2007 MLB Fantasy Pitching Report

Quarterly Update of Major League Baseball Fantasy Starters

May 24, 2007

It's the biggest risk in a fantasy draft: who do you draft as starters? That decision can make or break a fantasy team. Here are the best, the worst and some surprises.

1. Jake Peavy, San Diego Padres

After a down year in 2006 (11-14, 4.09 ERA), Peavy has been on fire through the first quarter of the 2007 MLB season. He leads the NL in wins (6) and winning percentage (.863). He is also tops among Major League starters with a 1.63 ERA, ranks second in the NL with 77 Strikeouts, and sports a 0.98 WHIP. Right now, he is the best in the fantasy business.

2. Josh Beckett, Boston Red Sox

After his mediocre 2006 season, many fantasy owners skipped right over Beckett in this year's fantasy draft. That may have been a mistake. Through eight starts, Beckett is a perfect 7-0 with a 2.66 ERA, 47 Ks and a 1.03 WHIP. Although he went on the 15 day DL on May 14, he is expected to return on May 29 to face the Cleveland Indians.

3. John Lackey, Los Angeles Angels

Another pleasant surprise for fantasy owners who probably picked up Lackey with a mid-level pick (Number 17 among pitchers), the Angels starter is 7-3 with a 2.38 ERA and 57 strikeouts.

4. Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies

Hamels was listed in the Top 10 on many fantasy expert's draft boards. The lanky lefty has justified the high praise. He is 6-2 with a 3.67 ERA, but his real fantasy value is in his ability to strike people out. In 68.2 innings pitched through May 24th, Hamels has struck out 78 batters, tops in the National League.

5. Brad Penny, Los Angeles Dodgers

A preseason draft rank in the 20s among starters, Penny has been one of the best values this season, going 6-2, with a 2.26 ERA, 39 Ks and a 1.23 WHIP.

6. John Smoltz, Atlanta Braves

Ranked 19th on the pre-draft board, Smoltz has been even better than that, despite his 40 years. The future Hall of Famer is 6-2, with a 2.55 ERA, 58 Ks and a 1.22 WHIP.

7. Oliver Perez, New York Mets

Perez has come out of nowhere during the first quarter of the 2007 fantasy baseball season. Listed in the 50s and 60s among starters on pre-draft boards, he has proven during the first quarter that he is a Top 10 fantasy starter, logging a 6-3 record, a 2.54 ERA, 53 Ks, and a 1.06 WHIP.

The 300 pound lefty has proven to be worthy of his high pre-season draft ranking, going 6-1, with a 3.67 ERA, 67 Ks, and a 1.26 WHIP.

Wolf is showing the Dodgers what he can do when he is healthy. Coming off arm surgery and pitching for a new team for the first time in his career, Wolf is 6-3, with a 3.75 ERA, 66 Ks and a 1.23 WHIP.

His record is a little disappointing, but he does have a respectable 5 wins and a 3.05 ERA. Santana’s fantasy value is still in the Top 10, however, based on his Major League-best 80 strikeouts, and an infinitesimal 1.09 WHIP.

Surprise Fantasy Pitchers

The Yankees’ offense has not been supportive in Pettitte’s starts: in his three losses, the team has given Pettitte just 2.0 runs per game of support. Nevertheless, Pettitte has still managed to have a wonderful first quarter: He is 3-3, but has a 2.66 ERA and 35 Ks.

2. John Maine, New York Mets

3. Jason Marquis, Chicago Cubs

He's been worth it to the fantasy owners who drafted him: 5-1, 2.76 ERA, 29 Ks, and a 1.01 WHIP.

4. Ted Lilly, Chicago Cubs

Another winner for the Cubbies and fantasy teams who picked him up, Lilly is 4-2, has a 2.69 ERA, 54 Ks, and a 0.93 WHIP.

5. Tim Hudson

Back from a bad year, Hudson is on fire this year, with a 5-2 record, 2.42 ERA, 43 Ks, and 1.00 ERA.

Fantasy Starters' Disappointments

These guys have stunk it up, and probably aren't even on the rosters of the original fantasy owners who picked them in March.

1. Zach Duke, Pittsburgh Pirates. Duke has been a disaster, barely making it through the first quarter of the season with a terrible 1-5 record, a sky-high 5.56 ERA, and a lowly 17 Ks.

2. Casey Fossum, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Fossum is just part of the continuing disaster that is the Devil Rays' pitching staff. So far, he is 3-4, with a 7.15 ERA, 29 Ks, a 1.63 WHIP and a .317 BAA.

3. Vicente Padilla

Big money, bad results. Texas shelled out $25 million for Padilla over the winter, and he has re-paid them (and the fantasy owners who drafted him) with a 2-6 record, a 5.52 ERA, 27 Ks, and a 1.55 WHIP.

4. Woody Williams, Houston Astros

A good year in 2006 has led to an awful start of 2007. He's 1-6, has a 5.52 ERA, with 24 Ks and a 1.53 WHIP.

5. Kyle Lohse, Cincinnati Reds

He was highly touted as a fantasy guy this spring, but has not come through in the real season, putting up a 1-6 record, a 5.31 ERA, jus 40 Ks and a 1.53 WHIP.

The copyright of the article 2007 MLB Fantasy Pitching Report in Baseball is owned by James Lincoln Ray. Permission to republish 2007 MLB Fantasy Pitching Report in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.