Rich Harden

[DaShiz23]

I am going to completely un-jinx the apparent jinx being implemented here.

Destiny knows no jinx. Go ahead and start a thread about one of your favorite teams' players, and get off of mine!

[pokerplaya]

Has he put his injury woes behind him

Are you actually asking that? I think it's highly doubtful that he, all of a sudden, he put his injury woes behind him.

I wish he could though. He deserves it with all he has gone through.

And he's Canadian.

Yes, I was really asking that. I guess I got my answer.

[yanks924]

The man is healthy and dominating, if you own him be glad you took the risk its obviously paying off. How many times do you see a "mark prior"? Not very often. He could very well get hurt again but I wouldn't hesitate to take Harden in the 7th or 8th round next year, thats where i took smoltz this year and im still doing pretty well.

[Neato Torpedo]

Can anyone think of any pitcher who actually turned out to be a dependable ace after being so riddled with injuries early in his career? Off the top of my head I can't think of one, but maybe some other posters might be able to come up with something...

Mark Pr...Kerry W.....never mind.

[BigZ38]

As a Cub fan I hold my breath everytime Harden goes out there. Even after 6 innings and around 85 pitches I'm hoping they pull him.

I do see a couple positives when I look at Harden's injury situation.

It's been reported that he has never had a surgery. I think that it is a positive if injuries heal naturally.

It's also been reported that he has developed a new routine leading up to the days of his starts. Apparently this new routine causes less stress on his arm.

Finally I think he is starting to throw fewer breaking balls and just rely more on his fastball and changeup

[Kingctb27]

He's good. Ride the wave.

[deutschland]

He might have himself an ERA Title if he can go about 60 more innings. Dan Haren is in the lead with a 2.62. Harden is at 2.04.

[pokerplaya]

It's long been known around the Cafe that I have a weakness for high upside oft injured pitchers (Prior, Wood, Harden, etc.) I guess that has not changed, because I really do think I'd draft Harden long before the consenus, probably within the top 10 SP's off my draft board.

1. Santana
2. Peavy
3. Webb
4. CC
5. Haren
6. Lincecum
7. Hamels
8. Halladay

9. Harden

That's a quick but fairly accurate representation...when healthy, Harden is arguably the most dominant pitcher in the majors.

[Yoda]

It's long been known around the Cafe that I have a weakness for high upside oft injured pitchers (Prior, Wood, Harden, etc.) I guess that has not changed, because I really do think I'd draft Harden long before the consenus, probably within the top 10 SP's off my draft board.

1. Santana
2. Peavy
3. Webb
4. CC
5. Haren
6. Lincecum
7. Hamels
8. Halladay

9. Harden

That's a quick but fairly accurate representation...when healthy, Harden is arguably the most dominant pitcher in the majors.

For 09, if he stays healthy for the rest of this season, then he figures to be very expensive on draft day. I'd pass.

[Leena]

I picked him up on waivers in all leagues, and will continue to ride him [Mod Edit].

As for next year, if someone else wants to draft him top 100, go nuts. I'll probably be picking him up on waivers again anyway.