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In the case of Florida’s
Ricky Nolasco(notes), looks are most definitely deceiving.
Over the first several weeks of the ’09 season, the
high-profiled righty tormented his faithful backers. Though he earned the win Opening Day, his five earned runs against the lowly Nationals set the stage for
his next nine appearances. By May 22nd, Nolasco’s ERA, which had pigged out on
Bartolo Burgers, fattened to a ghastly 9.07. His breakthrough campaign the
previous year quickly became a distant memory. For an unlucky pitcher (.336 BABIP in ’09) with excellent
peripherals, his early season demise was perplexing to say the least.
Mentally drained and physically exhausted, the beaten
starter was banished to Triple-A New Orleans in late May. Fredi Gonzalez blamed
the hurler’s horrific start on fastball timidity. Nolasco simply wasn’t
attacking the zone with the same zeal. Fantasy players
who shelled out exorbitant cash for his services wished to get sucked under by
a riptide.
Instead of festering on Bourbon Street, Nolasco emerged from his
minor league exile smelling fresher. Apparently, he finally realized he
was an ex-Cub.
Despite the occasional relapse, he was
arguably one of the most dominant pitchers in the National League from June 7th on compiling 11
wins, a 3.83 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and insane 10.08 K/9. His 16-strikeout fan-fest
against Atlanta
to end the season was spectacular. According to Baseball Monster, his sparkling
four-month line was the 14th-best among starters, ranking ahead of position
goliaths Justin Verlander(notes), Josh Beckett(notes) and Cliff Lee(notes).
This spring Nolasco carried momentum over. Underneath the
opaque shades, puffy jacket and dark cap (see above) was an intelligent machine
programmed to kill. Quite possibly the sharpest pitcher in Grapefruit action,
he mowed down hitters, totaling a ridiculous 21:1 K:BB split and 1.78 ERA in
25.1 innings. He was Velveeta cheese fudge nasty. The rising star credited pounding
the zone for his brilliant performance. From MLB.com:
"The biggest thing I learned as far as pitching
is to throw strikes, not walk guys. It just makes your job a million times
easier. It’s something I’ve learned and thought about since maybe I was
12…""As far as the innings go and the stats, I’m feeling good. They’re
playing good defense behind me. We are swinging the bats. All I can do is let
that carry over into the year and try to help this team win ballgames. It’s
been good. I’m just trying to keep the ball down and let the defense work for
me."
The control freak is so supremely confident he’s set a goal of 25 walks this
season, a feat only six pitchers with 200-plus innings have achieved since
1980. Jonathan Sanchez(notes) issues that many free passes over five starts.
But despite his sensational ’09 finish and otherworldly spring, many owners – presumably
frightened by his misleading 5.06 ERA – avoided Nolasco this past drafting
season. His resulting 97.67 ADP (SP22) tabbed him a friggin’ steal.
With his command refined, slider biting and low-90s fastball
again popping the mitt, Nolasco is on the precipice of an historic season.
Given the plentiful run support he should receive and the pitcher-friendly
specs of Sun Life Stadium, he could vie for the NL Cy Young. And fantasy
greatness.
Nolasco will be an indestructible mound "Terminator."
Fearless Forecast: 209.1 IP, 15 W, 3.69 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 193 K
—
DISCOUNT DEN
Quality commodity owned
in fewer than 20 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Juan Uribe(notes), SF,
2B/SS/3B (18 percent-owned): With Freddy Sanchez(notes) sidelined for the next
several weeks, the Giants’ super-utilityman is employable in deeper formats. Already
3-for-7 with a run and two RBI, Uribe possesses plus power and useful flexibility.
Coming off a career best HR/AB campaign (24.8, 16 HR in 398 at-bats), he will
be a cheap pop source at middle infield in April. Uribe sears, and he may
force his way into the lineup permanently.
OOH STREAM WEAVER…
Widely available plug
n’ play starter for dilligent daily leaguers.
Ian Kennedy(notes), Ari (4/7
vs. SD, seven percent-owned): Buried in the Yankees’ minor league system
after several miserable auditions, the former top prospect was provided a new
lease on life in Arizona
via the Granderson trade. After an eye-opening spring (25 IP, 2.88 ERA, 17:5 K:BB split), he’s a prime breakthrough candidate. The Padres are improved offensively, but will likely again
be bottom feeders in runs. San Diego’s
blank book on Kennedy certainly gives the hurler the advantage.
MIDDLE RELIEF MAGIC
ERA/WHIP savior, potential
saves/wins vulture.
Neftali Feliz(notes), Tex (80 percent owned): After a dismal Opening
Day effort – Mariah Carey may have better command – many have already bailed on
the hard-throwing reliever. But Texas’
primary setup man certainly has the stuff – he routinely flirts with triple digits – to develop into a reliable K-source,
and potential closer. Ignore the glitch. If Frank Francisco(notes) fails or falls – he
missed significant time last year – Neftali will log 12-15 saves. Feast on the
meek.
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Image courtesy of US Presswire