Fantasy Predictions: Pitcher Trends

Bailey

Here is a look at some pitchers and what their trends suggest for 2013.

-In his 11 year career, Aaron Harang had his two best ERA seasons the past two seasons. However, his walk totals were abnormally high last season, posting his worst BB/9 ratio since his rookie season. His SO/9 have been trending downward over the past six years. His SO/BB ratio was also his worst since his rookie season. However, his H/9 was the second best of his career. Put the good and bad together, and you get a .500 pitcher, which Harang was with the Dodgers. In 2011 with the Padres, he was 14-7. If you remove that season, over the past five seasons, Harang is 28-48. He’s a huge risk at this point in his career.

2013 Projection: 8-11 4.66 ERA

-Jake Westbrook posted his best ERA since 2004. He posted the best HR/9 of his career. His BB/9 was his best since 2006. His ERA was his lowest since 2004. The past two seasons, his numbers are trending upward slightly, so Westbrook could have another solid season if that trend continues.

2013 Projection: 13-9 3.90 ERA

-Ricky Romero was horrible in 2012 after three solid seasons to start his career. His BB/9 were way up and his SO/9 were significantly down. The numbers are so alarming, he could very well be hiding an injury. It would be sad to think we’ve already seen the best of Romero. If there is not an injury, he’ll win games with a potent Blue Jay lineup. Romero is someone to watch in Spring Training. (more…)

Guthrie Signing a Bad One For Royals

The Kansas City Royals have reportedly signed right-handed free agent starter Jeremy Guthrie to a three-year deal worth $25M. The deal is worth $5M in 2013, $11M in 2014, and $9M in 2015.

Guthrie, who will be 34 years old in early April, joins one of the most hittable and homer-prone rotations in recent memory. Take a look at what Guthrie and fellow starters Ervin Santana, Bruce Chen, Luis Mendoza, and Luke Hochevar did in 2012: (more…)

Breaking Down the Starting Pitching Market

To find which pitcher may be the best match for your team, I have broken down this year’s 2012 starting pitcher market. I first separated them into left handed and right handed pitchers. I then broke them down into ground ball vs. fly ball pitchers. Lastly I organized them by age into two groups (29 and younger and 30 years and older.) The pool of players came from MLB trade rumors free agent list. Now here is the breakdown:

Right Handed

Fly Ball:

Aaron Harang**

Armando Galarraga

Chris Young

Freddy Garcia**

Javier Vazquez

Jon Garland

Rich Harden

Tim Wakefield

Ground Ball:

Aaron Cook

Bartolo Colon

Brad Penny

Brandon Webb

Hiroki Kuroda

Jason Marquis

Joel Pineiro

Kevin Millwood

Livan Hernandez

Mitch Talbot

Rodrigo Lopez

Roy Oswalt*

Sergio Mitre

Edwin Jackson**

Kyle Davies

 

Left Handed

Fly Ball:

Bruce Chen**

Ground Ball:

Chris Capuano

C.J. Wilson*

Dontrelle Willis

Doug Davis

Erik Bedard

Jeff Francis

Mark Buehrle**

Paul Maholm

Zach Duke

*Type A

**Type B

There are also a few international free agent starting pitchers to take note of as well

MLB Top 50 Free Agent Predictions

 

MLB Trade Rumors recently released their top 50 free agents and where they think each player will sign. They had a competition where fans could submit their predictions to win prizes. Here are my predictions for the top 50 free agents.

 

1.  Albert Pujols St. Louis Cardinals
2.  Prince Fielder Chicago Cubs
3.  Jose Reyes Milwaukee Brewers
4.  C.J. Wilson New York Yankees
5.  Yu Darvish Texas Rangers
6.  Edwin Jackson Washington Nationals
7.  Jimmy Rollins Philadelphia Phillies
8.  Aramis Ramirez Los Angeles Angels
9.  Carlos Beltran Boston Red Sox
10.  Jonathan Papelbon Boston Red Sox
11.  Michael Cuddyer Seattle Mariners
12.  Mark Buehrle Florida Marlins
13.  David Ortiz Boston Red Sox
14.  Ryan Madson Philadelphia Phillies
15.  Hiroki Kuroda Los Angeles Dodgers
16.  Carlos Pena Pittsburgh Pirates
17.  Francisco Rodriguez Baltimore Orioles
18.  Roy Oswalt Baltimore Orioles
19.  Javier Vazquez Retirement
20.  Heath Bell Florida Marlins
21.  Coco Crisp Chicago White Sox
22.  Hisashi Iwakuma Minnesota Twins
23.  Kelly Johnson Toronto Blue Jays
24.  Josh Willingham Tampa Bay Rays
25.  Paul Maholm New York Mets
26.  Grady Sizemore St. Louis Cardinals
27.  Bartolo Colon Texas Rangers
28.  Erik Bedard Seattle Mariners
29.  David DeJesus Chicago Cubs
30.  Jason Kubel San Francisco Giants
31.  Ramon Hernandez Pittsburgh Pirates
32.  Jeff Francis Colorado Rockies
33.  Chris Capuano San Diego Padres
34.  Tsuyoshi Wada Toronto Blue Jays
35.  Clint Barmes Detroit Tigers
36.  Casey Kotchman Cleveland Indians
37.  Freddy Garcia New York Yankees
38.  Aaron Hill Los Angeles Dodgers
39.  Johnny Damon Cleveland Indians
40.  Aaron Harang Los Angeles Angels
41.  Jamey Carroll Houston Astros
42.  Rafael Furcal St. Louis Cardinals
43.  Juan Pierre Cincinnati Reds
44.  Frank Francisco Arizona Diamondbacks
45.  Jason Marquis New York Mets
46.  Joel Pineiro Los Angeles Dodgers
47.  Jonathan Broxton New York Mets
48.  Joe Nathan Cincinnati Reds
49.  Kerry Wood Retirement
50.  Bruce Chen Pittsburgh Pirates

 

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