BY ROB SHAW
Sportsnet.ca
Always the greatest variable in fantasy baseball due to their brittle nature, big-league pitchers tossed some surprises our way this season. In fact, half of the pitchers ranked in the top 10 prior to the 2009 season failed to crack the top-20 rankings following the season. Meanwhile, four of the top five pitchers of the '09 season didn't make the cut in our preseason rankings. Here's a look at the top 20 pitchers from the 2009 fantasy baseball season.
Top 20 2009 Starting Pitchers
1) Zack Greinke, SP, Royals
The most dominant pitcher in Major League Baseball this season was a Kansas City Royal for the first time since Brett Saberhagen was in his prime. While a lack of run support limited Greinke to just 16 wins, the 242 strikeouts, 1.07 WHIP and 2.16 ERA are enough to make Greinke the 2009 King of the Hill.
2) Tim Lincecum, SP, Giants
The defending NL Cy Young Award winner managed to cut his ERA from 2.62 to 2.48 and his WHIP from 1.17 to 1.05. Despite his dominance on the hill, which included limiting the opposition to a .206 average, poor run support limited Lincecum to just 15 wins, which explains why he ranks behind Greinke in fantasy value.
3) Felix Hernandez, SP, Mariners
By winning his final seven decisions, Felix Hernandez capped off a remarkable season. In fact, the 23-year-old phenom made the leap from stardom to superstardom by establishing career highs across the board including 19 wins, 217 strikeouts, a 2.49 ERA, and a 1.14 WHIP. Hernandez will be a legitimate-first- or early-second-round pick in next year's fantasy drafts.
4) Javier Vazquez, SP, Braves
Apparently, Javier Vazquez is more at home in the National League. After a rocky tenure with the White Sox, Vazquez enjoyed his best overall season with 15 wins, 238 strikeouts, and a career best 2.87 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. At 33-year's old, Vazquez is far from a sure bet for a repeat performance next season.
5) Chris Carpenter, SP, Cardinals
Finally healthy, former Cy Young award winner Chris Carpenter returned to an elite level of play with 17 wins, a 2.24 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. The 34-year-old veteran will have to improve his durability in order to remain a fantasy contributor.
6) Dan Haren, SP, Diamondbacks
The usual second-half stupor took away from his fine season once again, however, at the end of the season, Haren offered dominant statistics with 14 wins, a 3.14 ERA, 223 strikeouts, and perhaps most impressively, a 1.00 WHIP.
7) Roy Halladay, SP, Blue Jays
While a lot has been made out of his staying in Toronto leading to less-passionate efforts, Roy Halladay's statistics suggest otherwise. After a 2.85 ERA at the All-Star break, Halladay had a 2.72 ERA in the second half of the season. In September, Halladay made six starts, going the distance in four of those starts and shuting out the opposition in three. Overall, with 17 wins, a 2.79 ERA, and 1.13 WHIP, Halladay will be the center of exciting trade rumors this off-season.
8) Adam Wainwright, SP, Cardinals
At 28-year's old, Adam Wainwright enjoyed his finest season with 19 wins, 212 strikeouts, and a 2.63 ERA. He was particularly dominant in the second half of the season with a 9-3 record, 97 strikeouts and 2.10 ERA. Currently in his prime, Wainwright is worth an early draft pick next season.
9) Justin Verlander, SP, Tigers
Fresh off a disastrous season, Justin Verlander bounced back for the Tigers. The 26-year-old flamethrower struck out 269 hitters en route to 19 wins and a 3.45 ERA. He was particularly clutch down the stretch with three straight wins while the Tigers tumbled.
10) CC Sabathia, SP, Yankees
The Yankees believe CC Sabathia earned his paycheck in Year One with 19 wins, a 3.37 ERA and 197 strikeouts. At just 29-year's old, Sabathia should enjoy many more solid years ahead, making him the most likely hurler to secure 300 career wins.
11) Josh Johnson, SP, Marlins
After practically missing the last two seasons due to injuries, Josh Johnson returned to form in 2009 with 15 wins, a 3.23 ERA and 191 strikeouts. The combination of good control and great velocity make Johnson, just 25-year's old, one of the better young hurlers in the game.
12) Matt Cain, SP, Giants
Giants veteran Matt Cain made it a two-man show this season in San Francisco. Losing four of his final five starts did not mar what was otherwise, a standout season. Cain established career highs with 14 wins, a 2.89 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP.
