Bold prediction I'm sure to get ripped for....

[B-Chad]

call me crazy (as you probably should ) but I think Barry Zito will put together an ownable fantasy season as a 5th starter type in 12 team leagues or greater. Fangraphs had an awesome article about Barry Zito I read in December (here is the link http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index. ... bust-label). Since reading that article I've kept tabs on Zito a little bit to start the year (it also helps he pitches for my favorite team ). What I find promising about the start to the season for Zito (other then the 7 IP gem he threw this past week) is that his fastball velocity is sitting around 87 MPH, as opposed to around 85 MPH last year. Considering he opened last year throwing even slower then 85 MPH, I don't think it's unfathomable that Zito may be able to add 1-2 MPH to his fastball as the season progresses this year. If that's the case, an 87-89 MPH fastball with his slow 70-74 MPH curve ball could prove to be just what the doctor ordered for Zito. Being that he pitches in a great pitchers park, and his BB/9 is sitting around his '03-'04 range of under 4, maybe he posts a season 2005. Sure, that may seem wishful thinking, but maybe not, definitely someone I'm going to keep on my watch list, as he does have some banner seasons under his belt, and it would not completely surprise me if the drop in velocity the last 2 years was Zito hiding an injury after having signed (at the time) the biggest contract for a pitcher in league history.

Like I said, I'm sure I'm going to get ripped for this, but put me on record as saying that I think Zito is capable of posting a season line of (bold prediction time ).... 14 wins 4.00 ERA 1.32 WHIP 165 K's making him ownable in 12 team leagues or greater.

[poo holes]

Call me nuts but I just picked him for his two starts this week!

[Ender]

I don't mind him for a spot start type of guy but I have no interest in him as a full time starter for even my 14 team league.

[Polar Bear]

Call me nuts but I just picked him for his two starts this week!

hmm, he has the Dodgers tomorrow...I think I will pass.

[B-Chad]

Call me nuts but I just picked him for his two starts this week!

hmm, he has the Dodgers tomorrow...I think I will pass.

He did have two good starts against them last year... but I'm going to pass as well. Still could be a good gauge to see if I might be on to something. I'll be curious to see what the gun reads for his fastballs and see if he's able to attack the zone and limit his free passes. Also should be interesting to see if Pablo Sandoval suits up at catcher again.

[DaShiz23]

I pass. Owned him when he was dynamite, didn't pay after that, and fell good enough to stay away.

[silverZ]

Not as bold as the thread about Zito being a possible HOF candidate.

[B-Chad]

Not as bold as the thread about Zito being a possible HOF candidate.

lol, I actually went into a coughing fit reading that, my stomach hurts, I might have to check that thread out.

[JTWood]

Call me nuts but I just picked him for his two starts this week!

hmm, he has the Dodgers tomorrow...I think I will pass.

Never thought I'd hear that again in my lifetime.

[B-Chad]

Today's start makes another quality start for Zito. Watching his start he looked pretty sharp. The thing that I find most encouraging is that his velocity on his fastball was consistantly 85-88 MPH. Going into his start today Fangraphs had his average fastball at about 86.5 MPH, which is close to what it was at the tail end of his Oakland days. I'm going to stand by my assertion he was hiding an injury that resulted his drop in fastball velocity the last two years. If that's the case, I think Zito could be ownable this year. After a few starts now on the season, what do others think?