I'm not sure if there's already a thread on this - if there is, I apologize. I've seen various sleeper threads and sleeper SP threads, but what I'm curious about is people's thoughts on guys who will be around in the very late rounds. Last year, I remember liking Verlander and Scott Baker as guys who fit this description. (Obviously, Verlander panned out very well...Baker, not so much.) This kind of list could also include the kind of guys who might not quite be worth drafting but are worth keeping an eye on because of their potential.
This year, I'm having some trouble thinking of guys who fit this kind of mold who I feel confident about. There are some great young pitchers who showed signs of dominance last year (Hamels, Cain, Hill, Felix, Weaver, etc.), as well as some less flashy but similarly enticing pitchers (Bush, etc.), but all of those guys will be taken in the middle rounds of the draft. Here's a list I have so far of later-round guys who I think could end up being pretty solid:
- Freddy Garcia (although he'll probably have to be taken several rounds before the end of the draft)
- Wainwright (if he's even starting...though he's far from a sure thing, as relief success doesn't necessarily translate to starting success)
- Boof Bonser
- Bartolo Colon (see Garcia)
And here's a list of some guys who probably aren't worth drafting in re-draft leagues but are worth keeping an eye on:
- Gallardo
- Bailey
- Hughes
- Pelfrey
- Oliver Perez (I guess the upside is still there, though there's not really much sign for encouragement)
- Anthony Reyes
- Scott Baker (take two)
- Matt Garza
- Clay Hensley (he'll probably be drafted, but I just have a hard time getting excited with his mediocre K/9 and K/BB)
- Anibal Sanchez (see Hensley)
There are clearly some guys worth keeping an eye on who could be called up at some point in the year (Gallardo, Bailey, Hughes, etc.), but in terms of guys who should be in the rotation to start the year, I can't really think of anyone to get excited about. I do think Garcia could be solid, but he'll likely go a bit earlier than the last few rounds of the draft. I like Wainwright the most of these guys, I think, though he's obviously far from a sure thing. Bonser was fine last year, but I have a hard time getting too excited about him.
So does anyone have any thoughts about very-late-round pitchers who could end up being pretty valuable?
If you are putting up Bailey, Hughes and Gallardo, then you most definitely need to put Lincecum, Miller, who are on a faster track to joining their big clubs.
"Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that." ~George Carlin
Anyway, Id look for Joe Saunders, this guy gave up two runs or less in 9/13 starts!, caveat, he gave up 27 in his other four. He has good not great stuff, and who knows if big bart can stay healthy. he won't carry you, but an ERA around 4 with some k's and decent WHIP in the late rounds, you could do worse...
"I hope he arouses the fire that's dormant in the innermost recesses of my soul." --Ichiro Suzuki on Dice-K
John Patterson.. coming off injury but he had a great season the year before. Actually, I havent heard anything about his injury so I dont know if he'll be ready for the season opener or not.
I don't know your league size but I will use mine as an example. 12 Team with a 21 man roster = 254 players so last couple of rounds would be anyone past #230. According to CBS top 300 (without commenting on their top 300) here are some pitchers that they have ranked lower than 230:
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by JustAnotherYanksFan » Mon Feb 05, 2007 5:20 pm 
