The Verducci Effect as explained by Verducci, “Pitchers generally feel the effects of abusive increases in workload the next year, not the season in which they were pushed.” So to avoid this, clubs shutdown or skip young pitchers (this applies to those 25 years old and younger). In fantasy baseball, lots of championships are won in September, H2H and otherwise. If you have rookie pitchers, it’s imperative — ooh, strong word — that you pay attention to which pitchers are going to be shutdown or skipped. Anyway, here’s a list of some pitchers who may be shutdown in September:
Mat Latos – The Padres are playing right now so they can draft Nadir Bupkus in 2010, so there’s no reason to push Latos.
Brett Cecil – At about even with his workload from last year. Ricciardi will probably put the brakes on Cecil in September, if he can’t trade him for Pujols before then.
Josh Johnson – He’s pitched a lot of innings before, but not last year and he’s already complained of a weak shoulder this year. I don’t think he gets shutdown, but it might be an acorn to store over the winter in that giant cave of useless facts that sits on your shoulders.
Joba Chamberlain – Already 20 innings over from last year and the Yankees are already skipping him. “Joba Rules” currently are start every 9th day and give up four runs.
Clay Buchholz – Where there’s a Yankee mention, there needs to be a Red Sox mention. That’s in the Sports Blog Handbook.
Rick Porcello – He’s already being skipped and will probably get shutdown quick-fast in September.
Max Scherzer – Already flying past his workload from last year. The only thing that’s keeping his innings in check is his inability to get out of the 6th inning.
David Price – Nice to see he’ll be unusable next year too so I have a reason to avoid him in drafts.
Yovani Gallardo – His jump from 2008 to 2009 will be insane, but in 2007 he pitched almost 190 innings. So it shouldn’t be until late September when he’s technically in the red.
Brett Anderson/Dallas Braden/Trevor Cahill – Already over their workload from the previous year. Then again, Beane will probably pitch them through September then trade them for three number one picks.
Tommy Hanson – Has about 30 innings left before he’s in the red. If you own him, you’re already in the black, your leaguemates are blue and my bathroom walls are eggshell.
