With Jason Schmidt undergoing shoulder surgery, 2nd-year pitcher Chad Billingsley will enter the rotation after spending this season in relief. Some may have forgotten what made Billingsley such a hyped prospect entering 2006, and what he did to lose that sheen.
In short, Billingley stopped striking out batters and started walking them in combinations he hadn't previously done. As a result, he was moved to middle relief this season to rediscover the command he had lost. Because he wasn't close to the closer's role with the Dodgers, he has fallen by the wayside of fantasy attention.
But his success this season in the bullpen makes him deserving of increased attention as he moves back to the rotation. He is still young enough to be considered in the same class as this season's ultra-hyped pitching prospects - Tim Lincecum, Yovanni Gallardo, Phil Hughes and Homer Bailey. But he has an edge. He has major league innings under his belt. Because of that, I expect him to do just as well as any of those pitchers over the remainder of this season.
| Year | Team | Age | Level | G | GS | W | L | SO | ERA | WHIP | IP | H | BB | K9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Ogden | 19 | Rk | 11 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 62 | 2.83 | 1.19 | 54 | 49 | 15 | 10.33 |
| 2004 | Vero Beach | 20 | A+ | 18 | 18 | 7 | 4 | 111 | 2.35 | 1.27 | 92 | 68 | 49 | 10.86 |
| 2004 | Jcksnvlle | 20 | AA | 8 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 47 | 2.98 | 1.28 | 42.1 | 32 | 22 | 9.99 |
| 2005 | Jcksnvlle | 21 | AA | 28 | 26 | 13 | 6 | 162 | 3.51 | 1.14 | 146 | 116 | 50 | 9.99 |
| 2006 | Las Vegas | 22 | AAA | 13 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 78 | 3.95 | 1.26 | 70.2 | 57 | 32 | 9.93 |
| 2006 | LA Dodgers | 22 | MLB | 18 | 16 | 7 | 4 | 59 | 3.80 | 1.67 | 90 | 92 | 58 | 5.90 |
| 2007 | LA Dodgers | 23 | MLB | 23 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 40 | 3.09 | 1.20 | 35 | 29 | 13 | 10.29 |