Projo Fantasy Sports Blog

By David Ferris

While we don't want to overreact from what we see in the first month of the season, it's essential that we at least try to figure out the nuances of the new season quicker than our rivals. Here's a peak into our current scouting notebook.

Hitters

BUY

Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox: You paid an expectant price on him in March, but so far, Ellsbury is justifying the love (.290, 20 runs, three homers, eight steals). His average could easily jump 20-30 points (he's got 13 walks against just six strikeouts), and he's as confident as they come on the bases (no one has thrown this guy out over 17 steal attempts). Ellsbury doesn't project to be a major power source, but perhaps the Grady Sizemore comparisons from the winter weren't that far fetched.

SELL

Daric Barton, 1B, Athletics: His current stat-line almost reads like a misprint: .262 average, .376 on-base percentage, .369 slugging, 16 walks against 23 strikeouts. The Athletics might be getting antsy about the strikeouts absent the power, as they welcomed Frank Thomas back to the fold this week. Barton deserves some time to work out of the early-season funk, but he might not get it, at least until the gridlock sorts itself out a bit.

Gary Sheffield, DH, Tigers: The shoulder clearly isn't right, cortisone shots haven't helped much, and Sheffield himself is starting to wonder how much time is left. It's a shame we can't see a healthy Sheff in the middle of this loaded Detroit lineup, but betting on a 39-year-old DH with this much mileage is a losing prop.

HOLD

Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees: No need to worry here: Cano has a career .621 OPS for April, then warms up with the weather. His line drive rate is actually a speck higher in 2008, a clear sign that, more than anything, Cano is hitting in bad luck. There's still some untapped power upside here; Cano had a modest 19 homers last year tied to 41 doubles, but eventually some of those two-baggers will clear the fence.

Pitchers

BUY

Dustin McGowan, SP, Blue Jays: He's struggled with control in a couple of starts this year, racking up 16 walks over 28 innings -- sometimes he goes to the mound with too much stuff. But he's still got three excellent pitches and everything that leaves this guy's hand comes out hard. McGowan's sparkling run at the end of 2007 didn't lie to us; he's got All-Star written all over him, and the timing might be right to sneak him away from someone off the modest April returns.

SELL

Jeremy Bonderman, SP, Tigers: He's still making the radar gun pop, but he has no idea where it's going half the time (17 walks in 27.1 innings). Bonderman's always been a bit of a fantasy tease to begin with, consistently underperforming his peripherals (colleague Mike Salfino compares him with Milwaukee's David Bush). Let someone else play the Waiting for Bonderman game.

HOLD

Cliff Lee, SP, Indians: Everyone knows a fall-off is inevitable here -- no one can continue to pitch as well as Lee has for the first four weeks (one run over 31.2 innings, 2 walks, 29 strikeouts). The question is, where does he drop off to? While I want to retain some healthy skepticism given the moderate opposition he's faced so far, I like how he's locating his fastball, he's always had a decent curve, and I don't see why he can't be around the 2005 numbers again (18 wins, 3.79 ERA, 1.22 ratio). It's perfectly reasonable to explore a sell-high on Lee, but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. It's very possible he truly is one of the AL's best ten starters this season.

Francisco Liriano, SP, Twins: Two bad starts, one awful one, and now Liriano heads back to Triple-A to work on his mechanics and confidence. You see 13 walks against seven strikeouts and start to wonder about physical problems, but Liriano showed enough dominance in March that I think this current run is more of a speed bump, not a tire blowout. Find some room to stash him; he'll be a fantasy asset later in the season.

By David Ferris

With just over three weeks in the books, we've got just enough meat to start putting together some intelligent guesses to what is real and what is imaginary on the diamond. The skippers around baseball get even more of an itchy finger, as we’re starting to see some interesting personnel moves.

Batters

BUY

Conor Jackson, 1B, Diamondbacks: He’s finally getting a chance to play everyday and he’s making good; murdering lefties, handling righties, and hitting both at home and on the road. Jackson's homer upside probably taps out in the 20-25 range, but surrounded by a good hitting environment (park and players), there's a taste upside here. Set the over/under at 95 runs, 90 RBIs.

