Spring Training Updates: Pitchers

Gio Gonzalez - A's
Stats: 1-2 - 2.96 ERA - 25 K's - 24.1 IP.
Outlook: The big prospect didn't do much in 2009, but he did post 109 K's with 98.2 IP.  He has the makings of a very good fantasy starting pitcher, but is still young and still pitches for the A's.

Francisco Liriano - Twins
Stats: 2-0 - 2.70 - 30 K's - 20 IP.
Outlook: He has been brilliant as a starter and talk still swirls about him closing.  Either Liriano may be back to his stud-self and you may want to try and swing a trade for him before the season starts.

Chris Young - Padres
Stats: 2-2 - 3.32 - 21.2 K's - 22 IP.
Outlook: He is a forgotten pitcher by many, but could be a nice veteran fantasy starter.  Plays in a pitchers park, gets K's and he looks healthy.

Dana Eveland - Blue Jays
Stats: 0-1 - 1.80 ERA - 21 K's - 25 IP.
Outlook: He struggled in 2009 after a solid rookie 2008 debut. He was one of the players acquired in the Dan Haren trade, so he has talent.  He is one to keep an eye on in deep leagues or AL-only for now.

Fausto Carmona - Indians
Stats: 3-0 - 1.38 - 12 K's - 26 IP.
Outlook: He has been a bum since winning 19 in 2007, but he looked sharp in Spring Training and is worth a shot if you need to fill in your last SP slot.  FYI: He is not much of a K-pitcher.

Ian Kennedy - Diamondbacks
Stats: 3-1 - 2.88 ERA - 17 K's - 25 IP.
Outlook: The one-time Yankee prospect is looking good for the D'backs and will be in the rotation.

Wade LeBlanc - Padres
Stats: 4-0 - 1.96 ERA - 17 K's - 23 IP.
Outlook: He played well after his call-up in 2009 and has kept it up in Spring Training. Padre pitchers are worth picking up and taken a shot at to improve you ERA and WHIP if he can get into the rotation at some point in 2010. 

Mat Latos - Padres
Stats: 3-0 - 1.59 ERA - 14 K's - 17 IP.
Outlook: Unlike LeBlanc, he is in the Padre starting rotation.  He played solid as a rookie in 2009 and maintains a solid K/9-ratio and that is enough to make as a low-end fantasy starter.

Don't Call Me 'Matt' Latos

Although I think his name needs another 'T', Mat Latos is starting to win me over. Latos is a candidate for the San Diego Padres starting rotation. This 22 year old, 6'6", 225 pound right hander seems to be close to locking up a starting job.

Latos has the 'stuff' to be a good if not great pitcher. My favorite thing that I have heard about him is that he throws around 97 and doesn't miss his targets. The phrase 'finesse pitcher' was used with him, but I don't know any finesse pitchers that throw high 90's. Tom Glavin (best finesse pitcher I've ever seen) would have been a 400 game winner if he threw that hard! Anyway, Latos is young, talented, and plays in the best pitcher's park in baseball. There is a lot to like here. So far this spring, he has pitched 9 innings, has 6 Ks, and has given up only 2 runs. A good start for sure.

What about the bad? Well, he is on a team that probably won't score too many runs. His wins won't necessarily reflect his talent. Also, at 22 years old he will probably be given an innings limit. More then likely he will lose starts at the end of the year. If you own him (and it's not a keeper league) look to trade him later in the season. Also, you can't ignore that in his 10 starts last year, he had 4 wins and 5 losses, a 4.62 ERA. Not great numbers, but hey, he's young. He did have 39 Ks in those 50 innings - respectable.

You have to imagine that he will improve this year. He likely will not reach his full potential, but can be a solid starter. I like him as a flier in mixed formats, and as a nice sleeper in NL only formats. Keeper leagues should give him a good look and probably a bench spot if you have one.

-Scout Monkey

( scout_monkey@gmx.com)

Prospect Watch: Mat Latos

Sunday marks the big league debut of the San Diego prospect Matt Latos. The 21 years old, 6'6" righty is looking to be a promising big league pitcher. With a fastball that tops around 97, a curve, a knuckle curve, and a change up, he has a good mix to cause a lot of trouble for opposing batters. Must be nice to be coming to one of the most pitcher friendly parks in all of baseball. Not so nice to have that offense to back up his starts. In AA Latos is 5-1 with a 1.91 ERA in nine starts. He has 46 strikeouts in 47 innings. Opponents are only hitting .192 against him. Down side? Young, inexperienced, concerns about mental toughness (he has done much to improve this view of him), and stamina - he has not thrown 100 innings in any year. He's worth a flyer in deeper leagues and NL only leagues. Keeper leagues should keep a close watch. -Scout Monkey

( scout_monkey@gmx.com)