Which young pitcher has the biggest breakout potential?

Crazy Like a Fox · Post by **Crazy Like a Fox** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 11:59 am

There's obvious candidates like Felix Hernandez and Cole Hamels (who's already pretty much broke out).

I like Bonderman to take another step forward and Cain looks to make a big leap as well.

Ervin Santana is a guy who could be a frontline starter if he becomes more consistent, that goes for Brett Myers as well.

I'm sure everybody's pretty careful about what information they give out, but these days there really aren't too many sleepers as most people do their homework.

I think Matt Cain has a chance to be a Cy Young candidate but I'm sure that's atleast a couple years away.

Vander · Post by **Vander** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 1:11 pm

I like Cain, but I'm not sure how good the Giants will be affecting his W total and Bonds back in the outfield and another year older won't help. He may get help in that Finley and Alou won't be back. Maybe somebody under 40 might be out there instead. There may not be a consistent offense behind him either though. Hamels has an injury past and does have to pitch in that park. like santana a lot. Had him on 3 teams last year. He may not have ace potential though. Good solid not Cy Young type stuff. For some reason, maybe the park I always under value Myers. He's good. You can have him. That leaves King Felix as Gekko used to refer to him. I think he pitches much better this year. Maybe a breakout. I won't take him where he tends to go. Just not interested in any SP that high. He probably is worth it though. JMHO for whatever it's worth. Why don't you join nfbc's main event. You obviously seem to enjoy the message board. I think you'll fit in nicely. If you go in depth that it takes to do an 11X11 league your already obsessed. This is a lot of fun. See how you fit in with the best there is. I had a good year and some luck. Don't know if I can ever win a league again or not. These guys are tough, but I can win my local leagues with regularity. Isn't it more interesting to see how you do with the best there is?

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 8:25 pm

Originally posted by BigDog:

There's obvious candidates like Felix Hernandez and Cole Hamels (who's already pretty much broke out).

I like Bonderman to take another step forward and Cain looks to make a big leap as well.

Ervin Santana is a guy who could be a frontline starter if he becomes more consistent, that goes for Brett Myers as well.

I'm sure everybody's pretty careful about what information they give out, but these days there really aren't too many sleepers as most people do their homework.

I think Matt Cain has a chance to be a Cy Young candidate but I'm sure that's atleast a couple years away. So what is it that you like about these guys particularly?

Crazy Like a Fox · Post by **Crazy Like a Fox** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 8:55 pm

All of them are young and have very strong arms with loads of potential. They are all prime candidates to breakout in my opinion.

Cain is my #1 pick to breakout huge.

This guy has been one of the top prospects in the minors for awhile and throws in the 92-96 mph range.

He showed just glimpses of his potential last year. He had a 6 start stretch where he was 5-0 with a 0.21 e.r.a. He still is very inconsistent as most young pitchers are but that will improve with time. You have to remember he just turned 22 so sky's the limit baby.

This year I expect a 3.70 e.r.a. with 200 strikeouts+ and around 14-15 wins. He should fall under the radar come draft time. This guy is a future ace and will surely be on my radar come draft time.

I think while almost all are taking King Felix, Cole Hamels and Jered Weaver early, I think Cain has a chance to top them all. He'll provide incredible value at his draft spot.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 2:49 am

Alright Big Dog- I will throw you a bone. You answered the Cain question better than I thought you would. Although you contradict yourself by projecting a break out year and then a high 3's ERA- you are not projecting anything much better than last year for him check the stats.

These guys will fall under the radar screen in your home league- but I guarantee you that 300 guys are reading everything they can on all 5 of them for example and will have a clear strategy on who they like and why. Most of those 300 have the MLB package and personally watched at least 2 of their starts last year. Also projecting these guys to break out is like predicting bjoak is going to get lucky at a party of fat girls. You throw enough choices out there and some are bound to do it. Your question with those guys should be more who do I like better of them, am I prepared to reach for them, am I comfortable building a staff with them as a number one or number two if I have to? Do you risk taking 2 of those types to be your top 2 starters etc. plus probably 5 other questions you should be asking. Starting to get the message?

Step up your game Jordan!

Ever wonder why everyone's keeps inviting you so hard- maybe they are nice but maybe they love dead money...... Prove us wrong- Tampa is great this time of year. If you have had enough of ole Chest on the boards just come up to me and let me have it in person. My real name is Wayne Edwards- I am from Duluth Ga. I am an accountant in my 40's and wear glasses.

Your friend,

Scott "UNC" Williams

[ December 18, 2006, 08:58 AM: Message edited by: Chest Rockwell ]

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 3:01 am

Originally posted by BigDog:

All of them are young and have very strong arms with loads of potential. They are all prime candidates to breakout in my opinion.

Cain is my #1 pick to breakout huge.

This guy has been one of the top prospects in the minors for awhile and throws in the 92-96 mph range.

He showed just glimpses of his potential last year. He had a 6 start stretch where he was 5-0 with a 0.21 e.r.a. He still is very inconsistent as most young pitchers are but that will improve with time. You have to remember he just turned 22 so sky's the limit baby.