Clint Barmes, 2B, Rockies: He's played over his head for a couple of weeks, no one questions that. But let's not forget that Barmes looked like a dynamic player for two months in 2005 before he messed up his shoulder. The percentage play is to shake your head and predict a heavy downturn, but if there's even a 20-percent chance that the spike is real, why not at least clear some bench space and let Barmes play it out? It’s not like the air got any thinner in Colorado over the winter. If you can U-turn out of the move simply enough, toss the dice and take a shot at some upside.

SELL

Andruw Jones, OF, Dodgers: We knew he came with batting-average baggage (Jones is a .249 hitter since 2004), but will the power ever come around? Early returns are troubling: 25 strikeouts in 79 at-bats, and a massive ground-ball spike; unless you're playing in a sandlot with fourth-graders, balls on the ground generally don't turn into home runs. Selling low is never much of a plan, but at the first sign of daylight for Jones, see if you can find a believer.

Ron Belliard, 2B, Nationals: He's almost doubled his walk rate and he's been moderately unlucky on balls in play, but the Nats aren't going to wait for the stats to normalize – Felipe Lopez is the new starting second baseman, while Belliard hits the pine. Lopez brings more batting-average risk to the table, but he's more exciting from a fantasy perspective because of his steals potential (68 over the last two seasons).

HOLD

Jorge Cantu, 3B, Marlins: He's still a hacker first and foremost, but there's a mild uptick with his walk rate and he's also running a little bit. Cantu needed a decent first month to solidify the job here, and so far, so good (.325, three homers, two steals). Keep in mind he's just three years removed from a 28-homer, 117-RBI season.

Adam LaRoche, Pirates: Another slow start is no surprise; his career OPS is .587 for April and .860 after. The Bucs realize this and aren't going to rock the boat; here’s your wake-up call for a tidy buy-low.

Pitchers

BUY

Brian Fuentes, RP, Rockies: Manny Corpas doesn't really deserve to lose his closing gig off three uneven weeks, but Clint Hurdle isn't afraid of the early hook – consider how quickly Fuentes was removed from the ninth-inning work last season. Generally there's a bias against left-handed closers, but Fuentes gets righties out well enough (.228 BAA for career) to handle the post, and he'll miss enough bats from both sides of the plate. The baton hasn't been passed yet in Colorado, but Corpas blew his fourth save of the year Wednesday and Hurdle admitted he's contemplating a switch.

HOLD

Bronson Arroyo, Reds: He needs to keep the ball in the park better (six homers over 25 innings won't cut it), but otherwise the prognosis isn’t as bad as the ERA and ratio want to suggest. Arroyo's still got enough stuff to succeed (23 strikeouts), and he's been unlucky on balls in play (.395). Someone's ready to make a rash sell-low here and you can take advantage.

SELL

Chad Cordero, RP, Nationals: He's avoided the surgeon's knife for now, but anytime your closer needs to see Dr. James Andrews, bad news is on the doorstep. The Nats say they'll let Cordero work his way through shoulder tendinitis and weakness, but in the meantime that means Jon Rauch will be working the ninth inning.

By Michael Salfino

It's easy for the simple strikeout to get lost in baseball's modern sabermetric revolution.

But making contact is job one for the hitter. Those who put the ball in play generate a .300 average. Pitchers who consistently miss bats avoid the uncertainty of whether a batted ball is going to be converted by their defense into an out.

Strikeouts are much more frequent now than they were a generation ago. In 1978, the 28 teams combined for 20,058 strikeouts. Last year, 30 teams rung up 32,189 Ks. That's 1,073 per team today versus 716 per team in 1978 – an increase of 50 percent in free air conditioning for fans in attendance.

With about an eighth of the season in the books, let's look at some hitters who are extreme when it comes to strikeouts. Next week, we'll do the same for select pitchers.

Buy

Jeff Keppinger, SS, Reds: There are guys like Keppinger kicking around in every organization, waiting for a chance. His lack of speed, power or a plus-glove kept him demoted for too long. This year, four Ks and six walks; last year, in 276 at-bats, it was 12 and
24, respectively. There's no way this guy hits under .300.

Corey Patterson, OF, Reds: I know he's a guy no one wanted because of his inability to get on base (he's hitting .197). But he has as many homers as Ks (four). Patterson struck out 168 times in 2004. Last year, just 65 times in 503 at-bats. It's impossible for him to
continue to hit .148 on balls in play.

Hank Blalock, 3B, Rangers: He struck out about once per game back in 2004. The rate has steadily gone down to the point where he's K'ed just seven times in 19 games this year. He should be walking more, but the 1:1 ratio evokes a .300 hitter. His current .176 average with runners in scoring position is a fluke suppressing his RBI total.

