One of my favorite things to do is to hide players, especially pitchers, for as long as I can in positions that they either don’t play or don’t play yet. This year there are numerous guys that have dual eligibility that are great fantasy options already – Hisashi Iwakuma and Kris Medlen to name the best two. I am talking about something different, like crayon sharpener in the back of the box different. Guys that have only RP eligibility to start the season that are speculated to open the season in the team’s starting rotation. Granted, you can only hide them for 5-10 starts based on your league settings, but that could be 2 months, which if your keeping track is 1/3 of the season. So have a peek at the guys that have RP, soon to have SP.
Brett Myers – Pitched well enough in a relief role last year for the Astros and Pale Hose that he found a spot in the Warriors of the Cuyahoga’s rotation. His ERA and WHIP leave little to be desired, but the Indians are kind of generating some noise this year as an upstart team with potential. As a late round pick up or first week spot starter you could do worse.
Alexi Ogando – “The Goiter” returns to the starting rotation after being banished to the bullpen due to overcrowding. In 2011 as a starter went 13-8 with decent numbers to make a 6th SP proud. Building arm strength back is only concern that I have as he was limited in innings last year, so that may limit him later in 2013.
Wade LeBlanc – The Marlins this year are going to be like that movie with the orangutan playing third base, coincidentally starring Joey Tribbiani. So chasing wins is going to literally be like chasing a kite in a tornado. Low K potential caps his draftability to mainly NL-only for now.
Andrew Cashner – Love the arm and the speculated talent if he can get his injury bug in order. Makes Brandon Morrow look like the iron man. He has the same potential for K’s and a nice home park to welcome him with warm oatmeal cookies and a city filled with seamen. Keep an eye on the thumb injury, as he could double up as a nice DL stash also.
Wade Davis – Carried Jimmy Shields bags to KC for him, which proves he is a nice guy. Shields refused to tip him which makes the bell hop union very angry. The thing that really jumps out to me is his huge jump in K/9 last year, 11.13 as a member of the pen in Tampa. Maybe a little post hype love and some magic 27 year can have him in the 8’s for K rate and make him fantasy useful.
Kyle McPherson – You can sell anything with a Mc on the front of it and be happy. So I am selling you the McPherson. It’s an all beef RH, fastball, curve, lettuce, change-up on a back end of the rotation bun. The injuries to other guys and his ability late last year are leading me to believe he takes the opportunity and makes Pirate fans forget about Morton and Karstens.
