Fantasy
Baseball |
The most volatile position in baseball still needs rankings. So, here they are:
1. Jonathan Broxton - LA - He had a rough second half and had trouble staying healthy. 114 strikeouts later, he's worth reaching on.
2. Mariano Rivera - NYY - Sure, he's old. Until he retires, you might as well take him amongst the top five.
3. Jonathan Papelbon - BOS - It's funny how some think he had a down year in 2009 because of a 1.15 WHIP. Each year of his career he's provided 35+ saves.
4. Francisco Rodriguez - NYM - Less about his numbers, more about his job security.
5. Brian Wilson - SF - Oh no, I didn't! 38 and 41 saves in the last two seasons + job security + Lincecum + Cain = Good enough for me.
6. Joakim Soria - KC - Not to beat a dead horse, but in this world, job security means everything. He hasn't been the model of health but 35+ saves can't be ruled out just because he pitches for KC.
7. Francisco Cordero - CIN - He's had between 34 and 49 saves in five of the last six seasons.
8. Rafael Soriano - TB - The only pitcher not named Broxton to record over 100 K's last year. An ERA under 3.00 and a 1.06 WHIP aren't too shabby either.
9. Trevor Hoffman - MIL - Whatever. The guy is old, only pitches in save situations, yet still finds a way to record 30+ saves with a sub 1.00 WHIP.
10. Andrew Bailey - OAK - Sophomore slump? Maybe. Lowest WHIP amongst closers? Definitely.
11. Huston Street - COL - Don't call it a comeback... but it kind of was; 0.91 WHIP.
12. Jose Valverde - DET - If he hadn't missed some time last year, he could have pushed for a third consecutive 40+ save season.
13. David Aardsma - SEA - He may not repeat his 2009 performance, but he'll always appear first alphabetically on your team's roster.
14. Heath Bell - SD - Great numbers, but the fear of a trade keeps him at #15.
15. Chad Qualls - ARI - Minor injury shouldn't get in the way of saving games for Haren and Webb.
16. Carlos Marmol - CHI - Remember drafting him a year ago only to see Kevin Gregg get all the saves? He can strike out 100 batters, but let's see it before we pay for it.
17. Ryan Franklin - STL - He enters with the job but his late-season struggles make it hard to believe he'll end the year with it.
18. Bobby Jenks - CHW - Yadda, yadda, yadda. He's still the White Sox closer.
19. Brian Fuentes - ANA - He may save 70 games.. or he may save 19 while Rodney saves 17.
20. Leo Nunez - FLA - They traded away Lindstrom, yet signed MacDougal.
21. Mike Gonzalez - BAL - Always under the radar; No more Soriano in the picture.
22. Kerry Wood - CLE - He's been healthy as a closer. Get over it.
23. Frank Francisco - TEX - They trade for Ray, but give CJ Wilson a shot to start. Go Figure.
24. Brad Lidge - PHI - If they had a better alternative he wouldn't be closing anymore; But, they don't.
25. Billy Wagner - ATL - Sure, he's got the job to himself.. if Saito weren't around.
26. Matt Capps - WAS - Awful campaign in 2009, yet little competition.
27. Octavio Dotel - PIT - Watch him save 30 games... or play in only 30 games.
28. Matt Lindstrom - HOU - See below.
29. Brandon Lyon - HOU - See above.
30. Jason Frasor - TOR - See below.
31. Kevin Gregg - TOR - See above.
32. Matt Guerrier - MIN - Will battle it out this spring with Rauch. Does Frasor get traded to the Twins?
33. Jon Rauch - MIN - Will battle it out with Guerrier. Stay tuned.
34. Fernando Rodney - ANA - He blew the fewest amount of saves in baseball last year.
35. Takashi Saito - ATL - You think Wagner will stay healthy all year? Or will pitch on back to back nights?
36. Scott Downs - TOR - Who knows how things will play out; Blame Canada.
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COMMENTS/
CONVERSATION |
by: stainer22 | date: 03/05/2010 12:11 amThe Index is always a key part of my draft. Two years ago it led me to Greinke and Lincecum. Last year Jimenez. Keep up the good work FP! | by: BrettG | date: 03/05/2010 8:34 pmThe pitchers annotated in yellow represent those who were elite last year based on their ability.
Once this season begins, anyone receiving a current score of 5.00 or better will be deemed an elite weekly starter and will also be highlighted in yellow. | by: mick605 | date: 03/06/2010 2:34 amthis is great guys, thanks for making your pitching index so easy to follow. I'm looking forward to a season of domination! | by: mikeyboy324 | date: 03/07/2010 12:37 pmThis is my first year using this is this how you rank your pitchers like is vazquez considered the best starter or do are there are things your looking at?...also when people say they found greinke and jimenez last year bye looking at the chart what overall number did they have last year and who looks to be that person This year? | by: BrettG | date: 03/07/2010 1:33 pmmikeyboy,
Last year, Vazquez was tied with Lincecum as the best fantasy pitcher, ability wise. Most of the time that translates to fantasy wise as well.
Now that Vazquez has moved to the AL, his numbers may not be exactly the same as they were in 2009.
For all those who didn't have any drastic changes, then their ranking on this list would be accurate.
When looking for sleepers this year, you should look at the chart and find the names that you are surprised to be ranked so high.
Generally speaking, those are the ones who pitched better than their numbers showed and should be nice bargains this year. | by: BrettG | date: 03/07/2010 1:34 pmBrett Anderson, Jorge De La Rosa and Jonathan Sanchez are three that comes to mind. | by: mikeyboy324 | date: 03/07/2010 1:46 pmok i see thanks i just was a lil confused bye the vazquez ranking | by: amiro | date: 03/07/2010 4:58 pmHow does this Sabermetric Pitching Index differ from your 1-60 SP rankings here --> http://www.fantasyphenoms.com/baseball.php?id=1369
Just wondering the difference in rankings between the two and as far as FBB drafts, which one should be considered more heavily.
Thanks! | by: mizzouree | date: 03/07/2010 6:09 pmI don't understand Jake Peavy being deemed elite last year. I owned him, and he was anything but elite last year. | by: BrettG | date: 03/07/2010 6:21 pmAlex,
I would combine the two equally. Some pitchers in the top 60 didn't pitch much at all last year, so they aren't included in the Sabermetric Pitching Index, such as Brandon Webb, Ben Sheets and Tim Hudson.
People in the top 60 are ranked to include projected innings pitched, etc.
The Index refers to a pitcher's ability.
Jeff to answer your question, Jake Peavy is one of the pitchers who didn't pitch much last year, but when he did, he showed the same ability he has in previous years.
His ranking in the top 60 is lower because he's now gone two seasons in a row without 200 innings.
However, his ability doesn't seem to have diminished. |
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