Breakout Pitchers 2006 (WW, Sleepers, etc.)

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 1:22 pm

Whatever the format, getting out early on this year's underrated and hot pitchers are an important aspect to a good draft and season. When a manager is able to draft and count on stable position players early and pick up this year's unknown breakout hurlers late, it's a good sign for the season ahead. Here are some names I've scooped up off the waiver wire and/or are on the "Watch List" for later on in the summer.

Seth McClung - Sophomore 24-year-old righty has secured the second or third spot in the Rays rotation with an outstanding spring training. If he's finally achieved Major League level control he could be the righty tandem member of a wicked new Tampa Bay one-two punch. Keep a lookout for rising win totals and pitching stats, because by 2007 the Rays could be on a roll.

Jason Vargas - 22-year-old sophomore lefty has quietly pitched his way into the top three of the rotation in spacious Dolphins Stadium. He has very similar stats to his counterpart, Dontrelle Willis, excepting about one walk more per nine. Expect the opportunity and experience to pay off this year. Even with a low win total projection this guy is going to be very productive.

Joey Devine - Lights out K/IP ratio (nearly 2:1) this spring is more of what the Braves were looking for when they drafted him. Be sure to remember this is Atlanta's only first-round college reliever draft choice and they have big plans for him.

Joel Zumaya - The kids have come out to pitch in spring training for the Tigers. Zumaya has secured a spot in the pen and, by the All-Star break, it's a real possibility he's nailing down the ninth for Detriot. Todd Jones will have to sustain his career year of '05 to keep being called a closer.

Justin Verlander - New manager Jim Leyland has someone very special to build his rotation around. Verlander is the rookie most likely to match King Felix's prior season splash. 'Nuff said.

I play in a 30-man roster 10-team HTH league, which is the same as 12-team 25-man roster league setting. I tend to look for young high strikeout guys with big breakout win pontential as late round and roster players. I also take a player being free of injury, even after a first surgery two-year recovery, as a given. It's just bad luck if the baseball deities are against you. Please feel free to evalute these guys and let us know who's exciting on your waiver wire and why.

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 3:09 pm

it's a secret!

Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 11:29 pm

Dewon Brazelton has secured a regular rotation spot with the Padres. He deserves to be added to the watch. The third overall pick in the 2001 draft could mirror John Patterson's success story after his move from Arizona to Washington. If Dewon responds half as well to a new home, he'll have positive situational fantasy value.

Come on managers, toss some names on here. There have to be some names you've already shuffled for injuries, minor league losses, or they're just so high risk (see above) that you don't mind throwing the names out.

Kyle Davies is making things interesting here in Atlanta and is another fairly high risk for this season.

Chuck James... very high on him. A 90mph+ heater from the left side with high control is much more valuable than what the "hidden delivery and extreme flyball pitcher" scouting reports lead us to believe. It's very possible Horacio Rameriz does not make any further progress and ends up switching places with James in the bullpen by the end of the summer. Atlanta's farm system continues to produce top pitching prospects

General Manager Joined: Jan 19, 2006 Posts: 234

Ive been watching Scott Olsen, Ryan Madson (if he gets a rotation spot), and Fausto Carmona whom I believe will be called up to Cleveland by June, either due to an injury, or just because he will be tearing Buffalo up too much they will be forced to find room for him.

General Manager Joined: Feb 20, 2005 Posts: 495

I heard this guy named, um, Z. Duck, or Z. Duk could be pretty good as well.