Baker Could Help Your Fantasy Pitching Staff

August 8, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By David Wysocki
Edited by Ryan Dodson

After being optioned to Triple-A Rochester out of spring training, Minnesota Twins brass felt starting pitcher Scott Baker may have an issue with confidence. The 6-foot-5 righty had already registered 137 innings at the big-league level with mixed results the previous two seasons. But in May, Baker had a chance to redeem himself when starting pitcher Sidney Ponson was released.

In 8.1 innings, against one of the toughest offenses in the game, Baker allowed only six hits and two earned runs, while whiffing five. The victory over the Milwaukee Brewers welded Baker a spot in the Twins rotation and he has enjoyed a very productive 2007 season thus far.

Baker is 6-4 on the season but has been red hot of late. He has given a quality start in four of his last five starts and two in a row. These last two were victories over the division-leading Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals where he was masterful, giving up just six hits and one run while striking out 11 in 16 innings.

The 25-year-old Oklahoma State alum has posted a 4.43 ERA and seems to be turning a corner. He has won four of his last six starts and has helped the team pull within six games of the Indians. This effort has placed him behind only the immortal Johan Santana and Boof Bonser in the Twins rotation.

Baker has been roughed up a few times in '07 but has bounced back very nicely. For a Twins team that doesn't always bring an "A" offense, he has faired very well. In fact on June 15, he ERA peaked at 7.33 after a second showing of the "Brew Crew." Every game since with one exception, his ERA has seen a dip.

Table: Scott Baker's last six starts (July 6- August 5)

Date	Opp.	Dec.	IP	H	ER	BB	K	2007 ERA
8/5	vs. CLE	W	8.0	4	0	2	4	4.43
7/30	vs. KAN	W	8.0	2	1	0	7	4.88
7/24	@ TOR	L	7.0	6	4	1	5	5.30
7/19	vs. DET	-	6.1	10	3	1	3	5.32
7/12	vs. OAK	W	6.0	5	2	1	3	5.43
7/6	@ CWS	W	5.0	9	7	1	6	5.71

Baker insists location and changing speeds are to blame for his solid past few weeks, but Twins farm director Jim Rantz claims it was his aggression and a desire to establish himself in the show as well. After getting a taste of major-league action, Baker was hungry to show he belonged.

With a little luck, some timely hitting and solid pitching, the Twins have started to show some life and gain ground on the Indians and the Detroit Tigers who have been sliding. Baker has been a key contributor.

At this point in the season it is very hard for fantasy owners to find pitching. Baker seems to have the hot hand and shows he can also go deep in games. If the Twins stay warm, Baker may have a shot at a few wins. Avid baseball fans would be crazy to count out the Twins this time of year. Despite a couple shaky starts, he may be one of the best fantasy options available and is likely to be available in your league.

He's available in 98 percent of leagues polled and should be picked up in most leagues. He's an upper-echelon prospect, and he could pay large dividends down the stretch.

KFFLians are saying....

Comment

 

---

What do you think? We want to hear from you!

Name: E-mail: Please, enter the number that you see

Comment Guidelines

David Wysocki

David has been a KFFL writer since 2005. He is a San Diego native and a History and Geography student at California State University-Chico. He has a writing background and has appeared in, and helped produce, various local newsletters and magazines on sports and music. He also pitched for the No. 2 nationally ranked Rancho Buena Vista Longhorns his senior year of high school in 2002.

Talk Sports 24/7!
KFFL Sports Forums: Over 24,000 strong and growing!

One Day FREE Fantasy Contest - $350 in cash prizes (05/24)
Fantasy Closer Hot Seat: Addison Reed, J.J. Putz, Ernesto Frieri, more (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Brian Roberts seeing the light at the end of the rehab tunnel (05/24)
Fantasy baseball closer depth charts - AL (05/24)
Fantasy baseball closer depth charts - NL (05/24)
Fantasy baseball players in the news (05/24)
Fantasy football players in the news (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Dee Gordon's problems at bat (05/23)
Fantasy Baseball Player Prospecting: Will Smith, Yordano Ventura, Wil Myers, more (05/23)
Fantasy Baseball Roundtable: How trade talks develop (05/23)