{"id":570391,"date":"2010-05-19T13:43:39","date_gmt":"2010-05-19T17:43:39","guid":{"rendered":"urn:newsml:sports.yahoo,yhoo:20050301:fantasy,article,yhoo-ept_sports_fantasy_experts-242154:1"},"modified":"2010-05-19T13:43:39","modified_gmt":"2010-05-19T17:43:39","slug":"flames-john-ely-can-cure-pitching-woes-deadly-diseases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/570391","title":{"rendered":"Flames: John Ely can cure pitching woes, deadly diseases"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>
<\/p>\n

Want to slam the Noise for his Clayton Kershaw<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span>
\n analysis or misguided projections? Humiliate him in 140 characters or
\nless on Twitter<\/a>. And click
\nhere to follow
\nRoto Arcade on Facebook<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Setting and following lofty expectations for previously
\nunseasoned commodities is typically a dangerous practice. Hype trains routinely
\nderail. Just ask the guy in your league still waiting for the Chris
\nDavis’<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> 50-homer binge (The Noise reluctantly raises hand). <\/p>\n

But the Dodgers’ John Ely<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> is one such product worth licking
\na poisonous frog to acquire. <\/p>\n

In a city known for cultivating buzz, and
\nRookie of the Year candidates, frenzied Dodger fans have again reached a
\nfevered pitch. Move over Fernando and Manny, Elymania has officially arrived in
\nHollywood<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Acquired last December from the White Sox in the Juan Pierre<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> deal, the unheralded prospect has
\nblown into Los Angeles
\nwith the strength of the Santa Anas. Over 25.2 innings, he’s surrendered a
\nrespectable 10 runs (3.51 ERA) with, get this, a 25:3 K:BB split. Amazingly, Ross Grimsley in 1971 is the only other pitcher since 1952 who has
\npitched at least six innings without walking a batter three times in his first
\nfour games. <\/p>\n

Naturally, hyperbole has replaced smog over the LA skyline…<\/a><\/p>\n

Exaggeration No. 1:
\nEly was spawned from a chance encounter between Greg Maddux<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> and Zeus. <\/em><\/p>\n

For decades Maddux was Picasso with a glove. Despite a pedestrian
\nfastball, his ability to alter speeds, generate movement and paint corners made
\nhim arguably the greatest pitcher of the 90s. Often it seemed he could hurl a
\ngerbil into an empty beer bottle from 60 feet away. <\/p>\n

Though not nearly as talented, Ely evokes a similar style.
\nHis mid-to-high 80s fastball is often deceptive, especially when combined with
\noffspeed junk. Many times this young season, he’s humiliated opponents mixing
\nfastballs with changeups – his best offering (highlights here<\/a>). <\/p>\n

On the farm,
\nthe rookie’s command wasn’t nearly as sharp (4.02 BB\/9). Still, many scouts
\nwidely believed he would develop into a control freak. Most probably never figured it would come this quickly. <\/p>\n

Exaggeration No. 2:
\nNot even "The Big One" could rattle Ely’s confidence<\/em>. <\/p>\n

Poised on the mound, the 24-year-old believes he can
\ndominate anyone. Despite being more of a finesse pitcher, he attacks hitters
\naggressively, coaxing abundant weak contact (1.16 GB\/FB). From ESPN Los Angeles<\/a>: <\/p>\n

\n

"I’m just out here doing what I have always done,"
\nEly said. "I just have complete confidence in what I bring to the table
\nand the fact that if I execute my pitches the way I want to, I feel like I have
\nthe advantage. That is the way you have to feel every time out. If you doubt
\nyourself, you’re going to give up hits…" <\/p>\n

"We knew what we were getting in Ely, but we never
\nexpected to see him here this quickly," Dodgers general manager Ned
\nColletti said. "He knows how to pitch. This is the way he has pitched his
\nwhole life. From my first conversation with him the night we acquired him [on
\nDec. 17], you could tell there was a specialness about him." <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

As a result of his blue collar approach and intense
\nattitude, Ely simply wins, which he’s done often since his high school days in
\nsuburban Chicago.
\nDouble-digit Ws at the big league level could become routine.  <\/p>\n

Exaggeration No. 3:
\nEly is so fantastically attractive Alyssa Milano is contemplating divorce.<\/em> <\/p>\n

