Fantasy Baseball: Ten Young Potential Aces in 2010

It's easy to pick up a Johan Santana or Roy Halladay in the First or Second round of a fantasy draft.

But what if you don't like to take a starter early? What if you like the young bargains at the end of the draft?

Well here are a few guys that may catch your eye. Now, these are mostly guys that are unproven, but all should stick around late.

Brad Bergesen, Baltimore Orioles

W—L: 7—5

3.43 ERA

123 IP

K/BB 65 /32

1.28 WHIP

Brad Bergesen is not very overpowering, but he can get it done.

He has pretty good control, but if you are going to draft this guy it will be like drafting John Lannan—you're drafting for ERA, innings, and any other stats except for wins, because the Orioles' hitting will be up and down.

Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

W-L: 8-6

2.73 ERA

131 IP

K/ BB: 133/72

1.22 WHIP

Clayton Kershaw is one of the most talented lefties in the game today. If you ask scouts, Kershaw has the talent of Tim Lincecum but just doesn't have that control.

He pitches in Dodger Stadium, so he really isn't HR prone, but that control has to get better—he averages 4.9 BB/9.

But if he is going to get out of jams (which he obviously does considering that ERA) you should pick him up if you don't like taking starters early.

Ricky Romero, Toronto Blue Jays

W—L: 10—5

3.70 ERA

121 IP

K/BB: 95/47

1.35 WHIP

The talented lefty in Toronto should be someone to look at.

He has good stuff, but he doesn't have the best control. There are things about him you should like: he is a lefty and he doesn't surrender more hits than innings pitched.

I personally wouldn't draft him because he pitches in the AL East, but if you need pitching pick him up late.

Rick Porcello, Detroit Tigers

W—L: 10—7

4.27 ERA

117.2 IP

K/BB: 65/39

1.39 WHIP

Young Tigers starter Rick Porcello is another viable option.

He has had his bumps through the season but he has the best upside on this list right next to Kershaw.

He throws pretty hard but he doesn't seem to strikeout a lot of guys (about five per game), yet he has good control and doesn't put unnecessary runners on base.

He is only 20 years old so he just needs some consistency in his game.

Brett Anderson, Oakland Athletics

W—L: 7—8

4.55 ERA

126 IP

K/BB: 103/38

1.33 WHIP

Oakland's power lefty has a ton of potential and could be reliable on your staff.

I am in love with the stuff he has, but his problem is that he just flat out gets hit.

He has surrendered 131 hits in 126 IP, but he is a power lefty with 103 K's in that same span and he has good command with only 38 BB.

You don't give up on lefties, especially power lefties. Brett will probably be around late and could have a great 2010.

Tommy Hanson, Atlanta Braves

W—L: 8—2

3.02 ERA

79 IP

K/BB: 62/29

1.28 WHIP

The next great Braves pitcher is on this list—Hanson has been everything the Braves could have asked for.

He has an explosive fastball and a nasty curve. He has great stuff but his control worries me a bit—if he pitched 200 innings with this kind of control he would be on pace for 70—plus BB.

He could also be a little HR prone with eight HR surrendered in 79 IP.

But there is no doubt that he will be great in the majors.

Sean West, Florida Marlins

W—L: 4—4

4.57 ERA

65 IP

K/BB: 36/30

1.46 ERA

West is a big lefty and reminds me a lot of a left handed Brad Bergesen.

In his first seven starts he had an ERA of 3.38, but then he hit a rough road and it blew up to 4.57.

Tommy Hunter, Texas Rangers

W—L: 6—2

2.64 ERA

61.1 IP

K/BB: 40/20

1.14 WHIP

Hunter is very underrated since he pitches in Arlington, but he has been nothing short of spectacular this year.

This 22—year—old has "okay" stuff but has pretty good control.

I understand that people don't want to draft pitchers that pitch in Arlington, but if you're going to pitch low in the zone and throw strikes I am taking him.

Randy Wells, Chicago Cubs

W—L: 9-5

3.01 ERA

113.2 ERA

K/BB: 71/21

1.19 WHIP

Randy Wells is not very well—known, but he should be because he has been the ace of the Cubs this year and he wasn't even on their opening day roster.

He doesn't go that deep into games, but he is effective when he is on the mound. The question is whether he can put this same season together again.

Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals

With his contract he will most likely be on the opening day roster next season, but the question is whether he will be the next Mark Prior or Tom Seaver.

With that contract he can't just be good, he has to be GREAT. Or else it's just another mistake by the Nationals.

So will he be the greatest draft pick ever? Or the most over—hyped pick ever?