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Eric Mack

'09 Draft Prep: The age that's all the rage

By | Senior Fantasy Writer


If you are like us -- intensely competitive -- you do the same exercise we do after every baseball season. You scratch your head and say, "I would have won my league if I had so-and-so."

Or better yet, you pat yourself on the back with a: "So-and-so won me a Fantasy Baseball title and some drinking money."

You play to win the game, as Herm Edwards so eloquently put it. You don't just play to play it.

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Choosing players who outperform their draft position or auction dollar is the No. 1 objective, in any Fantasy sport. That is why we are here; to help you find those individuals.

The owner that won your league a year ago was either a scoundrel who found the most suckers in lopsided trades during the season, or the genius who unearthed the most gems on Draft Day -- maybe even a combination of both. Since you cannot count on finding suckers -- and frankly shouldn't be out to rip off your friends or leaguemates -- we try to help you find those potential sleepers and breakouts on your own.

Start with players in their prime, our favorite Fantasy rule of thumb.

Obvious, right? Not necessarily ...

Name the Fantasy MVPs that helped win Fantasy Baseball leagues last year?

Got 'em?

Did you say Josh Hamilton and CC Sabathia, perhaps?

CBSSports.com's Winningest players
Rank Player WPCT
1 Tim Lincecum .561
2 Cliff Lee .560
3 Josh Hamilton .558
4 CC Sabathia .556
5 Rich Harden .548

You should have. That pitcher and hitter weren't picked atop their positions last spring, but they were among the top four winningest players in CBSSports.com's Fantasy Baseball Head-to-Head leagues. Save for sophomore sensation and NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum (.561 winning percentage) and injury-risk sleeper/comeback player of the year Cliff Lee (.560), Hamilton (.558) and Sabathia (.556) won the most games for Fantasy owners on our website last year.

None of the top five biggest winners, including injury-risk sleeper Rich Harden, were Fantasy first-rounders. Only Sabathia was rated remotely close.

Yet, some of the most indelible images of 2008 were provided by Hamilton -- hearing his name chanted during the Home Run Derby at old Yankee Stadium -- and big Sabathia, fist pumping and exulting as he pitched (on three days rest yet again) the Brewers to the postseason for the first time in ages.

Know what they had in common?

They both were 27 years old last season. It is not a coincidence to us.

All-27 breakthrough team
POS Player TM
C Ryan Doumit PIT
1B Conor Jackson ARI
2B Rickie Weeks MIL
3B Kevin Kouzmanoff SD
SS Alexei Ramirez CHW
OF Grady Sizemore CLE
OF Jason Kubel MIN
OF Rocco Baldelli BOS
SP Adam Wainwright STL
RP Tony A. Pena ARI

Age 27 is a great way to pinpoint a breakthrough. Were you surprised by the Rays last season? Maybe you shouldn't have been. The average age of the AL champion was 27.

The theory behind breakouts at that age is based on medical research that suggests a man's body reaches its physical peak at that point. Also, after years of seasoning and pro experience, everything comes together for career highs across the board.

It was certainly the case for Hamilton and the second-half world-beater Sabathia. They were good players going in, sure, but great ones coming out.

Moneymakers, in fact.

OK, hindsight is 20-20 and other 27-year-olds like Alex Rios, Curtis Granderson and Ryan Garko didn't quite live up to lofty expectations. There are exceptions to every rule. And some, including A's GM Billy Beane, define a player's prime as 26 to 31 years of age, a year earlier than we do.

"But you're right there; I am 100 percent with you on that," he told us last September.

You can't argue with Beane, or nature. The strategy of picking players entering their prime physical years is a great one if you are trying to choose between a veteran in decline or a comparable player statistically who is now just 27 and yet to be a true MVP (see No. 1 below).

Here are our top 10 27-year-olds to target on Draft Day:

Note: All of the players mentioned here are either 27 years old on opening day or will turn that age during the season.

1. Grady Sizemore
Outfielder | Cleveland Indians
27th birthdate: Aug. 2, 2009
Career highs by category: .290 AVG, 33 HR, 90 RBI, 134 R, 38 SB, 390 OBP, .533 SLUG

OK, this selection of a sure-fire Fantasy first-rounder atop this list looks like a copout. Of course Sizemore is going to have a big year, right?

The point is just how big.

"The sky is the limit for him," teammate Travis Hafner says. "There is really nothing on a baseball field that he can't do. He has already had some phenomenal seasons, but I think he just can keep getting better and better.

"He's put together pretty well. ... All kinds of athleticism in him."

Look at his career highs and compare those to the projections of our No. 1 player in our 2009 Top 300, Hanley Ramirez: (.308-31-75-120-40-.399-.553). Since Sizemore is just now reaching his prime, you could argue he will be the best pick of the first round in all leagues. Our modest Sizemore projections (.279-30-80-115-35-.378-.491) slot him sixth in our Rotisserie-leaning Top 300 -- behind only Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Jose Reyes, David Wright and Albert Pujols.

Sizemore is better than we are giving him credit for, especially at this age. We said years ago, whether you were listening or not, when he turns 27, he will be a 40-40 man, an MVP candidate and a potential No. 1 overall pick. Like Beane suggested, it could have happened in his age-26 season as Sizemore was cruising at last year's All-Star break (.273-23-54-60-22-.374-.539).

It didn't.

