 1st SP off the board went to quickster, which was Johan Santana. It’s hard to argue this pick, as he’s clearly been the best SP in the league for several seasons. Quickster clearly is hoping for a break out season from King Felix, who seems as if he’s been around for a decade but is only 22 years old. Could thisbe the season that we see what we have been talking about since 2005? My money is on that he makes a stride, but won’t be what we all want him to be just yet. I think he will likely be fine as the #3 SP on this team, I mean it’s hard to argue when you have King Felix as you 2nd best SP, right? Matt Cain has the most talent outside of Lincecum on the Giants. He had a very good season a couple years back, but took a step back in regression last season, partly to do injury. A return to form is in order, and I believe it’s going to happen. As a pitcher I got sniped on, Im bitter sweet on his praise. Santana, Felix, and Cain. If all goes well, quickster has some gamers and a serious dose of SP studs.
Shawnzo likes what Joh Lackey has to offer. Honestly, who can blame him? Even with his injury, and a slight step back, he was still a very good pitcher in a division that should let him see some weak offenses all season. Javier Vazquez probally had one of his most unlucky season’s last year. If you watched any game he pitched it was clear that the defense didn’t help out Javier at all. His % were all in line for his career stats and now that he’s in Atlanta, as the ace of the Braves, who by the way have some pretty slick defense, Vazquez should be happy with new home. Of couse, Ryan Howard, and David Wright might say hello sometimes.. The final SP is from the same division, Mr Brett Myers. Who apparently only decides to be a star SP when he gets sent down to the minors. I wouldn’t bank on what we saw in the last couple months. I also would bank on what we saw in the 1st couple months. Myers to me, is a #4 SP, and shouldn’t be used as a must start, instead as a spot starter. This is a middle of the pack combination as I see it.
codename likes what Dan Haren is drinking. As I do too. Historically he regresses in the 2nd half, and his 4.09 pos all-star ERA compared to his 2.72 pre all-star ERA shows the same. If Haren is going to be a true #1, he’s got to show that he’s a #1 when it counts, when leagues are won, in august and september. Josh Beckett didn’t show up the way redsox nation was hoping for, posting a 3.97 pre all star ERA dna 4.19 post allstar ERA. Like Haren, Beckett needs to show up when it counts. There is no award for winning the 1st 3 months of the season. Matt Garza is going to be a star this season and codename nabbed him right before I was aiming to. Made big strides last season and should make even more strides this season. I want to say that this team is a tier 1 SP in the 1st 3 months, but a mid tier in the last 2. But overall, you really can’t go wrong with Dan Haren and Josh Beckett as your achors.
Whatever Skoodog is smoking, pass it to me. Rich Harden AND Ben Sheet together? It’s like a sick affair. Their isn’t ever a happy ending. Reports have it that Rich Harden is already close to have an shoulder operation. Sheets can’t even find employment. Maybe Kevin Slowey can save the day?? Right now, this ranks last in the league. Sorry Skoodog 
Specter rosters Zack Grienke. A nice yougn SP who does everything well. With the added offense out in KC, he might push for a career year in wins. I wouldnt be shocked to see 15-17 wins this season. From depression to impression. Its the Kack Grienke Show. Carlos Zambrano slipped some in the draft, which is understandable considering his erractic pitching. Up on minute, down the next. It’s a roller coaster, and he needs to be watched on a gane to game basis. Jurreins is Pitcher that I think wil break out this season. Not to the point of a Cliff Lee, but to a point where he could challenge Javier as the teams true #1 pitcher. He has all the tools to be just that. It’s just a matter of time.
fontaine stepped on the Chad Billingsley bandwagon. 200IP, 200K low 3′s ERA, 24 years old, ace of the dodgers, whats not to like? Oh… his 1.35 WHIP. Yikes. Well atleast they drafted Dice K. Sub 3 ERA, 18 Wins, plays on a team with a top offense, nice K ratio… Whats not to like? Oh his 1.32 WHIP. Yikes. Roy Oswalt should temper that WHIP as he’s always been a nice impact WHIP pitcher. Bounced back from a slow start to be on the NL best pitcher, again. Only 32, Oswalt is primed to have another strong season. Billingley, DiceK and Oswalt? Pretty strong combination.
Blackhawk went young and nasty. I think maybe he and R Kelly had a conference call. Nontheless, they have Tim Lincecum and Edinson Volquez. Ehh… Nasty is an understatment. Two guys that could challenge for the Cy Young award. I don’t think Edinson fade down the stretch will slow his 2009. He’s got nasty stuff and he will be amoung the best 15 pitchers again this season. A nice compliment to these two pitchers is Carmona from Cleveland. He has K’s on lock down, and since Carmona won’t offer much in that way, Carmona will help in other areas if he can get his game back on strack. Win’s ERA and WHIP will all be helped from Carmona, unless of course a regression comes again. A regression that I don’t believe will come at all. A very SOLID 3 SP Combination.
CdnFa, Dublin, TitatiumMan, whoever…This team has once true Ace, CC Sabathia and two other SP that I have my doubts will pitch up the level that they pitched at last season in AJ Burnett and Ricky Nolasco. Burnett is a nice pitcher on a strong offense, but his history has shown that he’s very unpredicable and extremely untrustworthy. The return will be nice if he stays on par, but thats a big IF. Nothin in Rocky Nolasco’s minor league trends indicate to me that he will shut down his opponets like he did in his stint last season. He could very well come out, and shine , but then again, he could fall back on his minor league trends and be a 4.40/1.30 pitcher. With the way the Marlins ruin arms, I wouldn’t hold my breathe…
So, heres my 3 SP Combination Power Rankings going into Feb.
1. max_muder
2. Blackhawk08
3. Ironmike/Brett
—————
4. Fontaine
5. donniebaseball
6. quickster12
7. codename
8. BigH
————–
9. Shawnzo
10. sya
11. blue crew
12. Specter
13. Krono87
14. dublin/CdnFan
—————
15. Code Of hammurbi
16. Skoodog
