Fantasy Baseball Player Rankings & Projections
2008 Starting Pitcher Preseason Preview
Johan Santana
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Santana is still a Fantasy-Stud
doubt his sub par 2007 performance. He is likely
to be traded to a better team in '08 and that should
only increase his fantasy value. |
1. Johan Santana - Twins - 2008 Preview:
After 3 consecutive years as the easy #1 pitcher in fantasy
baseball Santana had an off-year in 2007 and finished in
the middle of the pack. But as we know in fantasy sports,
we can't let one so-so season throw us off. Just look at
Arod in 2007 after an average 2006 or countless other examples.
In addition, Santana is likely to be traded to a better
team, possibly the Yankees and that would increase his win
totals and thus his value. Finally, his "down year"
included 15 wins and a stout 9.66 strikeouts-to-innings
k-ratio. Where ever Santana pitches in 2008, expect him
to dominate and have another big fantasy season.
2007 Statistics:
15-13 - 3.33 ERA - 235 K's - 219 IP.
2008 Projection:
20-6 - 2.72 ERA - 243 K's - 228 IP.
2. Jake Peavy - Padres - 2008 Preview:
He finally broke out in 2007 finishing as the clear #1 starting
pitcher in fantasy baseball and every argument can be made
that he is the 2008 preseason #1. He led the major leagues
with 240 strikeouts (9.68 k-ratio) and a 1.06 WHIP and was
second in wins at 19. At age 26 Peavy has many more big
seasons in front of him and throwing in pitcher-friendly
San Diego only makes that potential increase.
2007 Statistics:
19-6- 2.54 ERA - 240 K's - 223.1 IP.
2008 Projection:
18-6 - 2.65 ERA - 230 K's - 218 IP.
3. (Tie) C.C. Sabathia - Indians - 2008
Preview:
The 27-year-old finally got the run support needed to have
a big 19-win season which lead to him winning the Cy Young
award. The Indians should be as good, or better in 2008,
giving Sabathia a good shot at winning 20. He was seond
in the league with 4 complete games and had a good k-ratio
of 7.81.
2007 Statistics:
19-7 - 3.21 ERA - 209 K's - 241 IP.
2008 Projection:
18-6 - 3.20 ERA - 200 K's - 234 IP.
3. (Tie) Brandon Webb - Diamondbacks -
2008 Preview:
The 2006 Cy Young Award winner followed up and actually
had a slightly better 2007 season. He won 2 more games,
his ERA dropped .09 points, and he improved his k-ratio
to 7.4. He added a second-most 4 complete games. The Diamondbacks
have a good up and coming team and Webb will once again
be a Cy Young candidate and among the best pitchers in fantasy
baseball.
2007 Statistics:
18-10 - 3.01 ERA - 194 K's - 236.1 IP.
2008 Projection:
17-7 - 2.90 ERA - 188 K's - 233 IP.
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4. Cole Hamels - Philles - 2008 Preview:
The highly-touted prospect came through big in 2007 winning
15 games and positing an excellent 8.7 k-ratio. He may have
come close to winning 20 games if not for missing about
a month in the second half of the season with an injury.
The Phillies will be a playoff contender in 2008 and Hamels
will be their ace. He has the potential to finish as the
#1 pitcher in fantasy baseball.
2007 Statistics:
15-5 - 3.39 ERA - 177 K's - 183.1 IP.
2008 Projection:
19-6 - 3.02 ERA - 209 K's - 219 IP.
5. Josh Beckett - Red Sox - 2008 Preview:
The lone twenty-game-winner in the major leagues returns
as the #1 pitcher for the World Champion Red Sox. Of course
with their great offense the Red Sox give Beckett plenty
of run support and with their great bullpen they keep leads
for him and that translates into wins. He adds a very nice
8.72 k-ratio to his fantasy resume.
2007 Statistics:
20-7 - 3.27 ERA - 194 K's - 200.2 IP.
2008 Projection:
19-6 - 2.72 ERA - 243 K's - 228 IP.
6. Dan Haren - Diamondbacks - 2008 Preview:
He was traded in the off season to the Arizona Diamondbacks
and that is nothing but good news for Haren. The Diamondbacks
are winners and that propels Haren into the top-ten
rankings of starting pitchers and gives him a legitimate
shot at winning 20 games. He improved his k-ratio to a very
solid 7.78 in 2007.
2007 Statistics:
15-9 - 3.07 ERA - 192 K's - 222.2 IP.
2008 Projection:
18-6 - 2.82 ERA - 205 K's - 230 IP.
7. Scott Kazmir - Rays - 2008 Preview:
He is one of the best young pitchers in baseball, unfortunately
he plays for the Tampa Bay Rays. The good news is the Rays,
like in 2006, have a good young offense that if improved
could give Kazmir more wins. The bad news is the Rays '
bullpen still stinks, and it is doubtful that the addition
of veteran Troy Percival will help that much. Kazmir's strength
is his amazing 10.43 k-ratio which was tops among major
league starting pitchers in 2007.
2007 Statistics:
13-8 - 3.48 ERA - 239 K's - 206.2 IP.
2008 Projection:
16-7 - 3.32 ERA - 240 K's - 210 IP.
8. Carlos Zambrano - Cubs - 2008 Preview:
He had an up and down year, much like his team did in 2007.
At times he was dominate and a times he was average. The
good news for Zambrano is he is just 26 and has the potential
to grow and become a #1 fantasy stud pitcher. He has averaged
16 wins over the last 4 seasons and finally, he plays on
a winning team that should contend again in 2008. The drawback
is his inconsistenty. He actually to a small step backwards
in 2008 seeing his ERA (3.95) and k-ratio (7.38) slip and
his losses rise, though he did win a career high 18.
2007 Statistics:
18-13 - 3.95 ERA - 177 K's - 216.1 IP.
2008 Projection:
18-8 - 3.30 ERA - 193 K's - 220 IP.