The Indians struggled in the second half, mostly due to the losses of Victor Martinez and Hafner, the guys Sizemore sets the table for from his leadoff spot. The Indians were well out of the race and, with a noncontender, Sizemore went just .261-10-36-41-16 after the break, falling short of that 40-40 pace he was on.

"Last year, with me and Vic out of the lineup for a good part of the year, he was the one guy that you didn't want to beat you," Hafner said. "He wasn't seeing the pitches that he normally does. I think with me and Vic back that's going to make a big difference for him. He is a guy you don't want to pitch around and put him on base because he's going to steal 40-50 bases as well."

While Sizemore leads off for the Indians and doesn't get the benefit of as many runners in scoring position as some of Fantasy's other sluggers and RBI kings, it cannot be overlooked he does get the added at-bats of hitting first in the order. He was third in baseball in plate appearances in 2008 for an offense that vastly underachieved. His past three seasons of plate appearances rank in the top 50 of all time. That is a lot of opportunities to score Fantasy points, or tally for Rotisserie leagues.

"I think his average will continue to get better and better," Hafner said of his table-setter Sizemore, whose average last season was weighted down by hitting .224 vs. lefties. "If you want to hit .300, you're going to have to hit left-handers."

You heard it here first: Sizemore will be more consistent at age 27, the Indians' supporting cast will be far better and Sizemore will be someone we consider ranking No. 1 overall next spring ... just as we projected years ago.

Everyday health, immense talent, great opportunity and the prime age make for an outstanding combination.

2. Ian Kinsler
Second baseman | Texas Rangers
27th birthdate: June 22, 2009
Career highs by category: .319 AVG, 20 HR, 71 RBI, 102 R, 26 SB, .375 OBP, .517 SLUG

When Kinsler was getting started, we called him the next Chase Utley -- the gold standard of second basemen for this generation, perhaps any generation. But Kinsler got started a lot younger, while Utley didn't breakthrough as a Fantasy star until he was 27, going .291-28-105-93-.376-.540 in 2005. Utley has continued to get better ever since.

Kinsler might even be better, in addition to being more accomplished at a similar stage of their careers. Kinsler has more steals potential of course, but he could very well prove to be a .300-30-100-100-30 star the year he is turning the prime age. This one.

Don't forget Kinsler's first half a year ago (.337-14-58-84-23-.397-.548). Those are Utley-plus numbers. If not for Kinsler's injury-plagued second half of .258-4-13-18-3-.300-.417, we might have been inclined to rank him atop the second base position this spring -- especially since Utley is coming off offseason hip surgery that could affect the start of his season.

As it is, Kinsler is a close No. 2 at second base but will be available a round or two after the more proven MVP candidate Utley goes off the board, injury risk and all. It is hard to find bargains in the top 25 hitters in Fantasy, but Kinsler can be one for you. That hitter's ballpark in Texas and the protection of Hamilton certain weigh in his favor.

3. Alexei Ramirez
Shortstop | Chicago White Sox
27th birthdate: Sept. 22, 2008
Career highs by category: .290 AVG, 21 HR, 77 RBI, 65 R, 13 SB, .317 OBP, .475 SLUG

Ramirez is one of the two-time 27-year-old breakthrough candidates, having celebrated his 27th birthday during last season and entering a season at 27 for the first time. It was quite a breakthrough for the Cuban defector, surging to Fantasy prominence after an April where he wallowed on the bench at .138-0-2-1-0-.138-.207.

You never know what you're going to get from players who don't have a minor league track record. Starting in May, we got quite a bit from Ramirez and might even get more this go around, especially since he is slated to pick up the added position eligibility at shortstop.

Merely writing this story led us to upgrade Ramirez's projections from being a top 60 hitter to one in the top 45. Take a look at Dustin Pedroia's Rookie of the Year campaign in 2007. He started real slow for a month and a half, only to take off and surge the rest of the way -- much like Ramirez did.

The Red Sox stayed patient with Pedroia and those splits post-slow start wound up being the type of numbers he posted throughout his 2008 AL MVP season. Now, we aren't saying Ramirez will have the same exponential Fantasy value growth, but if he truly is the player we saw after April, his full-season numbers could amount to a .300-25-100-100-20 monster.

Certainly a great consolation if you miss out on Sizemore, Utley, Kinsler or Pedroia in rounds 1-4.

4. Carlos Quentin
Outfielder | Chicago White Sox
27th birthdate: Aug. 28, 2009
Career highs by category: .288 AVG, 36 HR, 100 RBI, 96 R, 7 SB, .394 OBP, .571 SLUG

Someone in Arizona (everyone?) needs to be fired for letting this one get away before he was 27. The White Sox got a steal with this slugger who looks like a perennial MVP candidate. Had Quentin not gotten hurt last August, he would have won Pedroia's MVP.

Quentin came out of the gate mashing and he would have challenged those CBSSports.com Fantasy winning percentage leaders we talked about above. Instead, his loss crushed many Fantasy teams down the stretch.

We won't hold it against him, but we are guessing the Fantasy public will. See, the difference between Hamilton and Quentin at the outfield position at the time of the broken wrist was indeterminable. But this spring, and in our projections, Hamilton is a sure-fire first-rounder, while Quentin might be considered a reach in Round 2.

Perception might be the only reason we have Quentin so far away from Hamilton in our rankings. If you miss out on Hamilton in Round 1, you can get Quentin in Round 2 or maybe even Round 3 -- likely with the same kind of production.

