SBC Park Park Factors: Hits 98; Runs 91; HRs 66
(100 is average, under 100 is favorable to pitchers)
Values ~ 2000: -$5 2001: $6 2002: $13 2003: $34
Schmidt turned in a Cy Young caliber season last year despite an ailing elbow down the stretch which required post-season surgery. Schmidt's fastball tops out in the mid 90s and he complements it with a hard slider. He's had a sore shoulder this spring and will probably open the season on the DL.
Values ~ 2000: NA 2001: NA 2002: NA 2003: $7
Williams is another of the Giant's top young starting pitching prospects and was effective, after his call-up. He throws a low 90s fastball and an above-average curve and change. He's maintained very good ratios despite moving quickly up the organizational ladder. His K rate at AAA in a year and a half was .78 so I'm not concerned about the slightly below-average index above.
Values ~ 2000: $2 2001: -$2 2002: $12 2003: -$3
Rueter’s strikeout rate has declined in recent years and last year was just .27 in a season hampered by a strained shoulder. Even in 2002 when he was healthy and effective, Rueter's K rate was just .37. Rueter is a finesse pitcher who throws a high 80s fastball that he will cut or sink, curve and change. A borderline pick if healthy.
Values ~ 2000: $5 2001: $0 2002: -$4 2003: -$12
Tomko was terrible last year, leading the NL in hits and earned runs allowed. When he was with Cincinnati, McKeon openly questioned his toughness. His ratios have deteriorated from that point in time. He features a fastball, slider combination. Filler pick.
Values ~ 2000: $1 2001: $0 2002: -$3 2003: $1
Hermanson was ineffective working in relief for St. Louis last year, was released and given a chance to start for SF with better success. Hermanson throws a low 90s fastball, cutter, slider and change. He's struggled with his mechanics throughout his career and has been inconsistent as a result. I'd consider him as a borderline selection in this park.
Values ~ 2000: -$1 2001: -$5 2002: $3 2003: -$14
Franklin had been a lefty reliever throughout his pro career before 2002 when he went into the rotation at AAA. He turned in a very good set of ratios that year and pitched himself into the Brewer rotation. As the ratios show, things didn't go so well particularly in the second half. At the break the league was hitting .238 against Franklin and he had a 4.81 ERA; afterwards he was hit at a .312 clip and had an ERA of 6.60. Pass.
Values ~ 2000: NA 2001: NA 2002: NA 2003: -$6
Foppert will miss 2004 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He has a fastball that reaches the upper 90's, a hard slider and a split that is his off-speed pitch. Foppert blew through AA and AAA in 2002; however a walk rate of .40 and high HR Rate indicate he still has some progress to make in terms of plate command.
Values ~ 2000: $35 2001: $31 2002: $29 2003: NA
Nen has had two surgeries on his shoulder since the end of the 2002 season and his status for this season remains uncertain. When healthy, he features a mid 90s fastball and a slider with a vicious break. He's remarkable to watch because he taps his foot to the ground during his delivery to the plate. Will close for SF if he proves healthy.
Values ~ 2000: $10 2001: $21 2002: $6 2003: $7
Rodriguez was ineffective in both May, when he had a virus that caused him to lose 20 pounds and lose velocity. and in August, when he went on the DL with a strained side. Otherwise, he put up good numbers. This is the second year in a row that injuries have cut into Rodriguez' value. Rodriguez should interest owners for the outstanding effect he contributes to your ERA and ratio. He primarily throws a mid 90's fastball with good running movement and mixes in an occasional change and slider.
Values ~ 2000: $14 2001: $5 2002: -$3 2003: $8
When I last saw Herges, his fastball, which tops out at 94 appeared to have less movement and he relied less on his breaking pitch than when I saw him previously when his hit and HR ratios had been better. Since he rebounded last year with vastly better ratios, I assume he made some adjustments. Alou went on record designating Herges as the guy he would go to if Nen can't go so that's going to bump his price.
Values ~ 2000: -$7 2001: $1 2002: -$2 2003: $6
Brower throws a 4-seam fastball in the low 90s, a sinking fastball and a curve with good movement. His stuff looks pretty good but his location can be insistent. He works both sides of the plate and has usually been effective when I've seen him. However, he never delivered much value before last season when he again worked primarily out of the pen with a few spot starts thrown in. End-of-the-draft consideration.
Values ~ 2000: -$2 2001: $3 2002: -$3 2003: $1
Veteran reliever evolved into a situational lefty last year with some success. RH hitters light him up pretty well, however, so he has limited utility and virtually no fantasy value.
Values ~ 2000: $2 2001: $5 2002: $0 2003: -$1
Christiansen missed the first half of last year due to injury and had Tommy John surgery and had some elbow pain, attributed to scar tissue, afterwards. Christiansen throws a fastball in the mid 90's and a wicked slider but has increasingly been used as a situational lefty, so there's little chance he will compile much value. SF is rumored to be interested in moving his contract.
Values ~ 2000: $1 2001: NA 2002: NA 2003: $3
Estrella has primarily pitched in relief the past three years in the minors and has put up unimpressive ratios. The ratios with Milwaukee weren't better but he gathered three saves and therefore ended the year with a small value. No interest.
Values ~ 2000: $7 2001: $1 2002: -$2 2003: $1
Walker missed most of 2001 and 2002 with Tommy John surgery and suffered a major setback last spring that caused him to spend the first half of the season on the DL and the second half working against AAA batters. He's a lefty that throws in the low 90's and has both a fastball and a curve. He was effective before surgery at shutting down RH batters. Wait and see.
Values ~ 2000: NA 2001: NA 2002: NA 2003: NA
Last year's first round draft choice unexpectedly made the staff this spring. His pedigree includes having been the closer for last year's NCAA College World Series champion. He throws a mid 90's fastball and slider and in limited action at A ball after signing last year, turned in a 1.53 K/IP rate. He may only be getting his feet wet until Schmidt and Nen return from the DL, but owners in carry-over leagues will want to take note.