This year I expect a 3.70 e.r.a. with 200 strikeouts+ and around 14-15 wins. He should fall under the radar come draft time. This guy is a future ace and will surely be on my radar come draft time.

I think while almost all are taking King Felix, Cole Hamels and Jered Weaver early, I think Cain has a chance to top them all. He'll provide incredible value at his draft spot. Reminder this is for money- why give your top sleeper away- don't see you as the bluffing type, if you have any intention of actually playing this game.

More importantly what round do you see Cain going in with most NFBC drafts. I think you can wait until at least round 12 to get him don't you??

headhunters · Post by **headhunters** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 3:05 am

matt cain sounds like................mark prior

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 6:05 am

Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

Prove us wrong- Tampa is great this time of year. If you have had enough of ole Chest on the boards just come up to me and let me have it in person. My real name is Wayne Edwards- I am from Duluth Ga. I am an accountant in my 40's and wear glasses. You forgot to add am 40lbs overweight but still damn good looking!

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 7:21 am

Can I get directions to the party?

LONG GONE · Post by **LONG GONE** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 8:02 am

Cain will be everyone's sleeper and will go well before the 12th round this spring after everyone reads all the great article that come out about him.

Crazy Like a Fox · Post by **Crazy Like a Fox** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 7:24 pm

I'm gonna get my feet wet with a couple satellites and after I win one of those I'm gonna compete against you veterans in 2008. $1,250 is alot of money for me but I understand why it's so high. This is the best of the best.

I'm sure I'm looked at as dead money. I'm sure I come across as a jackass on these forums but I promise my intentions are all good and I'm here to learn a few things as well as teach a few things.

People always underestimate me, but they are usually looking up at me in the standings by season's end.

Side note - my "home" league has been running for 9 years and it's full of diehards who all thought I was full of **** 3 years ago. Now they call me the "Yankees of fantasy baseball"

With love, Kevin Maas

headhunters · Post by **headhunters** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 3:19 am

jordon and the yankees- wow

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 4:11 am

Originally posted by BigDog:

I'm gonna get my feet wet with a couple satellites and after I win one of those I'm gonna compete against you veterans in 2008. $1,250 is alot of money for me but I understand why it's so high. This is the best of the best.

I'm sure I'm looked at as dead money. I'm sure I come across as a jackass on these forums but I promise my intentions are all good and I'm here to learn a few things as well as teach a few things.

People always underestimate me, but they are usually looking up at me in the standings by season's end.

Side note - my "home" league has been running for 9 years and it's full of diehards who all thought I was full of **** 3 years ago. Now they call me the "Yankees of fantasy baseball"

With love, Kevin Maas My friends in Texas have a saying about guys like you big hat no cattle. You talk a big game with nothing to back it up.

I am going to let you be- I think it is safe to say you want no part of competition at this level and would like stay in leagues where Cole Hamels and Matt Cain are sleepers in 07. Keep dominating your 11x11 leagues and in the meantime entertaining us with your simplistic analysis that you somehow think is earth shattering work that has Ron Shandler and Bill James on the edge of their seat.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 4:13 am

By the way big dog replace the word jack with dumb on your previous quote and you will have it correct.

[ December 19, 2006, 10:15 AM: Message edited by: Chest Rockwell ]

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 7:45 am

$1,250 is alot of money for me Yeah, I don't get this. If you're so great and we're all going to be looking up at you and you have things to teach us, yada, yada, yada, etc., etc., etc., then how is this not a perfect investment? Even if you don't have enough money, it seems like you must have some of your fantastic fantasy baseball winnings to reinvest. Or, you could get your leaguemates to invest in you since they are certain you are the "Yankees of fantasy baseball." Since you're going to win the 100K anyway, there has to be a way to get your butt in the Las Vegas seat.

I really don't have a problem coming on here and claiming to be the best if you're going to go prove it, but to come on and say, "I'm the best and you can never prove me wrong because I won't play with you," is super lame. Put up or shut up.

poopy tooth · Post by **poopy tooth** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 12:46 pm

Chad Billingsley...

BEF · Post by **BEF** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 1:56 am

My young gun breakout candidate for 2007 is Anthony Reyes, provided the Cards can get some defensive help on the corners (because he's still primarily a fly ball pitcher). His numbers last year were very average, which should push him down the draft list. But he's got the goods, and this year he won't have to battle for a rotation spot and get bounced between the Cards and AAA. And other than Soriano, there aren't any real impact hitters that have joined the NL Central, so pitchers in that division once again have a chance to do quite well.

I'm guessing he goes in a mid-teens round. My crystal ball says 13-16 Wins, ERA just under 4, WHIP about 1.3, and 175 K's, which I'll gladly take from a 15th rounder...

eddiejag · Post by **eddiejag** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 2:18 am

I agree with you on REYES , i drafted him one year to early.I grabbed him in the 19th round last year, and he just went in the 13th round pick 6 in the mag draft.I think by draft day he will go between 11 and 13th round.