TGIF: 2009 Starting Pitcher Rankings

By Pete Rampino in Fantasy, Featured ⋅ January 30, 2009 at 5:41am ⋅ Post a comment

With Pitchers and Catchers due to report to camp in just under two weeks, this signals the beginning of the 2009 baseball season. The game of fantasy baseball takes the most preparation due to the massive pool of players in the sport. Over the next few weeks, I will be breaking down the best players by position in order to give you a helping hand for your upcoming draft.

This week we take a look at Starting Pitchers.

Johan Santana-New York Mets
CC Sabathia-New York Yankees
Tim Lincecum-San Francisco Giants
Roy Halladay-Toronto Blue Jays
Brandon Webb-Arizona Diamondbacks
Dan Haren-Arizona Diamondbacks
Cole Hamels-Philadelphia Phillies
Jake Peavy-San Diego Padres
Cliff Lee-Cleveland Indians
John Lackey-L.A. Angels
Roy Oswalt-Houston Astros
Daisuke Matsuzaka-Boston Red Sox
Edinson Volquez-Cincinnati Reds
Carlos Zambrano-Chicago Cubs
Josh Beckett-Boston Red Sox
Scott Kazmir-Tampa Bay Rays
A.J. Burnett-New York Yankees
Chad Billingsley-L.A. Dodgers
Ervin Santana-L.A. Angels
James Shields-Tampa Bay Rays
Jon Lester-Boston Red Sox
Rich Harden-Chicago Cubs
Francisco Liriano-Minnesota Twins
Felix Hernandez-Seattle Mariners
Ben Sheets-FA
Adam Wainwright-St. Louis Cardinals
Justin Duchscherer-Oakland Athletics
Josh Johnson-Florida Marlins
Aaron Harang-Cincinnati Reds
Joba Chamberlain-New York Yankees

Hey, don’t forget…

Max Scherzer-Arizona Diamondbacks

One of the most coveted pickups in leagues last year had a spectacular time during his first stint in the majors. In 16 games (7 starts), Scherzer compiled a, 0-4 record but he had a very good ERA of 3.05 with 66 K in 56 IP. In what could be a steal on draft day, Scherzer can bring the heat and boost those strikeout numbers in the late rounds of the draft.

David Price-Tampa Bay Rays

In five games including one start, Price showed the baseball world what he could do. His limited time yielded a 1.93 ERA in 14 IP. In the playoffs, he showed flashes of brilliance out of the bullpen when he threw 2.1 scoreless innings against the Red Sox in the ALCS and got a win and a save. The very young left will hopefully be the 5th starter in a very talented Rays ballclub.

Zack Greinke-Kansas City Royals

After the first month of the season, Greinke was the best pitcher in the game with a 3-0 record and 1.25 ERA in 36 IP. He would hit some huge bumps in the road over the next few months by failing to post a sub 4.00 ERA in May, June, and July with June and July resulting in ERA’s of 5.25 and 5.22. Then Greinke did a complete 180 and finally got back on track. In August he had a 2.48 ERA and he capped off his season with a spectacular September that resulted in a 4-1 record and 2.18 ERA. Greinke has battled some personal issues over the past few years and 2008 looked like a great step in the right direction. This season looks to be another step forward.

Next Week: Catchers

Tags: Brandon Webb, CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Dan Haren, Fantasy, Jake Peavy, Johan Santana, John Lackey, Roy Halladay, TGIF, Tim Lincecum