13) Jair Jurrjens, SP, Braves
One of the most underrated pitchers in the Major Leagues, Jair Jurrjens deserves more respect. The Braves 23-year-old phenom earned 14 wins with 152 strikeouts with a stellar 2.60 ERA. He's a fine under-the-radar pick as a fantasy ace in 2010.
14) Ted Lilly, SP, Cubs
Ted Lilly is only getting better with age. The veteran southpaw went 12-9 for the Cubs with a 3.10 ERA and outstanding 1.06 WHIP. The California native enters next season at 34 year's young.
15) Randy Wolf, SP, Dodgers
Who would have thought that Randy Wolf would be the staff ace for the Dodgers? The 33-year-old southpaw earned just 11 wins due to poor run support, but more impressive were his 3.23 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. Always injury-prone, it is difficult to predict what lies in store for Wolf next season.
16) Jon Lester, SP, Red Sox
This season, Red Sox hurler Jon Lester proved that '08's fine season was legit. As the No. 2 hurler behind Josh Beckett, Lester earned 15 wins and a career high 225 strikeouts. The team's 2002 second-round pick should continue to improve as he reaches his prime.
17) Wandy Rodriguez, SP, Astros
For the first time in a long time, Roy Oswalt was not the ace of the Astros rotation. Instead it was 30-year-old southpaw Wandy Rodriguez who earned the honor. He finished the season with career highs across the board including 14 wins, 193 strikeouts and a 3.02 ERA.
18) Josh Beckett, SP, Red Sox
One of the top clutch pitchers of our time, Josh Beckett offered a fine season for the Red Sox. He racked up 17 wins, a career-best 199 strikeouts and a respectable 3.86 ERA.
19) Ubaldo Jimenez, SP, Rockies
The ace of the Colorado Rockies, Ubaldo Jimenez was instrumental in the team's second-half success as he went 9-3 with a 3.08 ERA after the All-Star break. Overall, Jimenez won 15 games, struck out 198 batters and managed a respectable 1.23 WHIP despite 85 walks.
20) Cliff Lee, SP, Phillies
Thanks in large part to the increased run support after joining the Phillies in a mid-season trade, Lee rounds out the top 20 with 14 wins, a 3.22 ERA and 181 strikeouts. Though far from his remarkable 22-3 2008 season, Lee was a solid hurler in '09.
Preseason Top 10 Rankings
1) Johan Santana, SP, Mets
An injury wrecked what looked to be his best season as Santana owned a 0.78 ERA after his first seven starts. Unfortunately, Santana then hurt his elbow, ending his season on Aug. 20 with 13 wins, a 3.13 ERA, and 146 strikeouts. With Citi Field playing big, fantasy managers should expect Santana to return to dominance next season.
2) Tim Lincecum, SP, Giants
3) CC Sabathia, SP, Yankees
4) Brandon Webb, SP, Diamondbacks
Sadly, Brandon Webb made just one start all season. The former Cy Young winner has undergone major shoulder surgery and will have to work hard to return to his once dominant form. He will likely carry little if any value in 2010.
5) Cole Hamels, SP, Phillies
The 25-year-old, hard-throwing southpaw regressed this season with a 10-11 record and a 4.32 ERA. While this may prove to be a hiccup, when you consider the home-run-friendly Citizens Bank Park confines, I would look for better options in the early rounds of fantasy drafts in 2010.
6) Dan Haren, SP, Diamondbacks
7) Jake Peavy, SP, White Sox
An ankle injury shelved Jake Peavy for most of the season. Nonetheless, Peavy dominated in his final three starts with Chicago, increasing his value heading into the 2010 season.
8) Roy Halladay, SP, Blue Jays
9) John Lackey, SP, Angels
After missing the first five weeks of the season, John Lackey pitched well. He racked up 11 wins and a 3.83 ERA. Fantasy managers should pay attention to how the free agent to be handles the post-season.
10) Chad Billingsley, SP, Dodgers
Due to a lack of control and consistency, Chad Billingsley regressed this season. Overall, the numbers aren't all that bad as the 25-year-old flamethrower picked up 12 wins with a 4.03 ERA. Nonetheless, fantasy managers expecting Billingsley to emerge as a Major League ace learned otherwise.