David Wright, 3B, Mets: He's just about perfect as a hitter. He has 17 walks and just 9 Ks. That's evidence of a quantum leap relative to 2007, when he K'ed 115 times and walked 94. Wright is making this leap from an MVP-caliber level.

Pat Burrell, OF, Phillies: He's not going to hit .357. But he's walked about as much as he's K'ed, which means he's being selective enough to hit .280. Yes, he did that last year, too, and hit only .256. But that .276 average on balls in play was unlucky. In 2005, it was .336, and it's .383 this year. His power is also spiking: homers on 24 percent of fly balls.

Hold

Ryan Garko, 1B, Indians: Last year, his first as a regular, he K'ed 94 times in 484 at-bats. This year, just 9 times in 68 at-bats. He also has 13 walks, the kind of plate discipline that you look for from impact hitters. But the power has been very disappointing: homers on just 5.9 percent of fly balls (average is about 11 percent). Perhaps he's cut down his swing too much.

Matt Diaz, OF, Braves: He's yet to walk in 71 at-bats (19 Ks). Yet he still hits .300 because of a .400 average on balls in play. That latter number is not a total fluke when you consider that 23.5 percent of his batted balls are line drives, about 80 percent of which become hits. Diaz's line-drive rate is well above average.

Conor Jackson, 1B, Diamondbacks: He has just four Ks and seven walks through Tuesday's action. That's a profile of a .300 hitter for sure, even if he doesn't continue to hit .345 on balls in play (last year he hit .292 on them). He's an extreme fly-ball hitter, which should keep enough homers coming despite his middling power.

Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals: I guess the elbow we worried about is fine. He's hitting .352 with 16 RBI. That's without getting a chance to shine with runners in scoring position, as he's been walked 20 times against just 7 Ks. Pujols is getting frustrated by the respect opposing pitchers are showing him, resorting this week to swinging at 3-0 pitches well out of the strike zone in a futile attempt to keep at-bats alive.

Sell

Bill Hall, 3B, Brewers: He's swinging for the fences, but 2 walks and 25 Ks is the kind of ratio we would expect from a .200 hitter, so don't expect that his current sub-Mendoza average is a fluke.

Carlos Gomez, OF, Twins: Exhibit A in the case against Gomez being ready for the majors: 2 walks, 24 Ks. Yes, he has nine steals. But he'll be back in the minors by the end of May.

Hunter Pence, OF, Astros: That K/BB ratio was the black mark last year. Most ignored it. This year, it's unavoidable: 20 Ks and 3 BBs gets you a .220 average most times. And it's not like he's trading contact for power, as his rate on homers on fly balls is a paltry 4.5 percent.

By David Ferris

All rankings assume 5x5 format (runs, RBI, homers, steals, average).

* = check status

Last Update: 4/22
Next Update: 4/29

First Base
1. Albert Pujols, Cardinals
2. Ryan Howard, Phillies
3. Prince Fielder, Brewers
4. Mark Teixeira, Braves
NOTE: Good time to buy low.
5. David Ortiz, Red Sox
6. Justin Morneau, Twins
7. Lance Berkman, Astros
8. Adrian Gonzalez, Padres
9. Derrek Lee, Cubs
10. Carlos Guillen, Tigers
11. Carlos Pena, Rays
12. Travis Hafner, Indians
13. Paul Konerko, White Sox
14. James Loney, Dodgers
15. Conor Jackson, Diamondbacks
16. Jim Thome, White Sox
17. Mike Jacobs, Marlins
18. Carlos Delgado, Mets
19. Casey Kotchman, Angels
20. Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox
21. Billy Butler, Royals
22. Ryan Garko, Indians
23. *Gary Sheffield, Tigers
24. Adam LaRoche, Pirates
25. Todd Helton, Rockies
26. Richie Sexson, Mariners
27. Kevin Millar, Orioles
28. Nick Johnson, Nationals
29. Joey Votto, Reds
30. Daric Barton, Athletics
31. Lyle Overbay, Blue Jays
32. Ross Gload, Royals
33. Jason Giambi, Yankees
34. *Frank Thomas, Free Agent
35. Ben Broussard, Rangers

