By Dustin Sullivan

In the 2009 MLB Draft, the Washington Nationals selected RHP Stephen Strasburg as the #1 overall pick. Strasburg throws a fast ball that consistently hits 100 plus on the radar gun and only drops to the mid-90s as the game goes on. Many baseball experts say that he will be a starter in the big leagues within the next year, but I think that he’ll be with the Nationals rotation sooner than most people think.

When you have a team like the Washington Nationals that are struggling in both on and off the field areas, Strasburg is just the guy they need to be the “savior” of the organization. The Nationals are a struggling team with only one or two players that could be considered All-Stars. Strasburg is the perfect guy to help the Nationals’ pitching staff get back in the right directions. Strasburg, if he plays this year, will be entering a pitching staff that has the worst ERA in the Major League at 5.34. The Nationals will be taking a risk in possibly bringing Strasburg to the Majors earlier than any player has ever been called up, but I think it’s a risk that should be taken. This is a Nationals’ team that not only needs someone to turn their season around, but would come in and bring confidence to a struggling organization in the years to come. Many people say that Strasburg is more than ready to pitch in the Majors and, in my opinion, there is no reason sticking him in the Minors where he will dominate easily. If the kid is ready to take on the best hitters in the game, then let him go for it!

By Raymond Ayala

The San Francisco Giants are an average team right now. Currently if you check most keeper fantasy leagues, most people do not have any of the Giants hitters on their rosters. Kung-Fu Panda, or Pablo Sandoval, who is a 22-year-old power hitting infielder, who also is catcher-eligible in some leagues. Other then the Panda there is not a lot of hope for the Giants on the offensive front.

Pitching on the other hand is a different story. Currently the Giants are home to two of the best pitchers right now in Major League Baseball. Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain are going to be fixtures in the Giants rotation for years to come, since both are respectively aged 24 and 25.

Tim Lincecum has already proved himself as one of the most valuable pitchers in fantasy baseball keeper leagues. Sure some may argue that Zach Greinke is having a better season this year, and therefore he should be the best young pitcher. While I respect what Grienke is doing, Lincecum has already done what Grienke is doing last year. In his first full season with the Giants, the “Freak” led the NL in Strikeouts, finished second in ERA and second in Wins. This season, Lincecum currently is leading the league again in Strikeouts with 95, and is pacing his strikeouts with a solid 2.96 ERA. So far Lincecum has shown he is capable of keeping this pace going for the long haul and should be considered a top pick in any keeper league draft.

Matt Cain may be a surprise to those on the East Coast, but any Giants fan will tell you that he is probably just as valuable to the team as his rotation-mate Lincecum. Another fact that people do not know, is that Cain is younger then Lincecum, and he has been successful his past two seasons posting back-to-back sub four ERA seasons. This season Cain is off to a hot start leading the league with wins (7), and he is second in era (2.27). Cain has shown he was this special before, but now that he is getting run support, he is really showing what he is capable of. Cain may not be worth a first round pick, but he should defineitly be considered in round 3-5.

The Giants pitching staff will presumably welcome two more potential aces to the staff during the 2010 season. Left-handed prospect Madison Bumgarner, and right-handed power pitcher Tim Alderson have been off to hot starts on the Giants AA-team. I’m sure your asking why draft them now? Well by the time the end of the 2009 season comes around; it may be too late to get these guys in the late rounds. Alderson is a twenty-year-old righty, who has the build of Joe Blanton, but the stuff of Derek Lowe. Madison Bumgarner is the top-pitching prospect in all of baseball, and is blowing away hitters double his age in AA ball. The nineteen-year-old Bumgarner has been compared to a former Dodger great Sandy Koufax, and his fastball is only getting better. Both these young pitchers could anchor one of the best staffs in baseball history over the coming years. Grab these guys now and build your staff around the Giants pitching staff. The Giants front office will reward you, by fitting the team with offensive players of the same level.

Season takes toll on original ratings: the rise of the underrated and the fall of the overrated players change expectations and ratings of available players.
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:00
by Steven Iñiguez Ruiz

With a little less than month away from the All-Star game in St. Louis, Player Rankings have once again fluctuated players up and down the ranks. Underrated players such as Torii Hunter, Carlos Peña, and Raul Ibañez have risen to the top due to their RBI production so far; while other rankings drop drastically due to the DL, Josh Hamilton and José Reyes both original top ranks that are now in the high hundreds after joining Ibañez on the DL. Underrated Pitcher Zack Greinke’s ranking has skyrocketed to the top with his eight wins while Tim Wakefield’s power ranking has ballooned to the high hundreds even with his nine wins. But that’s fantasy baseball. Here are a couple of options that should be available in most leagues that deserve a look or two when looking for a decent bench player or possibly an upgrade.
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After a slow April and a decent May, Cody Ross is an available pick up for Raul Ibañez owners after the announcement of his placement on the 15-day DL and he will not be playing the rest of the month. Ross is hitting .304 in the month of June, picking up 6 RBI in the last 10 games. Ross is not walking much with 3 BB total in the first three weeks of this month and has 15 K in 56 AB, but owners are going to have to look for available OF RBI production after Thursday’s announcement.

Cody Ross (Fla – OF)
Avg HR RBI SB
.266 10 39 3
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As of June 18th, José López is available in 1 out of every 2 leagues. In the month of June, López is hitting .309 with 16 RBI and is putting the ball into play with 4 K in 55 AB and no walks but is ranked 6th among 2B in driving runs in with 43 RBI, and is available for those looking for an upgrade or a bench player in a position with lower RBI production.

José López (Sea – 1B,2B)
Avg HR RBI SB
.248 10 42 0
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Pedro Feliz is still available in most leagues and is starting to heat up again driving in 7 RBI in the last 10 games, totaling 35 RBI for the season. Feliz is also not walking much in the month of June with 1 BB in his last 37 AB, 5 K in the same AB.

Pedro Feliz (Phi – 3B)
Avg HR RBI SB
.311 3 35 0

Barmes still available
The Clint Barmes bandwagon paid us a visit last week, and to be honest Colorado Rockies infielder deserves a quick look before its too late as his value has picked up this month and is being picked up by owners familiar with the 30-year old Barmes. As of Friday morning Clint Barmes (Col) who is leading the NL with 27 H this month and in the top 3 amongst 2B, SS, and 3B with 15 RBI in the MLB is available in 1 out of every 2 leagues, and with just under a month before the All-Star break could be an excellent pick up for those who lost Howie Kendrick (Laa) last week.
Clint Barmes (Col – IF~1B)
Avg HR RBI R SB
.296 7 34 36 5
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Callaspo, we’re still in Kansas
Before jumping onto the Callaspo bandwagon, owners must remember that Callaspo is playing for the 9 games under .500 Kansas City Royals and that many of his 69 H in his 224 AB were with the bases empty, keeping his RBI at 26. But with Kansas City’s next two series against NL teams, Callaspo could come up big again in H and possibly RBI against NL pitching. Callaspo is available in most leagues as a 2B/SS and deserves a good look for those who need H.
Alberto Callaspo (KC – 2B/SS)
Avg HR RBI R SB
.309 4 26 29 0