Fantasy Impact Zack Greinke

Zack Greinke

At 25 Years of age, 2008 was his breakout seson, and the former 2002 1st round draft pick (6th overall) is showing signs of getting better.

>Second Half Stats 6W 1.05 HIP 0.26 BBIP 1.01 SOIP 3.45ERA
>Batting Average Against 0.257
>Quality Starts: 72%
>Set career highs in Strikeouts (183)
>Set career highs in Innings Pitched (202.1)
>Personal Best 3.47 ERA

The Kansas City Royals recently signed pitcher Zack Greinke to a $38 million, four-year contract
In the process, they managed to avoid salary arbitration with their star pitcher. Greinke was diagnosed with a "social disorder" and the arbitration process isn't the most pleasant of proceedings. I can't picture arguing for a pay raise while your bosses point out everything bad about you that they can dig up.

Sportingnews.com has him ranked ahead of Free Agent signees A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe, which makes his signing that much more of a bargain!

I personally believe that Kansas City can be this year's Tamp Bay Rays, where nobody sees them coming. While I'm not predicting World Series, I do see good things ahead for this younf and talented team.

Padres Arms Race In 2007

There's been a lot of buzz going around about the Padres being the "it" team for 2007.

Most of the buzz revolves around starters Jake Peavy, Chris Young, and Clay Hensley who's numbers are crunched below for the last three years.

Jake Peavy (5/31/1981) Age: 26
6.31 IP 0.31 BB/IP 0.93 H/IP 1.06 SO/IP 4.10 ERA
6.77 IP 0.25 BB/IP 0.80 H/IP 1.06 SO/IP 2.88 ERA
6.15 IP 0.32 BB/IP 0.88 H/IP 1.04 SO/IP 2.28 ERA

Peavy is normally good for 6+ innings, does a decent job of not walking people (0.30 BB/IP), gives up less than a hit per inning (less than 0.90) and strikes out more than 1 per inning (1.05 K/IP). Last year's uncharacteristic ERA most likely had something to do with his competing in the WBC. I look for a bounceback year with an ERA under 3.00.


Chris Young (5/25/1979) Age: 28
5.77 IP 0.39 BB/IP 0.75 H/IP 0.92 SO/IP 3.47 ERA
5.29 IP 0.27 BB/IP 0.99 H/IP 0.84 SO/IP 4.28 ERA
5.14 IP 0.28 BB/IP 1.00 H/IP 0.75 SO/IP 4.75 ERA

Young averages less than 6 innings a start, but is getting closer. His walk rate went way up from his average of the previous two years. His H/IP has continually gone down three straight years, while his K/IP has gone up three straight years. Moving from the American League (Ballpark at Arlington) to the National League (Petco) helped bring his ERA down 0.89 points!

Clay Hensley (8/31/1979) Age: 28
5.05 IP 0.41 BB/IP 0.93 H/IP 0.65 SO/IP 3.71 ERA
1.96 IP 0.36 BB/IP 0.70 H/IP 0.60 SO/IP 1.72 ERA

It's difficult to analyze a player based on one full year, He walks more guys than either Young or Peavy, and strikes out significantly less. He's also a better second half pitcher, and better at home.

Home 3.00 ERA 1.25 WHIP .233 BAA
Away 3.83 ERA 1.34 WHIP .250 BAA

Pre All Star 4.79 ERA 1.37 WHIP .261 BAA
Post All-Star 2.31 ERA 1.23 WHIP .226 BAA