Second Base
1. Chase Utley, Phillies
NOTE: Frontrunner for MVP.
2. Brandon Phillips, Reds
3. Brian Roberts, Orioles
4. Robinson Cano, Yankees
5. Ian Kinsler, Rangers
6. Michael Young, Rangers
7. Rickie Weeks, Brewers
8. Aaron Hill, Blue Jays
9. Kelly Johnson, Braves
10. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
11. *Howie Kendrick, Angels
12. Mark Ellis, Athletics
13. Dan Uggla, Marlins
14. Ryan Theriot, Cubs
15. Orlando Hudson, Diamondbacks
16. Jeff Kent, Dodgers
17. Kaz Matsui, Astros
18. Placido Polanco, Tigers
19. Jose Lopez, Mariners
20. Freddy Sanchez, Pirates
21. Luis Castillo, Mets
22. Clint Barmes, Rockies
NOTE: Partying like it's 2005.
23. Jeff Keppinger, Reds
24. Mark DeRosa, Cubs
25. Ray Durham, Giants
26. Adam Kennedy, Cardinals
27. Eugenio Velez,, Giants
28. David Eckstein, Blue Jays
29. Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians
30. Brendan Harris, Twins
31. Mark Grudzielanek, Royals
32. Tad Iguchi, Padres
33. Ronnie Belliard, Nationals
34. Juan Uribe, White Sox
35. Mike Fontenot, Cubs
36. Matt Tolbert, Twins
37. Mark Loretta, Astros

Shortstop
1. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins
2. Jose Reyes, Mets
3. *Jimmy Rollins, Phillies
4. Rafael Furcal, Dodgers
5. Derek Jeter, Yankees
6. Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
7. Miguel Tejada, Astros
8. Edgar Renteria, Tigers
9. Orlando Cabrera, White Sox
10. Yunel Escobar, Braves
11. Jhonny Peralta, Indians
12. Khalil Greene, Padres
13. Bobby Crosby, Athletics
14. Stephen Drew, Diamondbacks
15. Julio Lugo, Red Sox
16. J.J. Hardy, Brewers
17. Yuniesky Betancourt, Mariners
18. Cristian Guzman, Nationals
19. Erick Aybar, Angels
20. Maicer Izturis, Angels
21. Felipe Lopez, Nationals
22. *Jack Wilson, Pirates
23. *Omar Vizquel, Giants
24. *Alex Gonzalez, Reds
25. *Adam Everett, Twins
26. Cesar Izturis, Cardinals
27. Tony Pena, Royals
28. Luis Hernandez, Orioles

Third Base
1. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
2. David Wright, Mets
3. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
4. Ryan Braun, Brewers
5. Aramis Ramirez, Cubs
6. Chone Figgins, Angels
7. Chipper Jones, Braves
8. Garrett Atkins, Rockies
9. Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals
10. Alex Gordon, Royals
NOTE: One of many upside Royals.
11. Adrian Beltre, Mariners
12. Kevin Kouzmanoff, Padres
13. Evan Longoria, Rays
14. Edwin Encarnacion, Reds
15. Mark Reynolds, Diamondbacks
16. *Mike Lowell, Red Sox
17. Joe Crede, White Sox
18. *Ty Wigginton, Astros
19. *Hank Blalock, Rangers
20. Akinori Iwamura, Rays
21. *Scott Rolen, Blue Jays
22. Troy Glaus, Cardinals
23. Pedro Feliz, Phillies
24. Jorge Cantu, Marlins
25. *Chad Tracy, Diamondbacks
26. Melvin Mora, Orioles
27. Casey Blake, Indians
28. Jose Bautista, Pirates
29. Nomar Garciaparra, Dodgers
30. Mike Lamb, Twins
31. *Eric Chavez, Athletics
32. Jose Castillo, Giants

