Sleeper of the Week

Two of its top prospects, Jimmy Gobble (whom we discussed in April) and Chin-Hui Tsao, were recently called up to the majors, but the Texas League (AA) still has plenty of pitching talent of which fantasy owners should take note. Case in point: San Antonio’s Travis Blackley and Clint Nageotte.

Blackley, a twenty-year old Australian lefty, and the right-handed Nageotte (22) have put up remarkably similar numbers this season. With records of 13-3 and 10-4, the duo has helped lead San Antonio to a stellar 76-37 mark. Blackley leads the league in era with 2.21; Nageotte is third at 2.66 (Tsao, at 2.46, was second). In 138.1 innings of work, Blackley has struck out 123 and walked 54. Nageotte boasts a k/bb ratio of 132/57 in 125.1 ip. Opponents have hit .207 off Blackley, .213 off Nageotte.

Seattle has no immediate plans to call up either of these promising young arms, but keep an eye on the development of these two. Don’t count on help from either this season, even in a September call-up, but in keeper leagues, both are worth stashing away on your minor league roster. If you have to choose between the two, you may have to flip a coin. Blackley has two years of youth on his side, but Nageotte may have a slightly higher ceiling.