5. Conor Jackson
First baseman | Arizona Diamondbacks
27th birthdate: May 7, 2009
Career highs by category: .300 AVG, 15 HR, 79 RBI, 87 R, 10 SB, .376 OBP, .468 SLUG

The top four on this list will be highly sought in all Fantasy leagues. They pretty obviously can carry a Fantasy team. Jackson, not so much.

This is where the 27-year-old strategy can be genius, finding a diamond in the rough. Jackson might not look like much, especially at his deep position that is filled with big-time sluggers, but he has far more power and run production potential than he has shown. Remember, when moving through the D-Backs system, there was a debate whether Jackson or Quentin would be the better masher in the major leagues. The D-Backs picked Jackson and sent Quentin out.

Clearly, that is a big fat oops right now, but Jackson can catch up now that he is reaching his prime. There were points last season Jackson actually looked like a 30-homer slugger. He went .348-5-24-24 in April and .343-5-15-20 in July. Granted he only hit only two homers in the season's other four months -- one in May, one in June and none in August or September -- but five homers a month is a pace of 30.

Baseball history has taught us that streaky young hitters become big-time stars later, because hot streaks get longer and cold streaks get shorter with experience.

Also, Jackson is a master at working the count, drawing walks and posting a strong OPS. You know all the Sabermetrics that say OPS equals run production, but Jackson was explaining his power surges by pitch recognition. When you take a lot of pitches and become more established in the league, you can sit on fastballs to hammer for homers.

We project just .287-15-91-85-5, because he has yet to prove consistent enough, but the hunch here is he proves to be a bargain in the middle rounds and proves more potent in the power categories than ever before.

6. Kelly Johnson
Second baseman | Atlanta Braves
27th birthdate: Feb. 22, 2009
Career highs by category: .287 AVG, 16 HR, 69 RBI, 91 R, 11 SB, .375 OBP, .457 SLUG

The Braves finally let Johnson play vs. left-handed pitching last season and all he did was hit .333 with a .366 OBP -- not too shabby. Granted, he hit just one of his 12 homers off lefties, but the point is Johnson is a burgeoning OPS hog hitting his prime and on the verge of becoming one of the game's stars at a thin position in Fantasy.

Like so many inexperienced hitters -- Johnson has only had two full seasons -- he is a bit streaky. As we said, that is good news and could mean big things in his prime.

It hasn't proven to be true yet, but Johnson is a better pick than Mark DeRosa and maybe even Robinson Cano -- two second basemen sure to be scooped up before Johnson. Our Johnson projections of .273-15-70-82-9-.355-.440 slot him 11th at his position, but frankly they are far too modest. He has the talent to go .300-20-90-100-15, which would make him a Fantasy MVP when you consider his modest draft position.

7. Rickie Weeks
Second baseman | Milwaukee Brewers
27th birthdate: Sept. 13, 2009
Career highs by category: .279 AVG, 16 HR, 46 RBI, 89 R, 25 SB, .374 OBP, .432 SLUG

Hmm ... this could be a really big year for breakthrough second basemen, eh? Four of the top seven 27-year-olds are second base eligible (although Ramirez is moving to shortstop).

You can player-hate on Weeks because of his strikeout rate, suspect defense and .245 career average, but you should not completely forget how big of a talent he is. The two-time NCAA Division I batting title winner can hit for a better average, and his Triple-A manager once went on record as saying Weeks has better power than eventual 50-homer man Prince Fielder. Oh, Weeks can also run.

In the not-so-impressive prediction category, when Weeks was called up, we said he could be a .300-30-100-100-30 player in his prime. We are still waiting, but only now is Weeks finally near that point.

Weeks has had wrist issues that hindered him the past few years, but he turned the corner after the All-Star break last year. After a hitting .217 in the first half, Weeks posted a more respectable .263 average, .378 OBP and .451 SLUG after the break. Those are reachable levels that can make Weeks a top five Fantasy second baseman because of his rare speed-and-power mix.

8. J.J. Hardy
Shortstop | Milwaukee Brewers
27th birthdate: Aug. 19, 2009
Career highs by category: .283 AVG, 26 HR, 80 RBI, 89 R, 2 SB, .343 OBP, .478 SLUG

Sticking with Brewers, middle infielders and notoriously streaky hitters, Hardy is every bit of those and capable of putting an even bigger year together. It is likely your opposing Fantasy owners think Hardy has reached his potential and is ready to plateau, but since when is a 26-year-old ready to level off?

Hardy had just two homers through June 1 of last year, but he surged with an amazing nine in July alone. He is a four-homers-a-month guy ordinarily, but do you remember his .280-18-54-48 first half in 2007, one that featured a six-homer April and a nine-homer May?

His homers come in bunches and we will continue to beat you over the head with the rule of thumb that streaky young hitters become big-time stars in their prime -- Jeff Kent-style. Kent once went from a 15-20 homer guy to an annual MVP candidate, not to mention a future Hall of Famer.

We project Hardy as a top 10 Fantasy shortstop at .272-24-75-93-4-.331-.447, but we would not be surprised in the least to see him produce more consistently great numbers and go .275-30-100-100. Those numbers would make Derek Jeter look like Rey Ordonez -- and you just know Jeter is going to go around five rounds earlier in most leagues on name recognition alone.

9. Jhonny Peralta
Shortstop | Cleveland Indians
27th birthdate: May 28, 2009
Career highs by category: .292 AVG, 24 HR, 89 RBI, 104 R, 4 SB, .366 OBP, .473 SLUG

It is pretty remarkable that Peralta is only now reaching his prime. It seems he has been around for years -- and productive at that.