The smokin’ Dodgers fanatic<\/a> may not be the only one. Mixed
\nleaguers who’ve suffered through horrific starts by Josh Beckett<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> Javier
\nVazquez<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> and Jake Peavy<\/a>(notes)<\/a><\/span> have understandably sought legal counsel. Because of his
\nplentiful offensive support, division and pitcher friendly surroundings, there’s
\nplenty to like. After another mesmerizing start or two, Wooderson wigs<\/a> (Sans
\n‘stache, Ely bears a remarkable resemblance) might soon replace Manny dreads in
\nleftfield. "All right" feelings will surely follow. <\/p>\n

However, in this day and age of advanced scouting, opponents
\ncan masterfully outmaneuver even the super, let alone the marginally, talented.
\nAs with any inexperienced player, it’s important to keep in mind turbulence should be expected. But if he continues to exhibit Nolasco-esque accuracy,
\nbanner back of the rotation numbers could be achieved in 12-team mixed leagues.
\nRight now, he’s slightly more rosterable than fellow NL rookie Mike Leake<\/a>(notes)<\/a>.<\/span> <\/p>\n

Buying into hype can often lead owners down Disappointment Street.
\nBut Ely’s strong peripherals, above average pedigree and ideal pitching
\nenvironment make the eight-percent owned starter well worth the risk. <\/p>\n

Fearless Forecast
\n(rest of season): 131 IP, 7 W, 3.58 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 116 K<\/strong> <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Discount Den <\/strong>
\nQuality commodity owned
\nin fewer than 20 percent of Yahoo! leagues<\/em>. <\/p>\n

\n<\/a>Corey Patterson<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> Bal,
\nOF (one-percent owned)<\/strong>: It seems laughable writing anything positive about Peppermint Patterson. After all, the only accolade he’s recently earned was an All-Handsome Man nomination in 2006<\/a>. But Seattle’s discarded trash – Patterson failed
\nto make the team this spring – is treasure for the flightless Orioles.
\nBaltimore’s latest leadoff man has scorched since his promotion on May 12
\ngoing 8-for-26 with two homers, two RBI, eight runs and two steals. Despite a
\nwoeful .291 OBP, Patterson, at 30, still boasts NASCAR wheels. In his last
\nseason with the O’s in ’07, he swiped 37 bags. Owners with a need for speed
\nshould invest, but keep in mind a BA freefall is likely. <\/p>\n

Ooh Stream Weaver…<\/strong>
\nWidely available plug
\nn’ play starter heading into the weekend.<\/em> <\/p>\n

\n<\/a>Jason Vargas<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> Sea
\n(5\/20 vs. Tor, 21-percent owned): <\/strong>Quietly the Seattle southpaw has amassed sensational
\nnumbers. In seven starts, he’s accumulated a 2.93 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with three
\nwins. An increased reliance on changeups has led to a spike in K\/9 and
\ngroundball percentage. However, his 13.2 line-drive rate and .231 BABIP suggest
\nan ERA correction will be coming soon. However, don’t expect a regression against the
\nfree-swinging Jays. Collectively, the Canadian Birds are batting .244. Vargas’
\nstellar stretch of quality starts at Safeco (2.00 ERA, .163 BAA) should
\ncontinue.
<\/strong><\/p>\n

Middle Relief Magic <\/strong>
\nERA\/WHIP savior,
\npotential saves\/wins vulture<\/em>. <\/p>\n

\n<\/a>Clay Hensley<\/a>(notes)<\/a>,<\/span> Fla (three-percent
\nowned)<\/strong>: Playing in front of mosquito hoards instead of fans, the converted starter
\nhas pitched brilliantly in middle relief. Over 21.2 IP, he’s notched an
\nuncharacteristic 12.05 K\/9 (career 6.12). Looking under the hood, his heavy
\nchange\/curve use is responsible for the strikeouts jump. Hitters have nibbled
\nat his offspeed offerings, especially outside, with minimal success. Because
\nhe misses bats and induces numerous groundball outs, spotless performances
\ncould easily continue. He’s the super absorbent Band-Aid to apply to a bleeding staff.   <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Images courtesy of US Presswire\/MLB.com <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Want to slam the Noise for his Clayton Kershaw(notes) analysis or misguided projections? Humiliate him in 140 characters or less on Twitter. And click here to follow Roto Arcade on Facebook. Setting and following lofty expectations for previously unseasoned commodities is typically a dangerous practice. Hype trains routinely derail. Just ask the guy in your […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5446,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-570391","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/570391","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5446"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=570391"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/570391\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=570391"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=570391"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=570391"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}