Editors' fantasy baseball picks: Arms race aces
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March 24, 2009 @ 01:00:00
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By KFFL Staff
KFFL.com's editors name their top five fantasy baseball breakout candidates on the mound.
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Cory J. Bonini, Managing Editor
| Player |
POS |
TM |
The what for |
| Jonathan Broxton |
CL |
LAD |
The fireballer is now the full-time CL and should mow them down (11.48 K/9 in '08) with ease; could save close to 40 games. |
| Manny Parra |
SP |
MIL |
Started to break out last season before wearing down; other than Yovani Gallardo, someone has to win games in MIL, right? |
| Sean Marshall |
SP |
CHC |
The No. 5 starter could be a late-round source for cheap double-digit wins. |
| Joel Hanrahan |
RP |
WAS |
The converted starter has a fastball in the 90s and a quality slider. |
| Joba Chamberlain |
SP |
NYY |
Career 2.17 ERA with an 11.00 K/9; if healthy, he can dominate; if the Yanks let him loose, watch out! |
Nicholas Minnix, Managing Editor
| Player |
POS |
TM |
The what for |
| Josh M. Johnson |
SP |
FLA |
Phenomenal comeback from TJ surgery; refinement means remarkable improvement in control is real - PLUS upped velocity. |
| Johnny Cueto |
SP |
CIN |
Considered more talented than Edinson Volquez; expect some more inconsistency but also a lot more brilliance thanks to his K/9. |
| Ubaldo Jimenez |
SP |
COL |
Righty brings the HEAT but is also slowly reining in the free passes; he's about to turn the corner, as WBC and spring action suggest. |
| Joey Devine |
RP |
TEX |
Brad Ziegler? P-shah! Hope the elbow holds up, because, otherwise, he has all the skills to be the next dominant closer. |
| Paul Maholm |
SP |
PIT |
High groundball rate and a good home park for this pinpoint control artist; take the opportunity to notice his 'mate Zach Duke, too. |
Tim Heaney, Managing Editor
| Player |
POS |
TM |
The what for |
| Kevin Slowey |
SP |
MIN |
Pinpoint control and GB/FB ratio heading in the right direction; his increasing curveball use helps balance mediocre dominance. |
| Josh M. Johnson |
SP |
FLA |
Rapid recovery from TJ surgery gave him a 3.61 ERA last year; growth supported by a hot spring and increasing fastball velocity. |
| Matt Garza |
SP |
TB |
He found his heater last year and dominated thereafter (3.30 2nd half ERA); his gradual improvement spells breakout for 2009. |
| Frank Francisco |
RP |
TEX |
Spotlight on his K rate. He also made big control improvements last year, and the ragtag RPs behind him won't be in his way. |
| Jered Weaver |
SP |
LAA |
A "re-breakout" of sorts. His dominance returned last year, negating control issues that clouded his monstrous '06-'07 stock. |
Bryce McRae, Managing Editor
| Player |
POS |
TM |
The what for |
| Paul Maholm |
SP |
PIT |
Has rewarded the Bucs' faith in him with an outstanding spring (0.46 ERA, 0.55 WHIP); might be undervalued toiling in Pittsburgh. |
| Manny Parra |
SP |
MIL |
The dominance is there (8.10 career K/9), now he just needs to get his control under ... well, control; hasn't disappointed this spring. |
| Jason Motte |
RP |
STL |
Hasn't won the closer's job yet, but he has the electric stuff needed for it; be wary of Tony La Russa's love of musical closers. |
| Chris Volstad |
SP |
FLA |
2005 first-round pick impressed with a 2.88 ERA last year; his 2009 spring has been solid, just look elsewhere for K's. |
| Josh M. Johnson |
SP |
FLA |
Post-TJ surgery, Johnson managed a 3.54 ERA, 77 K's in 87 1/3 innings last year; his velocity has increased after the surgery, too. |
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