Outfielders
1. Matt Holliday, Rockies
2. Vladimir Guerrero, Angels
3. Carl Crawford, Rays
4. Nick Markakis, Orioles
5. Grady Sizemore, Indians
6. Carlos Lee, Astros
7. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
8. Manny Ramirez, Red Sox
9. B.J. Upton, Rays
10. Carlos Beltran, Mets
11. *Alfonso Soriano, Cubs
12. Torii Hunter, Angels
13. Alex Rios, Blue Jays
14. Eric Byrnes, Diamondbacks
NOTE: Four-category stud without the cost.
15. Vernon Wells, Blue Jays
16. Magglio Ordonez, Tigers
NOTE: Wait it out here.
17. Corey Hart, Brewers
18. Hunter Pence, Astros
19. Josh Hamilton, Rangers
20. *Curtis Granderson, Tigers
21. Jeff Francoeur, Braves
22. Adam Dunn, Reds
NOTE: Good buy-low target.
23. Bobby Abreu, Yankees
24. Hideki Matsui, Yankees
25. Jermaine Dye, White Sox
26. Chris Young, Diamondbacks
27. Brad Hawpe, Rockies
28. Nate McLouth, Pirates
29. Michael Bourn, Astros
30. Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs
31. Justin Upton, Diamondbacks
32. Jason Bay, Pirates
33. Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox
NOTE: They're turning him lose on bases.
34. Raul Ibanez, Mariners
35. Willy Taveras, Rockies
36. Josh Willingham, Marlins
37. Pat Burrell, Phillies
38. Matt Kemp, Dodgers
NOTE: Buy before he really goes off.
39. *Michael Cuddyer, Twins
40. Carlos Gomez, Twins
41. Delmon Young, Twins
42. Ken Griffey, Reds
43. Rick Ankiel, Cardinals
44. Bill Hall, Brewers
45. Jeremy Hermida, Marlins
46. Nick Swisher, White Sox
47. Johnny Damon, Yankees
48. Lastings Milledge, Nationals
49. Andre Ethier, Dodgers
50. Gary Matthews, Angels
51. Aubrey Huff, Orioles
52. J.D. Drew, Red Sox
53. Aaron Rowand, Giants
54. *Shane Victorino, Phillies
55. Adam Jones, Orioles
56. Jose Guillen, Royals
57. Xavier Nady, Pirates
58. Joey Gathright, Royals
59. *Mike Cameron, Brewers
60. Ryan Church, Mets
61. Austin Kearns, Nationals
62. Luke Scott, Orioles
63. Jason Kubel, Twins
64. Andruw Jones, Dodgers
65. Mark Teahen, Royals
66. Corey Patterson, Reds
67. Chris Duncan, Cardinals
68. Melky Cabrera, Yankees
69. Carlos Quentin, White Sox
70. Skip Schumaker, Cardinals
71. John Bowker, Giants
72. Jayson Werth, Phillies
73. Coco Crisp, Red Sox
74. Ryan Ludwick, Cardinals
75. Milton Bradley, Rangers
76. Ryan Freel, Reds
77. Jack Cust, Athletics
78. Matt Diaz, Braves
79. David DeJesus, Royals
80. Fred Lewis, Giants
81. Jonny Gomes, Rays
82. *Moises Alou, Mets
83. David Murphy, Rangers
84. Juan Pierre, Dodgers
85. Frank Catalanotto, Rangers
86. Brian Giles, Padres
87. Scott Hairston, Padres
88. Jacque Jones, Tigers
89. Franklin Gutierrez, Indians
90. Garret Anderson, Angels
91. Travis Buck, Athletics
92. Randy Winn, Giants
93. Wily Mo Pena, Nationals
94. Jim Edmonds, Padres
95. Matt Stairs, Blue Jays
96. Angel Pagan, Mets
97. Cliff Floyd, Rays
98. Emil Brown, Athletics
99. Geoff Jenkins, Phillies
100. Reed Johnson, Cubss

Catchers
1. Victor Martinez, Indians
2. Russell Martin, Dodgers
3. Brian McCann, Braves
4. Jorge Posada, Yankees
5. Joe Mauer, Twins
6. Bengie Molina, Giants
7. Kenji Johjima, Mariners
8. Geovany Soto, Cubs
9. Ryan Doumit, Pirates
NOTE: Can rake when he's healthy.
10. A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox
11. Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers
12. Mike Napoli, Angels
13. Jason Varitek, Red Sox
14. J.R. Towles, Astros
15. Ramon Hernandez, Orioles
16. Kurt Suzuki, Athletics
NOTE: Quiet surprise by the bay.
17. Josh Bard, Padres
18. Chris Snyder, Diamondbacks
19. *Dioner Navarro, Rays
20. Carlos Ruiz, Phillies
21. Yorvit Torrealba, Rockies
22. Yadier Molina, Cardinals
23. Gerald Laird, Rangers
24. Gregg Zaun, Blue Jays
25. John Buck, Royals
26. Ronny Paulino, Pirates
27. Brian Schneider, Mets
28. Kelly Shoppach, Indians
29. Jason Kendall, Brewers
30. Chris Coste, Phillies
31. Jeff Mathis, Angels
32. Chris Iannetta, Rockies
33. *Paul Lo Duca, Nationals
34. Rod Barajas, Blue Jays
35. *Dave Ross, Reds
36. Paul Bako, Reds

By David Ferris

All rankings assume 5x5 format (wins, saves, strikeouts, ERA, ratio).