When V-Mart and Hafner went down last season and Sizemore was tailing off a bit, Peralta became the heart of the Indians' order, becoming a rare shortstop that hits cleanup. There aren't many shortstops in baseball that hit cleanup right now, or in history for that matter.

Peralta thrived in the cleanup spot, going .300-12-58-63-1-.360-.506 in his 84 games there. Also, his batting average jumped from .261 before the break to .295 after.

We slot Peralta just behind Hardy in our top 10 shortstop rankings, but Peralta hits with more runners in scoring position, making it more likely he can tally 100-100. He has reached 89-104 and a full year of health from V-Mart and Hafner should only help matters.

"We got a lot of guys that can drive 80 to 90-plus runs in," Hafner said.

10. Jason Kubel
Outfielder | Minnesota Twins
27th birthdate: May 25, 2009
Career highs by category: .273 AVG, 20 HR, 78 RBI, 74 R, 4 SB, .336 OBP, .471 SLUG

Kubel was a prospect arguably on the level of AL MVP runner-up Justin Morneau when he was coming up through the Twins system, but a serious knee reconstruction curtailed his development. Only in the middle of last season did he finally look like a solid big league regular.

Kubel had a huge June, going .312-6-15-21-0-.409-.636. Those are Morneau splits.

"I know those were the best numbers I have had so far, but I know I can do a lot better than that," Kubel said. "It took me a while to get adjusted. I feel a lot more comfortable about it now and I'm just looking forward to putting up better and better numbers."

Now, Kubel might never hit more than 30 homers or .300 -- mostly because of his Sizemore-like struggles against left-handed pitching (.232) -- but his projections will get him picked real late at the deep outfield position. With his first 500 at-bat season possible in his age-27 season, Kubel can go .275-25-90-90. That makes him a bargain in the late rounds.

While these 10 are favorites to have career years, the list of 27-year-olds is quite large. Here is the list and sortable career stats of players who will be 27 at some point during the 2009 season, broken down by hitters and pitchers. You should print this list out, highlight these players on your cheatsheet and target them periodically during your draft. The odds are in their favor to be their best yet and outperform their Draft Day value.

