Today's Fantasy Rx

American League Starting Pitchers with DV of $-2 and $-3

Quick Key to the tables:
W = Wins.  S = Saves.  ERA = Earned Run Average (ER*9/IP).
WHIP = (Walks + Hits)/IP aka Ratio.  K = Strikeouts.  BB = Bases on Balls aka Walks.
H = Hits.  IP = Innings Pitched.  P = Pitches.  B = Bats.
2003 Age = Player's Age as of October 1, 2003.
4x4 = BA, HR, RBI, and SB in 12-team, $260 leagues with 23-man rosters.
5x5 = BA, HR, RBI, SB, and R in 12-team, $260 leagues with 23-man rosters.
DV = Draft Value (The price a player earned under a 70/30 hitting/pitching split).
AV = Actual Value (The price a player earned under a 50/50 hitting/pitching split).
Rotohelp = 2003 Rotohelp Predicted Draft Value.
LABR/Tout = 2003 Expert League prices; LABR for 4x4. Tout Wars for 5x5.

Average league worst BA, ERA, and WHIP based on data compiled from TQ Stats.

Players are ranked in order from the highest draft value in a 4x4 league to the lowest. As the majority of fantasy leagues allow you to keep anyone traded to the other league, all players are listed in the league where they began the season.

75.		W	S	ERA	WHIP	K	BB	H	IP
Miguel Asencio		2	0	5.21	1.55	27	21	54	48.1
KC Royals		DV		AV		Rotohelp		LABR/Tout
P:R    B:R	4x4:	-2		-4		0
2003 Age: 23	5x5:	-1		-3		1		1

Despite persistent rumors to the contrary, I see no reason for the Royals to place Asencio back in their rotation. His progress over the past two seasons is noteworthy only because he wouldn't have sniffed the majors until 2004 without the Rule 5 draft, and his need for surgery last June to remove bone chips from his elbow doesn't explain his persistently weak skills. While his modicum of success suggests respectable long-term upside, Asencio's weak command and unimpressive statistical history give us little reason to expect him to provide much help to the Royals or fantasy teams this year. If he wins a starting spot, avoid him unless you see his skills improve or your team grows desperate for innings.

50 Days to Choose Your Pitchers: '04 continues tomorrow with more American League starters.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Ismael Valdes is most likely to rebound in 2004 thanks to his move to San Diego, however Jeremy Bonderman and Nate Robertson also intrigue me given their flashes of solid skills. Either pitcher is a good late-round gamble assuming they keep their rotation spots as expected.