Which pitcher has a breakthrough season?

[lbbaseball14]

Lets pray he does.

[SaintsOfTheDiamond]

Brandon Webb. He has to have more wins and K's this season, no?

As much as I like him, that is probably wishful thinking. Maybe K's but I don't see the wins going up unless the D-Backs make some good moves with all the money they suddenly found.

[Cornbread Maxwell]

i will def take a chance on burnett... did you say injury proned? He had surgery to fix his arm and he did enough last year when he came back to convince me that he is healthy. A guy with the potential of 200 k's is worth the risk. Plus with all the big teams trying to get this guy who knows how many wins he could have.

You are absolutely correct. I was just being a wiseacher and trying to throw the scent off of a couple pitchers I'll be targeting. Burnett is a stud and will probably be one of the most underrated fantasy picks coming into April.

[yanksareback2]

Penny was pitching well last year until he got hurt. i expect him to very well next year and be an elite pitcher in the nl next year. dodger stadium is a nice place to pitch too.

[looptid]

Bonderman is terrible - you should forget about him now.

He did very well after the all-star break last season, and especially well in September after the Tigers' staff order him to stop overthinking and trust his stuff more. I'd like to hope he's finally learning how to pitch.

2004 Post All-Star
3.70 ERA - 1.10 WHIP - .211 BAA - 3.03 K/BB - 8.5 K/9IP

September 2004
2.53 ERA - 1.05 WHIP - .199 BAA - 3.00 K/BB - 8.9 K/9IP

Those numbers are very, very impressive. And while the sample size may be very small, it is worth bearing in mind that Bonderman was only 21 years old last season; an age at which most pitchers are still in the minor leagues learning how to pitch professionally. Bonderman is only going to be 22 next season. I've got a question to pose:

If Bonderman didn't pitch in the majors at all in 2003, and was a late season call up after the all-star break last year for the Tigers, and he went on to post a 3.70 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a .211 BAA in addition to striking out 85 batters in 90 innings while only walking 28 as a 21 year old, what kind of fantasy hype would he have going into 2005? A lot more than he currently does right now.

How many pitchers wouldn't get hit hard as a 20 year old in the majors in 2003 or stuggle for the first half of their 21 year old season? Give the kid a chance. He couldn't legally buy a drink until last season. He is still wet behind the ears.

[ajgnydc722]

I like Jake Peavy to stay healthy and pitch great for the whole year especially at Petco

Damn, I read the thread title and Peavy popped into my mind before I even clicked it. Definately expecting big things from him, at a low pick.

[stumpak]

Cornbread, why are you so down on Bonderman? I only ask because everyone pumps him up as such a "sleeper" and I would be interested in a contrary rationale.

[LBJackal]

No offense to the people saying Peavy will have a breakthrough year but how much better does it get? He had a 2.27 ERA and if it doesn't significantly rise I'd be surprised. He'll be very good no doubt, but a breakthrough is hard when you've already had a season like that.

And CBM was joking about Bonderman sucking. I have him primed for a breakthrough as well. I drafted him last year hoping the same thing (of course much later than I will this year; people tend to shy away from pitchers with 19 losses and a 5.56 ERA).

[StlSluggers]

Dont' worry, CBM, I got the humor and intent of your post.



I totally agree about Burnett being great next year. I totally don't agree about him being underrated. I think he's on a lot of maps for next season's draft. Pick him high if you want him.

[stumpak]

Whoops, didn't get the joke I guess.