2008 Draft Recap - Pitching

Earlier this week I did a recap of my hitting. Now I will do the same but for my pitching staff. I have a lot of questions marks and my strategy of punting saves looks to be taking form as my only closing pitcher has already blown two saves.

Starting Pitchers
Jake Peavy - San Diego Padres - $27 - Keeper Pick
Jake is the reigning CY Young award winner and he looks to defend his title throughout this coming season. He does have some new competition to deal with, Haren and Santana, that should make for a fun contest. I am hoping that he will win 20 games this year.
Projected Stats:
20 Wins, 220 IP, 215 K's, 2.75 Era, and 1.15 Whip

Aaron Harang - Cincinnati Reds - $22 - Keeper Pick
Often forgotten when you talk about the Elite pitchers in the NL. This guy is knocking on the door and should become one of them this year if he stays healthy. With Dusty as the coach he should get pushed to the extreme this year. Hopefully he does not wear down because of this.
Projected Stats:
18 Wins, 220 IP, 200 K's, 3.50 Era, and 1.20 Whip

Yvonni Gallardo - Milwaukee Brewers - $19 - 105th pick
Everyone keeps telling me that I could've kept him for $10 from last season but I disagree with them. I wanted to draft Gallardo for $14 but when I noticed that I had some surplus money going, I knew I could continue bidding. Plus I didn't want to be out bid by Trevor again, see Steven Pearce. Gallardo should be out for the first two weeks because of his knee. Hopefully this isn't a sign to come.
Projected Stats:
15 Wins, 185 IP, 165 K's, 3.65 Era, and 1.25 Whip.

Randy Johnson - Arizona Diamondbacks - $5 - 167th pick
I threw out Randy for $5 hoping to waste more money for the other teams. Boy did this back fire. Crickets and laughter was heard throughout the auction. If he can stay healthy and if he gets the $5 million dollar man's back, I should be good to go. The Poppers owner said that I would enjoy 2 months from him. Hopefully Randy will prove him wrong and we can get 3 or more months out of him.
Projected Stats:
10 Wins, 120 IP, 140 K's, 4.00 Era, and 1.25 Whip.

Edinson Volquez - Cincinnati Reds - $12 - 203rd pick
Who is this you are asking about? The guy is a control stud. He struck out 26 in 26 ip and walked 4 during spring training. Him and Cueto will be young studs for the Reds this year. The only thing haunting them is Dusty Baker is there coach. Hopefully we will not see a Prior instance with either of this young players.
Projected Stats:
12 Wins, 160 IP, 135 K's, 3.85 Era, and 1.30 Whip.

Manny Parra - Milwaukee Brewers - $3 - 220nd pick
Manny is one of my sleepers and I think he is better than advertised. The Brewers will give him every opportunity to pitch and if he succeeds he should be able to start the whole season. The Brewers do have 7 guys that can start but it looks like they will be moving some to middle relief, see David Bush.
Projected Stats:
12 Wins, 160 IP, 140 K's, 4.00 Era, and 1.35 Whip

Chris Capuano - Milwaukee Brewers - Reserve Pick
Thought that he would be out for only a month but it looks like he could be out for the year.
Projected Stats:
4 Wins, 80 IP, 60 K's, 4.50 Era, and 1.50 Whip

Chris Carpenter - St Louis Cardinals - Reserve Pick
Will be back in July or August or September. He could help for the playoffs. Will I be patient enough to keep him? Time will tell...
Projected Stats:
6 Wins, 80 IP, 50 K's, 4.00 Era, and 1.50 Whip

Overall Grade: B
Youth and injured players. That is what I am relying on to win the Championship again. Hopefully everyone becomes healthy and stays healthy for the whole season. I did spend more money that I had originally planned but due to the surplus in hitting I was able to go after a few players that I hadn't originally planned on.

Relief Pitching:
Eric Gagne - Milwaukee Brewers - $11 - 166th pick
This could pay off or he could totally bomb. It will be worth the $11 to see what happens.
Projected Stats:
30 Saves, 5 Wins, 60 IP, 75 K's, 3.00 Era, and 1.25 Whip

Joe Smith - New York Mets - $1 - 148th pick
Two years in a row and I have drafted this side armed submarine throwing relief pitcher. You would have thought that they would have remembered who he was. When I explained who he was, I told everyone that I wanted a $1 RP. When they couldn't find them in their fantasy magazines I laughed and said that we went through this last year. Everyone misremembered him I guess.
Projected Stats:
5 Wins, 70 IP, 50 K's, 3.50 Era, and 1.40 Whip

Brian Fuentes - Colorado Rockies - $1 - 200th pick
Another dollar relief pitcher who could pick up a few saves here and there.
Projected Stats:
10 Saves, 3 Wins, 60 IP, 35 K's, 4.00 Era, and 1.25 Whip

Overall Grade: C-
I punted saves...that is all I have to say. I am hoping that this philosophy doesn't come back to haunt me and I am hoping to pick up a few vulture saves throughout the season by watching the waiver wire.