Fantasy Baseball: Early Mock Draft- Round 2, Pick 1.

by Ian, yo on Nov 24, 2009 9:46 PM EST in Baseball

Yeah, that's right. First pitcher off the board. If you're drafting hitters based on 5x5 categories, chances are you are in a league that counts 5x5 for pitching also. I think it's fairly clear that Lincecum is the best pitcher in the game right now and he should dominate at least three categories and put up a decent win total as well. I am among the few who don't draft a pitcher based on previous win totals and I don't put a ton of thought into supporting cast. Here are a few reasons....

-K/9: While his K/9 dropped off slightly, 10.42 led the major leagues for starters and is nothing to scoff at.

-GB% increase from 43.8 in 2008 to 47.5 in 2009.

-BB/9 drop from 3.33 in 2008 to 2.72 in 2009.

Since Lincecum has pitched in the Majors for two full years and a partial year in 2007, one can see improvement but I wouldn't get overly excited. If there is one pitcher in the major leagues right now that can strike out 300 batters in a season, it's Lincecum. For that, I will happily draft him in the beginning of the second round. If only the Giants would acquire a bat or six, Lincecum could win more than 15 games.

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licecum will never strike out 300 in a season..

he doesnt have the wipeout pitch that gets you 300 Ks… he has a changeup but changeups arent wipeout K pitch like a slider… his curve is not THAT great K pitch either… i think linecucum unless he develops a new better pitch has reached the ceiling of striking out batters

by matthewmafa on Nov 24, 2009 10:27 PM EST reply actions

I’m not saying he will strike out 300 batters. I’m saying if anyone could, it’s Lincecum. He struck out 261 compared to Verlander’s 269 in 15 less innings.

by Ian, yo on Nov 24, 2009 10:37 PM EST reply actions