Heavy-ball Throwers

[kab21]

Keep in mind that the analysis there is only what happened last year. Garza for example had a 10 K/9 rate in minors and as he further establishes his secondary pitches I wouldn't be surprised if his K/9 rises into the 7+ range. But the analysis is good stuff regardless and shows how much weight to put on each of K/9, BB/9 and GB rate. The BB/9 rate in particular is overlooked typically and this shows that it has more importance in maintaining a low ERA than GB rate.

[AllDay]

One thing that I'm looking at this year before my draft is pitchers who throw a relatively high amount of Ground Balls.

If you have a larger league keep an eye on the kid in Detroit as a flier if you like these types of pitchers.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/rumors/post/20-year-old-Porcello-steals-show-for-Tigers?urn=mlb,147040

Ground ball after ground ball is cutting a path to the big leagues for Detroit Tigers 20-year old right-hander Rick Porcello. Porcello threw three scoreless innings against the Florida Marlins Monday night.

"I thought he showed a lot of poise," Leyland said after Porcello got out of some early trouble, which was no knock against the pitcher. He throws a terrific sinking fastball, which the Marlins kept pounding into the ground, according to the Detroit News.

"He's a young 20-year-old pitcher with good stuff," said Leyland, who is being careful not to build a publicity bonfire around Porcello. "He's a young, above-average pitcher with very good stuff."

Porcello is 10 weeks past his 20th birthday. He's the most impressive young Tigers pitching talent in perhaps decades. His status comes naturally, all because he has done nothing but pitch brilliantly since he first came to spring camp a year ago, eight months after the Tigers had picked him in the first round of the 2007 draft, according to The News report.