27-year-old hitter stats
PlayerD.O.BGABAVGHRRBIRSBOBPSLUG
Anderson, Brian N.3/11/1982269597.22118627610.277.379
Anderson, Drew T.6/9/198199.1110030.200.111
Anderson, Josh8/10/198261203.3153233111.364.419
Aubrey, Michael4/15/19821545.2002320.280.333
Baker, Jeff6/21/1981219538.2622285916.319.468
Baldelli, Rocco9/25/19814471736.2815223425558.325.445
Barden, Brian4/2/19813244.1820160.217.205
Barton, Brian4/25/198282153.268213233.354.392
Bellorin, Edwin2/21/198265.2000000.200.200
Betancourt, Yuniesky1/31/19825251864.2822518023021.305.400
Betemit, Wilson11/2/19814961098.260421511455.325.437
Bourgeois, Jason1/4/198263.3330000.333.667
Brown, Dusty6/19/198200---0000------
Brown, Matt8/8/19821524.0420301.148.083
Buscher, Brian4/18/1981103300.280657371.335.373
Cantu, Jorge1/30/19825141927.275743042428.317.460
Carroll, Brett10/3/19824966.15203150.200.197
Carter, Chris9/16/1982918.3330350.400.333
Casto, Kory12/8/198182217.194219161.264.276
Chavez, Angel7/22/19811019.2630110.263.316
Choo, Shin-Soo7/13/1982159509.2911794979.377.493
Coats, Buck6/9/19824657.1931341.242.333
Costa, Shane12/12/1981154421.254542492.289.366
Crawford, Carl8/5/19819253786.29370434559302.330.435
D'Antona, Jamie5/12/19821817.1760120.263.176
Dickerson, Chris4/10/198231102.304615205.413.608
Doumit, Ryan4/3/19813351063.278361531445.341.456
Duncan, Chris5/5/1981302887.266501431394.353.487
Ellis, A.J.4/9/198143.0000010.000.000
Ethier, Andre4/10/19824201368.2994419619011.364.482
Evans, Terry1/19/1982811.0911230.231.364
Fox, Jake7/20/1982714.1430130.200.286
Francisco, Ben10/23/1981146509.2671866754.329.446
Frandsen, Kevin5/24/1982151358.254738384.318.363
Fuld, Sam11/20/1981146.0000030.333.000
Gathright, Joey4/27/19814081145.26319616878.328.304
Gonzalez, Adrian5/8/19825382024.282973253110.349.494
Gonzalez, Andy12/15/198177213.188313201.291.258
Gwynn, Tony K.10/4/1982130242.2480152314.300.298
Hamilton, Josh5/21/1981246922.3005117715012.370.538
Hardy, J.J.8/19/19824561661.270642182265.329.446
Hart, Corey3/24/19824061412.2775521220353.323.485
Hill, Aaron3/21/19824751720.2842818822515.339.409
Hollimon, Michael6/14/19821123.2611240.280.565
Huber, Justin7/1/198271159.220215141.273.302
Infante, Omar12/26/19815901909.2603519423734.304.391
Jackson, Conor5/7/19824541525.2874422222613.367.443
Johnson, Kelly2/22/19823841358.2733717722322.356.440
Kinsler, Ian6/22/19823711424.2905218726360.360.473
Koshansky, Joe5/26/19823550.18031050.236.440
Kouzmanoff, Kevin7/25/19813151164.264441691321.311.442
Kubel, Jason5/25/19823651161.268431761568.326.445
Lucy, Donny8/8/1982815.2000000.200.200
Macri, Matt5/29/19821834.3241431.361.441
Maier, Mitch6/30/198239104.26909120.309.298
Mather, Joe7/23/198254133.241818201.306.474
Maysonet, Edwin10/17/198177.1430000.143.143
McLouth, Nate10/28/19814361305.2615116024557.338.461
Melillo, Kevin5/14/198210---00001.000---
Metcalf, Travis8/17/198280217.2491135360.300.475
Molina, Gustavo2/24/19821934.1180110.162.147
Molina, Yadier7/13/19825291734.262292091444.316.360
Montanez, Luis12/15/198138112.295314180.316.446
Morneau, Justin5/15/19817322681.2811335233934.348.498
Morse, Mike3/22/1982107300.300337334.365.397
Morton, Colt4/10/19821016.0630120.158.063
Murphy, David10/18/1981174542.2861890857.334.480
Murton, Matt10/3/1981317900.288281061278.354.438
Napoli, Mike10/31/1981252714.2484612512614.362.493
Nix, Jayson8/26/19822256.1250221.234.161
Ortmeier, Daniel5/11/1981124255.255624255.309.412
Pagan, Angel7/2/1981179409.2599526112.316.406
Palmisano, Lou9/16/198200---0000------
Paulino, Ronny4/21/19813041021.278191281022.331.382
Pena, Brayan1/7/198271127.228212160.252.315
Pena, Wily Mo1/23/19825601590.2537722519612.307.447
Peralta, Jhonny5/28/19826812519.268853303838.335.437
Phillips, Brandon6/28/19815832177.2627428529584.308.425
Powell, Landon3/19/198200---0000------
Quentin, Carlos8/28/1982268875.2625016314810.359.505
Quintanilla, Omar10/24/1981158442.226230533.278.301
Quiroz, Guillermo11/29/198195234.201226181.266.269
Raburn, Ryan4/17/1981153349.255848587.306.407
Ramirez, Alexei9/22/1981136480.29021776513.317.475
Reed, Jeremy6/15/19813361061.257119813119.314.365
Reyes, Argenis9/25/198249110.21813132.259.245
Ruggiano, Justin4/12/19825290.200210112.250.311
Ryan, Brendan3/26/1982147377.2654226014.326.345
Sandoval, Freddy8/16/198266.1670000.286.167
Santos, Omir4/29/19811110.1000000.100.100
Sizemore, Grady8/2/19826822695.279111349479117.370.491
Smith, Seth9/30/198274116.284415171.366.466
Snelling, Chris12/3/198193225.244720312.360.400
Snyder, Brad5/25/198200---0000------
Stansberry, Craig3/8/19822323.3480350.423.391
Stavinoha, Nick5/3/19822957.1930440.217.211
Stewart, Chris2/19/19822448.1880340.235.229
Taveras, Willy12/25/19815411973.2837109295169.331.337
Teahen, Mark9/6/19815321956.2684724327434.332.421
Tolbert, Matt5/4/198241113.28306187.322.389
Velez, Eugenio5/16/1982112286.2621323719.303.392
Weeks, Rickie9/13/19824451615.2455115830678.352.406
Whitesell, Josh4/14/198277.2861110.444.714
Willits, Reggie5/30/1981246583.27304310733.379.319
Young, Delwyn6/30/1982110165.267310141.331.394
Zobrist, Ben5/26/1981145478.2221557507.279.370

