Today's Fantasy Rx

Please refer to last Monday'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

Arizona Diamondbacks

123
aBXY - Randy Johnson

1
abXy - Byung-Hyun Kim

a
bXy - Curt Schilling
bxy - Eddie Oropesa
xy - Mike Fetters
b - Mike Myers
x - Miguel Batista
x - John Patterson

b
x - Matt Mantei

x
Todd Stottlemyre

Recent Diamondbacks who didn't qualify for any LPR score include Brian Anderson, Geraldo Guzman, Rick Helling, Eric Knott, Mike Mohler, Mike Morgan, Jose Parra, Bret Prinz, Armando Reynoso, Russ Springer, Greg Swindell, and Bobby Witt.

Arizona's kept their staff relatively intact for the last three years, although they're starting to add younger talent like Patterson, Koplove, and Prinz instead of continually relying on veterans. Of course, Johnson and Schilling remain the elite starters in the National League, and both merit significant investments since each almost guarantees you a good finish in the qualitative categories, not to mention strikeouts. Batista is a perfectly usable #4 starter and won't hurt you, and Patterson's demonstrated notable upside after finally recovering from a few years of injury troubles; all five of Arizona's starters could reach double-digit value.

Byung-Hyun Kim's wish to start leaves the bullpen somewhat unsettled, especially when Mantei's still earning closer money. Don't be too surprised if Kim begins the year in the rotation, leaving Mantei as the best bet for saves. Koplove and Myers are solid setup guys, and while we expect Kim to settle back into a middle relief role where he'll hold the most value, he also shouldn't hurt you if he starts. There's a lot of talent on this pitching staff right now and a few more solid prospects in the upper minors, so the only risk you accept when rostering most of these guys is the recurrence of injury troubles.

Colorado Rockies

a
bXy - Jose Jimenez
bxy - Todd Jones
b - Brian Fuentes
Justin Speier

b
xy - Chris Nichting
y - Joe Davenport
Todd Belitz
Sean Lowe

y
Mike James

Recent Rockies who didn't qualify for any LPR score include Rigo Beltran, Brian Bohanon, Shawn Chacon, Tim Christman, Aaron Cook, Mark Corey, Craig Dingman, Jerry DiPoto, Scott Elarton, Horacio Estrada, Randy Flores, Mike Hampton, Craig House, Jason Jennings, Kent Mercker, David Moraga, Denny Neagle, Victor Santos, Dennis Stark, and Corey Vance.

Despite the unmerited media buzz that led to Jason Jennings' Rookie of the Year win, Colorado starters still are terrible targets in almost any fantasy game. While Jennings, Stark, and perhaps even Neagle and Chacon might contribute wins, they'll destroy any available qualitative categories. Even Jason Young, who we believe will emerge as a quality ace within the next couple years, likely won't ever break into double-digits because of the negative influences of Coors.

However Rockies' relievers remain somewhat interesting, particularly if you need roster filler when they're on road trips. Todd Jones is a solid saves sleeper and still possesses decent skills, while Fuentes, Speier, and Nichting won't hurt you under most circumstances. Jimenez, like most Colorado closers over the last decade, is the one exception who you should feel comfortable drafting due to his relatively solid skills. Only the likelihood that he'll be dealt at some point to a team that will use him as a middle reliever keeps us from recommending him more strongly.

I'll continue reviewing the new LPR scores tomorrow with pitchers from Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Both Mantei and Todd Jones retain the necessary skills to return to a primary late-inning role, so if Arizona shifts Kim to the rotation or Colorado deals Jimenez to save salary, Mantei and Jones each could net two dozen or more saves. Look to roster Mantei for a few bucks as a setup man while trying to sneak Jones in an early reserve round, although Jones merits a bid of a buck or two as long as you can sit him at home until Jimenez departs.