* = check status

Last Update: 4/22
Next Update: 4/29

Starting Pitchers
1. Johan Santana, Mets
2. Jake Peavy, Padres
3. Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks
4. Dan Haren, Diamondbacks
NOTE: Facing pitchers offsets the park.
5. Cole Hamels, Phillies
6. Josh Beckett, Red Sox
7. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox
8. Justin Verlander, Tigers
9. Felix Hernandez, Mariners
10. Tim Lincecum, Giants
11. Carlos Zambrano, Cubs
12. Aaron Harang, Reds
13. Javier Vazquez, White Sox
14. C.C. Sabathia, Indians
15. Adam Wainwright, Cardinals
NOTE: Legitimate Cy Young sleeper.
16. John Maine, Mets
17. John Smoltz, Braves
18. *Erik Bedard, Mariners
19. Dustin McGowan, Blue Jays
NOTE: The AL's next star pitcher.
20. *Scott Kazmir, Rays
21. Fausto Carmona, Indians
22. Ian Snell, Pirates
23. Roy Halladay, Blue Jays
24. Brad Penny, Dodgers
25. Tim Hudson, Braves
26. James Shields, Rays
27. Roy Oswalt, Astros
28. Chris Young, Padres
29. Matt Cain, Giants
NOTE: Ace stuff, but needs consistency.
30. Johnny Cueto, Reds
31. Yovani Gallardo, Brewers
32. Francisco Liriano, Twins
33. Oliver Perez, Mets
34. Chien-Ming Wang, Yankees
35. Jered Weaver, Angels
36. Zack Greinke, Royals
37. Brett Myers, Phillies
38. Derek Lowe, Dodgers
39. Clay Buchholz, Red Sox
40. *Ben Sheets, Brewers
NOTE: Scratched for Wednesday turn.
41. *John Lackey, Angels
42. Micah Owings, Diamondbacks
43. Rich Hill, Cubs
44. A.J. Burnett, Blue Jays
45. Scott Olsen, Marlins
46. Chad Billingsley, Dodgers
47. Brian Bannister, Royals
48. Joe Blanton, Athletics
49. Phil Hughes, Yankees
50. Jeff Francis, Rockies
51. Bronson Arroyo, Reds
52. Ted Lilly, Cubs
53. Randy Wolf, Padres
NOTE: Enjoy one more week, then sell.
54. Jeremy Bonderman, Tigers
55. Ervin Santana, Angels
56. Gil Meche, Royals
57. Andy Pettitte, Yankees
58. Randy Johnson, Diamondbacks
59. Boof Bonser, Twins
60. Edinson Volquez, Reds
NOTE: Strikeout arm without the pub.
61. Hiroki Kuroda, Dodgers
62. *Pedro Martinez, Mets
63. Cliff Lee, Indians
NOTE: Hasn't been tested yet.
64. Scott Baker, Twins
65. Dana Eveland, Athletics
66. Tom Gorzelanny, Pirates
67. Jair Jurrjens, Braves
68. *Jake Westbrook, Indians
69. Manny Parra, Brewers
70. Todd Wellemeyer, Cardinals
NOTE: What does team do when Mulder is ready?
71. Carlos Villanueva, Brewers
72. *Rich Harden, Athletics
73. Jonathan Sanchez, Giants
74. Shawn Hill, Senators
75. Kyle Lohse, Cardinals
76. Greg Maddux, Padres
77. Shaun Marcum, Blue Jays
78. *Wandy Rodriguez, Astros
79. John Danks, White Sox
NOTE: A higher ceiling than Floyd.
80. Jon Garland, Angels
81. Andy Sonnanstine, Rays
82. Kevin Correia, Giants
83. Joe Saunders, Angels
84. Gavin Floyd, White Sox
85. *Matt Garza, Rays
86. Jeremy Guthrie, Orioles
87. Nick Blackburn, Twins
88. Homer Bailey, Reds
NOTE: Another young gun for fun staff.
89. Mark Buehrle, White Sox
90. Daniel Cabrera, Orioles
91. *Kevin Slowey, Twins
92. Nelson Figueroa, Mets
NOTE: Rick Reed 2.0?
93. *Mark Prior, Padres
94. Tim Wakefield, Red Sox
95. Jon Lester, Red Sox
96. Ian Kennedy, Yankees
97. Jon Lieber, Cubs
98. Edwin Jackson, Rays
99. Jarrod Washburn, Mariners
100. Andrew Miller, Marlins
101. Hong-Chih Kuo, Dodgers
102. Greg Smith, Athletics
103. *Justin Duchscherer, Athletics
104. Tim Redding, Senators
105. Adam Loewen, Orioles
106. Justin Germano, Padres
107. Jason Bergmann, Senators
108. Paul Maholm, Pirates
109. Miguel Batista, Mariners
110. Jesse Litsch, Blue Jays
111. *Dontrelle Willis, Tigers
112. Zach Duke, Pirates
113. Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies
114. Chad Gaudin, Athletics
115. Odalis Perez, Senators
116. Brandon Backe, Astros