27-year-old pitcher stats
PlayerD.O.BGGSINNWLERASOBBWHIPBAA
Aardsma, David12/27/19811280144 2/31035.29139901.652.269
Accardo, Jeremy12/8/19811730178 1/37163.99132571.262.247
Acosta, Manny5/1/198167076 2/3463.1753401.317.223
Baker, Scott9/19/1981787645328244.233371011.294.274
Banks, Josh7/18/1982201592 2/3364.9545341.500.294
Bass, Brian1/6/198249489 1/3444.8445311.444.280
Bergmann, Jason9/25/19819550339 1/310195.042571271.397.265
Bisenius, Joe9/18/1982202000.00322.000.286
Blackburn, Nick2/24/1982393320511134.26104411.385.296
Bonine, Eddie6/6/19815526 2/3215.40951.538.333
Bonser, Boof10/14/19819660391 2/318255.123171251.448.281
Boyer, Blaine7/11/19811260115 2/3685.06103441.409.267
Bruney, Brian2/17/19821861182 1/311104.341821301.547.228
Buchholz, Taylor10/13/19811262727318214.42194721.205.249
Burnett, Sean9/17/19827113128 1/3664.9172621.597.288
Burres, Brian4/8/19817939258 2/313185.881651171.655.297
Burton, Jared6/2/19811010101 2/3932.9294471.289.224
Cabrera, Daniel5/28/1981147146841 1/348595.056514781.549.259
Cabrera, Fernando11/16/19811250168 2/3875.02185921.506.255
Coke, Phil7/19/198212014 2/3100.61142.682.160
Cordero, Chad3/18/19823050320 2/320142.782921171.198.222
Crain, Jesse7/5/19812490262 1/325163.26159871.239.242
Cruceta, Francisco7/4/198119326047.9622202.038.317
De La Rosa, Jorge4/5/19811256440425315.553242211.651.282
Delcarmen, Manny2/16/19821770180 2/3323.49167691.262.236
Dumatrait, Phil7/12/1981271796 2/3387.0861541.810.310
Espineli, Geno9/8/198215016205.06881.563.279
Gabbard, Kason4/8/19823431163974.53103961.546.257
Galarraga, Armando1/15/19823329187 1/31373.84132681.217.227
Germano, Justin8/6/198247352058165.27119701.444.279
Gobble, Jimmy7/19/198123543423 2/322235.232751631.487.279
Gonzalez, Enrique7/14/19822718111 2/3475.9667371.424.279
Gorzelanny, Tom7/12/19826765374 2/322254.782451721.511.273
Gray, Jeff11/19/1981504 2/3007.71411.929.364
Guevara, Carlos3/18/198210012 1/3105.841191.784.265
Guzman, Angel12/14/1981331496076.0096501.667.293
Hammel, Jason9/2/19827328207 1/37155.90140961.640.295
Hanrahan, Joel10/6/19818111135 1/31164.72136801.567.254
Harden, Rich11/30/1981109101612 2/341203.236122621.213.216
Henn, Sean4/23/198140566 2/3267.5647522.040.307
Herrera, Yoslan4/28/19815518 1/3119.8210122.564.427
Hill, Shawn4/28/19813737206 1/37154.93130671.459.286
Hirsh, Jason2/20/19823229165 2/38115.32110741.449.257
Huber, Jon7/7/198125028212.5719101.179.228
James, Chuck11/9/19816455315 2/324194.482341281.372.256
Janssen, Casey9/17/19818917166 2/38133.8983411.266.263
Johnson, Tyler6/7/1981116077354.3265421.416.233
Karstens, Jeff9/24/19822418108 2/35114.8944331.436.283
Kensing, Logan7/3/19821023125 2/3774.94124711.528.252
Kuo, Hong-Chih7/23/19818714175 1/37133.90204731.295.234
Littleton, Wes9/2/1982800102 1/3533.6955371.231.239
Livingston, Bobby9/3/1982131061 1/3336.3130141.630.330
Loe, Kameron9/10/198110747343 2/319234.771801231.516.288
Maholm, Paul6/25/19829696601 1/330354.303872101.410.279
Maine, John5/8/19818481464 2/333274.183982021.306.233
Marcum, Shaun12/14/19818964396 2/324173.953141411.283.244
Marshall, Sean8/30/19827950294 1/316224.622021171.413.263
Martinez, Carlos5/26/198214013014.151371.538.271
Masset, Nick5/17/1982772110435.0768541.691.307
McCrory, Rob5/3/1982806 1/30015.63582.842.370
McGowan, Dustin3/24/19827556353 2/320224.712851411.374.256
Messenger, Randy8/13/19811610174 1/34114.90115801.675.305
Meyer, Dan7/3/198119746067.6332241.761.300
Miller, Jim4/28/1982807 2/3021.17851.826.290
Miner, Zach3/12/198210630264 2/318154.221551001.413.269
Misch, Patrick8/18/1981341193 2/3075.0065271.409.285
Moseley, Dustin12/26/19816120153 1/3775.5290491.552.309
Motte, Jason6/22/198212011000.82163.727.139
Murphy, Bill5/9/19811006 1/3005.68272.526.346
Murray, A.J.3/17/198216435 2/3224.2923181.542.264
Newman, Josh6/11/198214017 2/3008.1511122.208.351
Nieve, Fernando7/15/19825111107344.6382431.374.256
Nippert, Dustin5/6/19816111141 2/3586.42113731.680.286
Ohlendorf, Ross8/8/198236569146.1358331.797.314
Osoria, Franquelis9/12/19811040136 1/3495.4872371.555.315
Owings, Micah9/28/19825145257 1/314174.97193911.325.254
Peavy, Jake5/31/1981199199126186623.2512564071.186.232
Pena, Tony1/9/19821720188 2/311104.05136561.246.251
Perez, Oliver8/15/1981175174999 1/355604.3910275281.425.240
Perez, Rafael5/15/19821350149 1/3562.89163441.085.213
Pignatiello, Carmen9/12/1982602 2/3006.75322.625.417
Pinto, Renyel7/8/19821510153493.88148981.405.217
Purcey, David4/22/1982121265365.5458291.477.267
Ramirez, Ramon8/31/19811540156 2/3973.62146641.277.236
Ramirez, Ramon9/16/19825427112.6721111.037.183
Ray, Chris1/12/19821450149 1/310133.19138631.185.210
Reineke, Chad4/9/19824318215.0013121.444.219
Reyes, Anthony10/16/1981594425512254.91183961.337.254
Robertson, Connor9/10/1981909018.00442.000.359
Rodriguez, Francisco1/7/19824080451 2/323172.355871981.114.189
Roenicke, Josh8/4/1982503009.00622.667.400
Rosales, Leo5/28/198127030114.2018151.567.271
Rundles, Rich6/3/1981805001.80631.600.263
Rupe, Josh8/18/1982661128424.5773591.500.281
Sadler, Billy9/21/198138048 1/3014.2848291.407.223
Sarfate, Dennis4/9/198172496 1/3534.39111671.484.218
Saunders, Joe6/16/19816464385 1/332154.042271201.342.268
Shields, James12/20/19818585554 2/332243.964481141.199.259
Simon, Alfredo5/8/19814113006.23821.385.296
Smith, Chris4/9/198112018 1/3107.851371.364.261
Snell, Ian10/30/1981113101612 1/331384.675242641.517.280
Stauffer, Tim6/2/1982181794 2/3476.3757361.542.289
Tata, Jordan9/20/198111328 2/3116.9114151.570.275
Tejeda, Robinson3/24/1982884730016194.772261671.513.254
Thatcher, Joe10/4/198147046 2/3265.2133191.586.293
Thompson, Brad1/31/198215324305 2/319114.24146941.397.281
Threets, Erick11/4/198110012 1/3016.577122.270.327
Valdez, Merkin11/5/198119117 2/3104.0815101.585.265
Vasquez, Virgil6/7/19825316 2/3018.64751.920.360
Villarreal, Oscar11/22/1981258533624153.862361351.372.256
Wagner, Ryan7/15/19821480165 1/31194.79130791.591.281
Wainwright, Adam8/30/19811155241127163.482991271.282.254
Weaver, Jered10/4/19827777460 2/335193.713721321.253.252
Wells, Jared10/31/1981808 1/3008.64572.160.314
Wells, Randy8/28/1982405 1/3000.0013.563.000
White, Sean4/25/198115035 1/3115.6016201.557.261
Willis, Dontrelle1/12/19821701691046 2/368563.917753791.379.265
Wilson, Brian3/16/19821180116674.34108561.431.253
Woods, Jake9/3/1981848162 1/3854.6099791.571.275
Zambrano, Carlos6/1/1981231210138296613.4811726201.287.228

