Rotohelp.com

by Tim Polko

Per popular request, I will provide all of the player information tables for these articles even if I still need to complete comments for some pitchers.

National League Relief Pitchers with DV below $-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.
Age = Player's Age as of October 1, 2004.
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.
RAR = Runs Above Replacement; Adjusted RAR = RAR modified to
consider whether a pitcher qualified as a starter in Scoresheet fantasy baseball .

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.

168. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Marty McLeary 0 0 14.73 2.45 4 2 7 3.2
SD Padres 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 29 P:R B:R -4 -4 -4.1 -4.2

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: San Diego for my comments on McLeary.

169. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Scott Service 1 0 7.08 1.67 17 10 24 20.1
ARI Diamondbacks 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 37 P:R B:R -4 -4 -3.5 -3.5

Compiling a 3.09 ERA on a 27:5 K:BB in 23.1 IP with 24 H and 2 HR over 23 G for AAA Tucson(PCL) earned Service another shot with the Diamondbacks. While he briefly ranked as the club's designated closer, skyrocketing walk and homer rates eviscerated his value. Back problems forced him onto the DL for most of July and August, and his failure to rebound in September likely contributed to his failure to find a new team this winter. Don't expect Service to contribute in any league even if he joins an affiliated club in the near future.

170. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Mike Johnston 0 0 4.37 1.94 18 15 29 22.2
PIT Pirates 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 25 P:L B:L -4 -4 3.7 3.7

With Mike Gonzalez clearly established as one of the most promising young relievers in the game, Johnston appears in competition with John Grabow for one bullpen spot unless the Pirates plan to carry three left-handed relievers all season. Although Grabow collapsed down the stretch, he at least managed decent skills in the first half. Johnston missed several weeks due to elbow problems and struggled at both Pittsburgh and AAA Nashville even when ostensibly healthy. He still suffered from control problems despite signs of dominance in the AFL, so Johnston's likely limited immediate upside should keep him off all 2005 fantasy teams.

171. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Eddie Oropesa 2 0 11.00 2.11 6 13 6 9
SD Padres 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 32 P:L B:L -4 -4 -5.9 -5.9

I admit that his 2.31 ERA on a 54:19 K:BB in 46.2 IP for AAA Portland(PCL) last summer suggests he still should develop into a reliable middle reliever, however his awful command in the majors indicates severe qualitative downside. As Oropesa's struggles this spring with the Cubs almost certainly will keep him from finding more than a few innings during the season given Chicago's bullpen depth, you simply shouldn't see him on many free agent lists this summer.

172. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Marc Kroon 0 0 6.00 2.83 3 10 7 6
COL Rockies 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 31 P:R B:R -4 -4 -0.2 -0.4

173. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Brian Cooper 0 0 8.78 1.50 7 5 15 13.1
SF Giants 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 30 P:R B:R -4 -4 -5.1 -5.5

174. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Todd Wellemeyer 2 0 5.92 1.93 30 20 27 24.1
CH Cubs 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 26 P:R B:R -4 -3 -0.7 -1.5

175. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Leo Estrella 0 0 27.00 6.75 0 1 8 1.1
SF Giants 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 29 P:R B:R -4 -4 -3.5 -3.5

176. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Phil Norton 2 0 5.07 1.66 48 38 71 65.2
CIN Reds 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 28 P:L B:R -4 -3 4.9 2.7

177. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Brian Falkenborg 1 0 7.53 1.95 11 9 19 14.1
LA Dodgers 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 26 P:R B:R -4 -4 -3.3 -3.8

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: Los Angeles for my comments on Falkenborg.

178. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Chad Bentz 0 0 5.86 1.66 18 23 23 27.2
MON Expos 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 24 P:L B:R -4 -4 -0.6 -0.6

179. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Wayne Franklin 2 0 6.39 1.52 40 22 55 50.2
SF Giants 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 30 P:L B:L -4 -3 -4.5 -6.2

180. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Brandon Puffer 0 0 5.50 1.94 12 11 24 18
SD Padres 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 28 P:R B:R -4 -4 0.4 0.4

181. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Ian Snell 0 0 7.50 1.92 9 9 14 12
PIT Pirates 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 22 P:R B:R -4 -4 -2.7 -3.1

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: Pittsburgh for my comments on Snell.

182. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Shane Nance 1 0 5.84 2.51 9 12 19 12.1
ARI Diamondbacks 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 27 P:L B:L -4 -4 -0.2 -0.2

183. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
John Grabow 2 1 5.11 1.77 64 28 81 61.2
PIT Pirates 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 25 P:L B:L -4 -3 4.4 2.3

184. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Jason Szuminski 0 0 7.20 2.30 5 11 12 10
SD Padres 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 25 P:R B:R -4 -4 -1.9 -2.2

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: Chicago(N) for my comments on Szuminski.

185. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Carmen Cali 0 0 8.59 2.59 8 6 13 7.1
STL Cardinals 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 25 P:L B:L -4 -4 -2.6 -2.6

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: St. Louis for my comments on Cali.

186. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Oscar Villarreal 0 0 7.00 1.78 17 7 25 18
ARI Diamondbacks 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 22 P:R B:L -4 -4 -2.9 -3.5

187. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Todd Van Poppel 4 0 6.09 1.46 72 32 136 115.1
CIN Reds 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 32 P:R B:R -4 -3 -5.8 -9.6

188. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
David Aardsma 1 0 6.75 2.81 5 10 20 10.2
SF Giants 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 22 P:R B:R -4 -4 -1.4 -1.4

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: San Francisco for my comments on Aardsma.

189. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Turk Wendell 0 0 7.02 1.98 11 12 21 16.2
COL Rockies 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 37 P:R B:L -4 -4 -2.8 -2.8

190. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Ricky Stone 2 0 6.45 1.59 38 16 66 51.2
HOU/SD 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 29 P:R B:R -4 -4 -4.9 -4.9

191. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Brian Reith 2 0 7.27 1.88 24 19 30 26
CIN Reds 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 26 P:R B:R -4 -4 -5.1 -6

192. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Grant Roberts 0 0 17.36 3.21 1 6 9 4.2
NY Mets 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 27 P:R B:R -4 -5 -6.7 -6.7

193. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Aaron Small 0 0 8.27 1.90 8 7 24 16.1
FLO Marlins 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 32 P:R B:R -4 -5 -5.2 -5.8

194. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Mike Fetters 0 1 8.68 1.98 14 14 23 18.2
ARI Diamondbacks 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 39 P:R B:R -5 -4 -6.9 -6.9

195. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Kevin Correia 0 0 8.05 1.84 14 10 25 19
SF Giants 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 24 P:R B:R -5 -5 -5.6 -6.2

196. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Adrian Hernandez 0 0 8.44 2.13 14 14 20 16
MIL Brewers 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 29 P:R B:R -5 -5 -5.4 -6

197. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Jeff Fassero 3 0 5.46 1.61 60 44 136 112
COL/ARI 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 41 P:L B:L -5 -4 3 -0.7

198. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Brandon Duckworth 1 0 6.86 1.73 23 13 55 39.1
HOU Astros 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 28 P:R B:R -5 -5 -5.7 -7.1

199. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Chris Gissell 0 0 14.54 2.65 11 3 20 8.2
COL Rockies 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 26 P:R B:R -5 -5 -9.5 -9.8

Please refer to our Post-2004 Prospect Review: Colorado for my comments on Gissell.

200. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Michael Tejera 0 0 13.50 2.57 10 9 15 9.1
FLO/TEX 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 27 P:L B:L -5 -5 -9 -9.3

201. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Tyler Yates 2 0 6.36 1.84 35 25 61 46.2
NY Mets 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 27 P:R B:R -5 -5 -3.9 -5.5

202. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Matt Kinney 3 0 6.06 1.70 73 30 104 78.2
MIL/KC 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 27 P:R B:R -6 -4 -3.7 -6.3

203. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Javier Lopez 1 0 7.52 1.75 20 26 45 40.2
COL Rockies 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 27 P:L B:L -6 -5 -9.3 -9.3

204. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Stephen Randolph 2 0 5.51 1.82 62 76 73 81.2
ARI Diamondbacks 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 30 P:L B:L -6 -5 1.7 -1

205. W S ERA WHIP K BB H IP
Lance Cormier 1 0 8.14 1.92 24 25 62 45.1
ARI Diamondbacks 4x4 5x5 RAR Adj. RAR
Age: 24 P:R B:R -7 -7 -13.8 -15.3

'05 AA/AAA Relief Pitcher Week begins tomorrow.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Snell and Correia comprise the abbreviated list of pitching prospects worthy of more than a brief glance from the extended roster of journeymen relievers discussed above. However, even these two youngsters currently lack the opportunity to contribute in the majors, which only leaves them as a decent options in especially deep NL leagues.

Click here to read the previous article.

Please e-mail your comments to tim@rotohelp.com.




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	March 13^th 2005			Your Daily Fantasy Rx