Investing & Maybe Fantasy Baseball

Roberto Hernandez, who used to go by the name of Fausto Carmona when he pitched for the Indians, looks to be the front runner to be the Tampa Rays Opening Day Starter. If he makes the rotation he’s nothing more than an AL-only play because he doesn’t strikeout enough guys (13.1% in 2011) to be relevant. Most importantly, Chris Archer will likely begin the year (again) in Triple-A even though he’s ready to pitch in the big leagues now. If I were to bet, Archer will make his debut in June after the Super 2 Status has disappeared.

Scott Kazmir has looked great so far this spring for the Indians. Peter Gammons noted his velocity is back in the lower 90s. He’s only a AL-only play at this point.

I also wrote my first article at SB Nation asking the question, “Are All Strikeouts the Same?”

Zack Greinke was diagnosed with inflammation in the back of his right elbow. He is going to rest for 2-3 days and then he will start throwing again. I originally had him ranked as the 7th starting pitcher, but now he drops at least 5 spots.

Phil Hughes was diagnosed with a bulging disk in his upper back a couple of days after appearing at Spring Training. He threw a bullpen session and said he was pain free. I wasn’t sold on Hughes even before the injury, but if he looks good the rest of the Spring Training he could be a back end fantasy starter.

Alex Gonzalez will most likely enter the year as the starting first baseman for the Brewers. Gonzalez is a great play in NL-only and 15-team mixed leagues because he plays in a great home ballpark and his middle infield eligibility. Also, he has 15-18 home run power with a .240-260 batting average.

Brian Roberts is healthy and playing well for the Orioles. I hope he can keep it up, but I want to see him stay on the field the rest of Spring Training before I invest in him in any other type of league besides AL-only.

Brett Anderson looks to be inline to be the A’s opening day starter. Yesterday he suffered a strained right trapezius muscle (it’s in his neck) and left the game after eight pitches. I love Anderson when he’s healthy, but that’s hardly ever the case; he has 38 starts the past three years.

Entering Spring Training Logan Forsythe was expected to be the Padres starting second baseman, but he’s currently dealing with plantar fasciitis and will be out 3-4 days. This leaves the door open for Jedd Gyorko to be the starting second baseman. Most scouts agree Gyorko will hit for a high average, but how much power will there be? Playing in San Diego with 540+ plate appearances, I forecast he belts 10 home runs with 35+ doubles.

Stephen Drew was hit in the head on Thursday and is suffering from a “mild” concussion; he has not played since he incurred the injury.

First I’ll say this is not a paid post or anything of the sort. This is the second year in a row I’ve read/subscribed to his Starting Pitcher Guide and I find it extremely useful when preparing for any fantasy baseball draft. I literally spent my entire Saturday reading his pitching guide. It’s well written and most importantly, well thought out. There are some players I disagree with, but like any good writer he/she will make you think about a subject in a different way. You can check it out here.