You can e-mail us your Fantasy Baseball questions to DMFantasyBaseball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: 27-year-olds in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware, due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee personal responses to all questions

 
 
 
Player News
A.J. Burnett
Yanks, Pirates still talking Burnett
A.J. Burnett, SP, NYY
2/12/2012
News: The New York Daily News reports the Yankees and Pirates continued to talk Sunday about completing a trade for A.J. Burnett, but a baseball source said the sides are still "a good ways away" from agreeing on the final terms. The source added the Pirates are willing to pay $10 million of the remaining $33 million Burnett is owed over the next two seasons, but Pittsburgh has offered "two borderline prospects" in return. The Yankees could be willing to pay more of Burnett's remaining contract if they receive a top-tier prospect from Pittsburgh. A person familiar with the Yankees' thinking believes there is enough common ground that a deal could be completed in the coming days. However, ESPN.com reports their source said the Yankees aren't desperate to make a trade and the team would go to spring training with Burnett if a deal isn't completed.
Analysis: Leaving the Yankees usually has a negative impact on a player's Fantasy value, but in Burnett's case it might be the opposite, especially if he moves to the NL. He has struggled to handle the pressure of pitching in New York and a fresh start could be what he needs. Burnett had some of his best years in the majors pitching in the NL. Still, Burnett would be nothing more than a risky late-round Fantasy pick in mixed leagues.

Josh Johnson
JJ continues to feel no discomfort
Josh Johnson, SP, MIA
2/12/2012
News: The Sports Xchange reports Marlins SP Josh Johnson arrived to the team's spring training complex in Jupiter, Fla., on Feb. 9, more than a week ahead of the Marlins reporting date for pitchers and catchers. Johnson, who has been throwing off a mound near his home in Las Vegas, threw his first bullpen session of the year in Florida on Feb. 10. He felt no discomfort and expects to be ready for the first workouts on Feb. 22. He made only nine starts last year because of shoulder issues.
Analysis: Any encouraging news regarding JJ is welcomed. But Fantasy owners do have to be aware of the risk of drafting him. Of course his potential makes it worth it, but JJ has made it past 30 starts just once in his career. Look to Johnson as more of a No. 2 Fantasy SP on Draft Day, but clearly he has the potential to be your ace if he can stay healthy.

Hunter Pence
Pence likely to hit cleanup
Hunter Pence, RF, PHI
2/12/2012
News: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has to find a cleanup hitter with Ryan Howard expected to miss the beginning of the season recovering from an Achilles injury, and he said his choice going into spring training is Hunter Pence.
Analysis: Pence either hit right in front of or right behind Howard after his acquisition from Houston last season and thrived in the Phillies lineup. He will miss Howard's lineup protection, but might only have to play a month without Howard. In the meantime, Pence should get plenty of RBI chances batting cleanup, and he will still have plenty of lineup protection without Howard. Look to Pence in the early rounds of Fantasy drafts.

Jason Vargas
Vargas expected to pitch in A's series
Jason Vargas, SP, SEA
2/12/2012
News: Mariners manager Eric Wedge hinted Sunday that ace Felix Hernandez and Jason Vargas are the leading candidates to start the team's first two games against the A's in Japan. "That's one of the reasons we're here early, to make sure we get Felix ready and we're probably looking at Vargas right now in regard to the first couple games," Wedge said, as reported by MLB.com. "It is a little odd, but that's OK. That's part of it. We're professionals here and we have to get multiple starters prepared for the regular season. It's not just about those two guys, it's about everybody else as well. We've got a lot of starting pitchers here in camp and we'll see how it plays out. I'm looking forward to the competition."
Analysis: Believe it or not, but Vargas is arguably the M's second-best pitcher heading into spring training. He has been a steady part of the M's rotation the last two seasons. He is 19-25 with a 4.02 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 63 starts since the beginning of the 2010 campaign. However, he is not a dominant pitcher and has weak strikeout totals, so Vargas is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy SP on Draft Day.

