2010 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide: Starting Pitcher (SP) Sleepers. Starting Pitcher (SP) Sleeper selections are based on a standard scoring system in mixed AL/NL fantasy baseball leagues for the 2010 season. Scoring system stats include: wins, losses, strikeouts, era, and whip – (W, L, K, ERA, WHIP). IP = innings pitched during the 2009 season.
Starting Pitcher (SP) Sleeper selections are based on players who have yet to make a significant statistical impact at the major league level, but offer the potential to accumulate major league playing time and fantasy baseball relevant stats during the 2010 season. Starting Pitcher (SP) Sleepers are players to consider drafting late in fantasy baseball drafts or pick up as free agents to begin the 2010 season.
Top 5 – Starting Pitcher (SP) Sleepers 2010
#1 – Kris Medlen – SP – Atlanta Braves (24)
With Tommy Hanson receiving all the attention as the Braves best minor league pitcher over the past few seasons, Medlen has flown under the radar in terms of potentially being a top of the rotation starting pitcher in the major leagues. Yet stats do not lie, and Medlen has the minor league track record to prove he has the ability to become a very successful starting pitcher at the major league level. Boasting an incredible strikeout ratio of 10.4 strikeouts per 9 innings over his minor league career, including a total of 263 strikeouts over just 227 innings pitched, Medlen could offer just the type of production the Braves need from their pitching staff during the 2010 season. With the 1-4 starting spots all but claimed by Derek Lowe, Tim Hudson, Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson, Medlen will need a solid spring training to earn the 5th and finals spot in the Braves starting rotation to being the 2010 season. However if he does claim that 5th spot, Medlen could very easily be one of the best #5 starting pitchers in all of baseball.
2009 Minor League Stats: 37 IP, 5 W, 0 L, 44 K, 1.19 ERA, 0.79 WHIP
2009 Major League Stats: 67 IP, 3 W, 5 L, 72 K, 4.26 ERA, 1.40 WHIP
2010 Major League Stat Projections: 170 IP, 12 W, 8 L, 170 K, 3.50 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
#2 – Wade Davis – SP – Tampa Bay Rays (24)
Considered to be one of Tampa Bay’s best pitching prospects, Davis finally made his much anticipated major league debut in September 2009, and he definitely did not disappoint. In just 6 major league starts to finish out the 2009 season for the Rays, Davis tallied 2 wins, 36 strikeouts, and a 3.72 ERA over 36 innings pitched, including a complete game shutout in just his 3rd major league start. As a beneficiary of the Scott Kazmir trade, Davis will enter the 2010 season with a great opportunity to claim a spot in the starting rotation. Offering solid strikeout potential, including an 8.7 strikeouts per 9 innings ratio during his minor league career, as well as boasting an outstanding 3.28 ERA over 767 innings pitched in the minors, Davis at age 24 offers plenty of minor league experience and success to transition into becoming one of the best starting pitchers in the Rays rotation during the 2010 season.
2009 Minor League Stats: 158 IP, 10 W, 8 L, 140 K, 3.40 ERA, 1.25 WHIP
2009 Major League Stats: 36 IP, 2 W, 2 L, 36 K, 3.72 ERA, 1.27 WHIP
2010 Major League Stat Projections: 170 IP, 12 W, 6 L, 150 K, 3.50 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
#3 – Ian Kennedy – SP – Arizona Diamondbacks (25)
As a former 1st round pick in the 2006 draft, the Diamondbacks are hoping Kennedy can translate his minor league success into major league success during the 2010 season. After a solid showing in the 2009 Arizona Fall League, Kennedy will enter spring training with a great opportunity to claim a spot in the starting rotation to begin the 2010 season for the Diamondbacks, as both the 4th and 5th spots are up for grabs heading into spring training. As a strikeout pitcher who has tallied 273 strikeouts over 248 innings pitched during his minor league career, Kennedy at age 25 has the potential to develop into a solid major league starting pitcher during the 2010 season.
2009 Minor League Stats: 22 IP, 1 W, 0 L, 25 K, 1.59 ERA, 1.10 WHIP
2009 Major League Stats: 1 IP, 0 W, 0 L, 1 K, 0.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP
2010 Major League Stat Projections: 160 IP, 10 W, 8 L, 150 K, 3.80 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
#4 – Carlos Carrasco – SP – Cleveland Indians (23)
Coming to Cleveland in the Cliff Lee trade with Philadelphia, Carrasco entered the 2009 season as the Phillies top minor league prospect. With no proven ace starting pitcher on the Indians pitching staff to open the 2010 season, Carrasco who is considered to be major league ready, will be given every opportunity to claim a starting spot in the rotation to begin the season. Offering enough potential as a starting pitcher, Carrasco has the ability to transform into the ace of the Indians pitching staff during the 2010 season.
2009 Minor League Stats: 157 IP, 11 W, 10 L, 148 K, 4.64 ERA, 1.23 WHIP
2009 Major League Stats: 22 IP, 0 W, 4 L, 11 K, 8.87 ERA, 2.28 WHIP
2010 Major League Stat Projections: 170 IP, 10 W, 10 L, 150 K, 4.00 ERA, 1.30 WHIP
#5 – Aaron Poreda – SP – San Diego Padres (23)
After making his major league debut during the 2009 season and receiving some playing time as a relief pitcher, Poreda showcased his potential, as he was very successful in his limited major league innings while tallying a 2.70 ERA and 12 strikeouts over just 13 innings pitched. As a projected starting pitcher, Poreda could earn a spot in the starting rotation for the Padres to begin the 2010 season, or he could also be used as a relief pitcher in the Padres bullpen which would allow him to gain more experience against major league hitters. While another Padres SP pitching prospect in Mat Latos could very easily beat out Poreda for a starting spot in the Padres rotation sometime during the 2010 season, it makes sense that the Padres will give the first opportunity to the older and more experienced Poreda.
2009 Minor League Stats: 107 IP, 5 W, 7 L, 108 K, 3.95 ERA, 1.47 WHIP
2009 Major League Stats: 13 IP, 1 W, 0 L, 12 K, 2.70 ERA, 1.73 WHIP
2010 Major League Stat Projections: 100 IP, 7 W, 5 L, 90 K, 3.60 ERA, 1.30 WHIP
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