Today's Fantasy Rx

Please refer to yesterday's article for an in-depth look at the new LPR codes.

Unfortunately we encountered a rather annoying roadblock while compiling the statistics for these articles. We were unable to locate pitcher game logs for 2000 that include detailed data like G-F ratio. I will certainly update this article if I discover that data in an easily accessible format, however we're currently lacking any c, C, z, or Z ratings for the moment. We regret any inconvenience this causes you.

The following each require a 25 IP minimum in each season:

1 - K/9 of 6.0+, BB/9 of 3.0-, H/9 of 9.0-, HR/9 of 1.0-,
     and G-F of 1.0+ in 25+ IP in 2002.
2 - K/9 of 6.0+, BB/9 of 3.0-, H/9 of 9.0-, HR/9 of 1.0-,
     and G-F of 1.0+ in 25+ IP in 2001.
3 - K/9 of 6.0+, BB/9 of 3.0-, H/9 of 9.0-, HR/9 of 1.0-,
     and G-F of 1.0+ in 25+ IP in 2000.

QA score for starts: up to 5 total points, one for each statistical goal, to any starter who pitches at least 5 innings and fulfills any of the following skill qualifications: K>=IP-2, BB<=IP/3, H<=IP, HR<=1, and G-F>=1.00. Any starter who doesn't reach any of the required statistical goals or fails to pitch 5 innings earns a 0 QA score.

QA score for relief outings: up to 5 total points, one for each statistical goal, to any reliever who retires at least one batter and fulfills any of the following skill qualifications: K>=IP, BB=0, H<=IP, HR=0, and G-F>=1.00. Any reliever who doesn't reach any of the required statistical goals or fails to retire a batter earns a 0 QA score.

Note: Pitchers must pitch in five games before scoring DOM or DIS points.

a - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2002 appearances
A - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 75% of 2002 appearances
b - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2001 appearances
B - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 75% of 2001 appearances
c - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2000 appearances
C - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 75% of 2000 appearances

x - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2002 appearances
X - QA score below 3 in no more than 10% of 2002 appearances
y - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2001 appearances
Y - QA score below 3 in no more than 10% of 2001 appearances
z - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2000 appearances
Z - QA score below 3 in no more than 10% of 2000 appearances

Baltimore Orioles

12
abxy - Buddy Groom

a
Rodrigo Lopez
Sidney Ponson
John Stephens

b
y - John Parrish
Rick Bauer
Willis Roberts

x
Jorge Julio

Y
John Bale.

Recent Orioles who didn't qualify for any LPR score include Steve Bechler, Erik Bedard, Lesli Brea, Chris Brock, Sean Douglass, Travis Driskill, Eric DuBose, Scott Erickson, Kris Foster, Pat Hentgen, Jason Johnson, Ryan Kohlmeier, Calvin Maduro, Jose Mercedes, Alan Mills, Yorkis Perez, Luis Rivera, B.J. Ryan, Jay Spurgeon, Josh Towers, and John Wasdin.

Groom is the safest target on the Orioles due to his consistently solid skills, however starters Lopez, Ponson, and Stephens offer much more upside. We don't see much competition for Julio in the closer's role, so he should remain a valuable fantasy player in 2003. Assuming he completely recovers after missing the 2002 season due to injury, John Parrish might emerge as a viable fantasy option, however few teams bother carrying a third lefty reliever.

Of the non-qualifiers, I remain intrigued by Jason Johnson's potential, and B.J. Ryan's continually impressive strikeout totals increase his usefulness in 5x5 leagues. Josh Towers may have displayed the worst skills in the majors of anyone listed here, and I don't expect he'll show any promise in Toronto this year; avoid him in all fantasy leagues.

Boston Red Sox

123
aBxy - Pedro Martinez

1
abx - Alan Embree

2
b - John Burkett

3
abXy - Derek Lowe
b - Rod Beck

a
bXy - Ugueth Urbina
xy - Tim Wakefield
Rich Garces
Chris Haney

b
Bryce Florie

x
Willie Banks

y
Allen McDill

Recent Red Sox who didn't qualify for any LPR score include Rolando Arrojo, Carlos Castillo, Frank Castillo, David Cone, Paxton Crawford, Rick Croushore, Todd Erdos, Casey Fossum, Wayne Gomes, Josh Hancock, Dustin Hermanson, Bobby Howry, Sang-Hoon Lee, Darren Oliver, Steve Ontiveros, Jesus Pena, Bret Saberhagen, Pete Schourek, Rob Stanifer, and Tim Young.

While Pedro stands on his own in terms of both skill dominance and consistency, Boston possesses several other intriguing roto options. Alan Embree will be overvalued due to his current status as de facto closer, but he should succeed in any role. Lowe, Urbina, and Wakefield remain excellent options, and I think John Burkett might post one more round of good numbers. If Rod Beck is truly healthy, then he looks like an excellent sleeper saves' candidate for the Cubs.

Frank Castillo, Casey Fossum, and Bobby Howry are the top candidates to earn significant roto value in 2003 of Boston pitchers without an LPR score, mostly because they're the only pitchers I see here likely to spend much of next season in the majors. However I harbor reservations about the short-term upside of all three, and you might want to wait until you see one of them post solid skills in 2003 before rostering him.

I'll continue reviewing the new LPR scores tomorrow with the other three teams in the American League East.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Please let us know if you know of any detailed 2000 game logs for pitchers.