Felix Hernandez
King Felix likely to start game in Japan
Felix Hernandez, SP, SEA
2/12/2012
News: Mariners manager Eric Wedge hinted Sunday that ace Felix Hernandez and Jason Vargas are the leading candidates to start the team's first two games against the A's in Japan. "That's one of the reasons we're here early, to make sure we get Felix ready and we're probably looking at Vargas right now in regard to the first couple games," Wedge said, as reported by MLB.com. "It is a little odd, but that's OK. That's part of it. We're professionals here and we have to get multiple starters prepared for the regular season. It's not just about those two guys, it's about everybody else as well. We've got a lot of starting pitchers here in camp and we'll see how it plays out. I'm looking forward to the competition."
Analysis: Hernandez didn't repeat as the AL Cy Young winner in 2011, but he still had another solid season for Seattle. He went 14-14 with a 3.47 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. He also struck out 222 in 233 2/3 innings. His win-loss record would probably be way better on a top contender, but King Felix still does plenty for Fantasy owners to be considered a top 10 Fantasy SP on Draft Day.

Hisashi Iwakuma
Iwakuma says shoulder is fine
Hisashi Iwakuma, SP, SEA
2/12/2012
News: MLB.com reports Mariners SP Hisashi Iwakuma said his shoulder is fine after he was limited to 17 starts last season in Japan because of a sore right shoulder. "I talked to him at length a couple days ago," pitching coach Carl Willis said. "This is obviously all new to him being in the States for the first time, with a different routine pitching every fifth day instead of sixth or seventh. But he's not an 18-year-old kid either. He has a history of what he's done to get ready for a season and we'll talk daily. Really, at the outset it comes down to me listening to him, because he's the one who knows what he needs to do to get ready."
Analysis: Iwakuma had a 107-69 record in 226 career games in Japan. The right-hander was selected the 2008 Pacific League MVP and winner of the Eiji Sawamura Award (the equivalent of the Cy Young Award) after going 21-4 with a 1.87 ERA. Last season, Iwakuma went 6-7 with a 2.42 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 17 starts. While his numbers overseas are impressive, you know it has been hit or miss when it has come to Japanese pitchers in the majors. Even if Iwakuma lands a rotation spot with Seattle, you won't want to use more than a late-round flier on him.

Tim Hudson
Hudson cleared to increase throwing
Tim Hudson, SP, ATL
2/12/2012
News: The Sports Xchange reports Braves SP Tim Hudson, who is recovering from surgery to repair a disc in his back late in November, had been playing light catch in his yard until begin cleared by doctors this week to increase his throwing.
Analysis: The word around Braves camp is proceed with caution in regards to the veteran Hudson. Pretty much every important Braves official has said they won't rush the right-hander in his recovery, and Atlanta is willing to start the season without him if it comes to that. We will just have to see how he progresses this spring. Consider Hudson an injury-risk, mid-round Fantasy pick on Draft Day. Clearly, he can be a very productive Fantasy option when healthy.

Mike Minor
Minor having early control problems
Mike Minor, SP, ATL
2/12/2012
News: The Sports Xchange reports Braves SP Mike Minor, vying again this spring for the fifth starter's job, said, "All my pitches are everywhere right now." His says his arm feels good, but that it's lagging and he isn't following through. Fortunately, he knows the point of the Braves' early throwing program is to get these preseason inconsistencies out of the way.
Analysis: Minor is considered the favorite to win the final spot in the Braves' rotation over Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado. However, Minor might be needed at the start of the season regardless if Tim Hudson's recovery from back surgery doesn't go as planned. Minor kind of disappointed in 15 starts in 2011. In fact, he has just a 4.74 ERA in 24 outings (23 starts) as a major leaguer and hasn't shown the same type of dominance he did in the minors. Still, the Braves have high hopes for the lefty and aren't giving up on him just yet. If Minor does make the rotation this spring, then look to him as a late-round Fantasy option in deep formats.

Craig Kimbrel
Kimbrel working on changeup
Craig Kimbrel, RP, ATL
2/12/2012
News: The Sports Xchange reports Braves RP Craig Kimbrel is working on locating his changeup, which he may use during the season if he's able to master it. But even if it's not ready for prime time, throwing it helps stretch him out for his fastball. He has yet to throw his curveball.
Analysis: While Kimbrel struggled at the end of the 2011 season, he still dominated hitters for most of the season on his way to winning NL rookie of the year honors. It's good that he is working to get better, but he shouldn't have to change too much since he has been a smash hit since debuting in 2010. Kimbrel is a must-own Fantasy RP and will likely be the first RP selected in many drafts this spring.

Roy Oswalt
Phillies not in running for Oswalt?
Roy Oswalt, SP, PHI
2/12/2012
News: The Sports Xchange reports Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. defused a FOXSports.com report that his team remained in the hunt to re-sign Roy Oswalt. "We really don't have any room for him," Amaro told MLB.com. "We have five, six starters, and our resources are about where we want to be right now. I think he wouldn't mind coming back, but I don't know that's feasible or a real possibility."
Analysis: The Phillies surfaced as a possible destination for Oswalt after rumors surfaced again that the team wanted to trade Joe Blanton. It seems the Phillies have no immediate plans to bring Oswalt aboard, but we will have to continue to track his offseason progress. Fortunately, all of the teams linked to Oswalt are expected contenders, but even so, Oswalt would be at best a No. 4 Fantasy SP given his chronic back woes and declining numbers.

 
 
 
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