We will be posting one of these articles everyday of the week until Opening Day. This is the last one…
1. Tim Lincecum – The winner of the last two National League Cy Young awards, Lincecum has been the best starter in baseball. He strikes out more batters than anybody and will have an ERA around 2.50. The Giants offense will cost him in the win and loss column but no pitcher should be taken before Lincecum. Only 25, he’ll contend for his third straight Cy Young.
2. Roy Halladay – He gets the benefit of moving from an average lineup in Toronto to the best in the National League with the Phillies. No longer having to face DH’s, his ERA on the road should improve. Citizens Bank Park gives up a lot of home runs so his home ERA could be higher than expected. Has the ability and offense behind him to win 20 games, Halladay should be drafted quickly soon after Tim Lincecum.
3. Felix Hernandez – A consistent starter ever since the prodigy entered the majors, he had a career year last season. After Ichiro, the rest of the Mariners offense is average so his win total will probably be around 18 games. He’ll still be only 23 by Opening Day and be 24 shortly after, Hernandez had tremendous upside and will only get better. Worthy of a early round pick.
4. CC Sabathia – His ERA will never be as low as it was in 2008 when he dominated the National League with Milwaukee for half a season playing in Yankee Stadium, but Sabathia is still a dominant pitcher. Sabathia will strike out over 200 batters and have an ERA of about 3.20. With the Bronx Bombers hitting home runs at a record pace, Sabathia could lead the league in wins with 22, possibly more.
5. Adam Wainwright – His ERA has been dropping over the years to a dominant 2.63. Nearly won 20 games last season, Wainwright could reach the 20 win plateau if he continues to lower his ERA backed up with the Cardinals strong offense. Striking out 200 batters for the second year in a row is also a possibility. Since there are a few other pitchers that will be drafted ahead of him because of name recognition, Wainwright should be drafted in the third or fourth rounds.