Relief Pitchers
1. Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox
2. Joe Nathan, Twins
3. Mariano Rivera, Yankees
4. Billy Wagner, Mets
5. Takashi Saito, Dodgers
6. *J.J. Putz, Mariners
NOTE: Seattle needs him desperately.
7. Bobby Jenks, White Sox
8. Francisco Rodriguez, Angels
9. Joakim Soria, Royals
10. Francisco Cordero, Reds
11. Jose Valverde, Astros
12. George Sherrill, Orioles
13. Matt Capps, Pirates
14. Kevin Gregg, Marlins
15. Jason Isringhausen, Cardinals
16. Manuel Corpas, Rockies
17. Huston Street, Athletics
18. Kerry Wood, Cubs
NOTE: Can he last for six months?
19. Brad Lidge, Phillies
20. C.J. Wilson, Rangers
21. Rafael Betancourt, Indians
NOTE: Might take job and run with it.
22. Todd Jones, Tigers
23. Trevor Hoffman, Padres
24. Brian Wilson, Giants
NOTE: Hedge your bet with Walker, too.
25. B.J. Ryan, Blue Jays
26. Eric Gagne, Brewers
27. Troy Percival, Rays
28. *Rafael Soriano, Braves
29. Brandon Lyon, Diamondbacks
30. *Chad Cordero, Senators
31. Heath Bell, Padres
NOTE: A chance he's closing by end of year.
32. Carlos Marmol, Cubs
33. Joba Chamberlain, Yankees
34. Manny Acosta, Braves
35. Jeremy Accardo, Blue Jays
36. Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers
37. Jon Rauch, Senators
38. Chad Qualls, Diamondbacks
39. *Joe Borowski, Indians
40. Joey Devine, Athletics
41. David Riske, Brewers
42. Scot Shields, Angels
43. Dan Wheeler, Rays
44. Tony Pena, Diamondbacks
45. Doug Brocail, Astros
NOTE: Valverde won't be pulled too quickly.
46. Tyler Walker, Giants
47. Blaine Boyer, Braves
48. Hideki Okajima, Red Sox
49. Santiago Casilla, Athletics
50. Masa Kobayashi, Indians
51. John Grabow, Pirates
52. Tom Gordon, Phillies
53. Pat Neshek, Twins
54. Ryan Rowland-Smith, Mariners
55. Leo Nunez, Royals
56. Octavio Dotel, White Sox
57. Scott Linebrink, White Sox
58. Brian Bruney, Yankees
59. Aaron Heilman, Mets
60. Scott Downs, Blue Jays
61. Pedro Feliciano, Mets
62. Mark Lowe, Mariners
63. Joaquin Benoit, Rangers
64. Cla Meredith, Padres
65. Anthony Reyes, Cardinals
66. Juan Cruz, Diamondbacks
67. Alan Embree, Athletics
68. Dennis Sarfate, Orioles
69. Andrew Brown. Athletics
70. Bob Howry, Cubs
71. Matt Albers, Orioles
72. Matt Lindstrom, Marlins
73. Brian Fuentes, Rockies
74. Renyel Pinto, Marlins
75. Luis Ayala, Senators
76. Jason Frasor, Blue Jays
77. Matt Guerrier, Twins
78. Justin Speier, Angels
79. Salomon Torres, Brewers
80. Mike Wuertz, Cubs