Fantasy Baseball Player Rankings & Projections
2008 Starting Pitcher Preseason Preview
Félix Hernández
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The future phenom is just 22 and already
has 2 full seasons under his belt. Will 2008 be the year
he becomes a Fantasy Baseball Stud? |
9. Félix Hernández - Mariners - 2008
Preview:
One of the biggest pitching prospects in baseball has now played
2 full seasons plus the end of one and has a career record of 30-25
with a 3.94 ERA. Not bad, but keep in mind he will just barely be
22 on opening day 2008. Their is a world of untapped potential in
Hernandez. He can easily be the next Johan Santana, the question
is whether it could be in 2008. Coming into his 3rd full season
Hernandez should take the next step up to become a fantasy stud
pitcher, but still ranks a bit lower because it is speculation and
the above pitchers have proven records
2007 Statistics:
14-7 - 3.92 ERA - 165 K's - 190.1 IP.
2008 Projection:
17-6 - 3.22 ERA - 200 K's - 215 IP.
10. Roy Oswalt - Astros - 2008 Preview:
He is simply a sure-thing, Fantasy All-Star starting pitcher. Oswalt
has averaged 16 wins and 7.7 losses per season every year of his
career with a 3.07 lifetime ERA. The Astros continue to put winning
teams on the field and that shows in Oswalt's brilliant lifetime
record. The only drawback to Oswalt, and thus a bit of a lower ranking,
is his falling k-ratio of 6.54.
2007 Statistics:
14-7 - 3.18 ERA - 169 K's - 212 IP.
2008 Projection:
16-7 - 3.09 ERA - 230 K's - 222 IP.
11. Francisco Liriano - Twins - 2008 Preview:
Let's not forget about Liriano who is expected to be back for Spring
Training. In 2005 he was 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA and struck out 144
batters in 121 innings before his elbow injury which required Tommy
John surgery. Liriano is a bit gamble, but at just 24 years of age
there is no reason that he shouldn't return strong from his injury
and play as well as his 2006 season. After all, the injury was in
2006 and he has had more than a year to recover.
2007 Statistics:
DID NOT PLAY
2008 Projection:
16-4 - 2.62 ERA - 213 K's - 198 IP.
12. John Lackey - Angels - 2008 Preview:
A very underrated fantasy starting pitcher who has averaged about
15 wins over each of the last 4 seasons and has a solid 3.82 lifetime
ERA. He put up a very respectable 7.19 k-ratio and threw 2 complete
game shutouts. He is the #1 pitcher for a playoff contending team
who has both a good offense to support him as well as a good bullpen
to hold his leads and give him a high win total.
2007 Statistics:
19-9 - 3.01 ERA - 179 K's - 224 IP.
2008 Projection:
18-10 - 3.25 ERA - 181 K's - 222 IP.
13. John Smoltz - Braves - 2008 Preview:
He is very comparable to Roy Oswalt with the exception of age. At
the age of 40 you wonder when Smoltz will lose his magic. It doesn't
seem to be anytime soon, but the drafting of Smoltz does carry that
little bit of risk. With that said, since returning to the starting
rotation from being an ace closer, he has averaged just over 14
wins and 8 losses and a 3.20 ERA along with a 7.79 k-ratio. Consistent
is the word. The Braves generally have a good bullpen to hold his
leads and have an adequate offense as well.
2007 Statistics:
14-8 - 3.11 ERA - 197 K's - 205.2 IP.
2008 Projection:
15-9 - 3.21 ERA - 192 K's - 202 IP.
14. Erik Bedard - Orioles - 2008 Preview:
The lefty came into his own in 2007 posting a remarkable 10.93 k-ratio
which was tops for major league starting pitchers. He has had back-to-back
good seasons and is now a proven fantasy starter. His major drawback
is his team. They don't win a lot and they don't hold his leads.
If Bedard played on a good team he would be an easy top-ten starting
pitcher.
2007 Statistics:
13-5 - 3.16 ERA - 221 K's - 182 IP.
2008 Projection:
15-6 - 3.20 ERA - 233 K's - 200 IP.
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15. Roy Halladay - Blue Jays - 2008 Preview:
The veteran has a very low 5.56 k-ratio which prevents him from
cracking the top-ten. Combine that with quite a few injuries over
the years and Halladay doesn't compare to the pitchers above him.
On the other hand, he is consistent and he wins and that is what
most owners want in a starting pitcher. How about 7 complete games?
That is tops in a league where pitchers just don't do that very
often these days. When healthy he is good for 15-20 wins and a good
ERA.
2007 Statistics:
16-7 - 3.71 ERA - 139 K's - 225.1 IP.
2008 Projection:
17-8 - 3.52 ERA - 135 K's - 220 IP.
16. Justin Verlander - Tigers - 2008 Preview:
He is young, proven, has a great offense to support him and an excellent
bullpen to hold his leads. What else do you want? How about 35 wins
in his first two full seasons. He tops it off with a very solid
8.19 k-ratio.
2007 Statistics:
18-6 - 3.66 ERA - 183 K's - 201.2 IP.
2008 Projection:
19-8 - 3.59 ERA - 190 K's - 209 IP.
