Ricky Nolasco: Quick 2010 Fantasy Baseball Projection

Jimmy Hascup already gave his thoughts on Ricky Nolasco (click here to read the full article), so let’s take a quick look at my projections for him in 2010:

205.0 IP, 15 W, 3.91 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 195 K (8.56 K/9), 54 BB (2.37 BB/9)

Thoughts:

• His struggles last season were due to some of the worst luck possible.  He posted a strand rate of 61.0 percent, the worst mark of any pitcher with at least 170 innings in a season since Derek Lowe’s 58.5 percent back in 2004 (Randy Johnson was close at 61.8 percent in 2006).  That tells you just how unlucky he was, and a rebound should certainly be in order, meaning a significantly better ERA.
• The above line is based on a BABIP of .318.  His career mark is at .311, so that’s right in line.
• I’m expecting a regression in his control, considering his career minor league BB/9 of 2.6.  Obviously, he has improved in that regard, but I don’t see him matching the 1.8 BB/9 he posted over 212.1 innings in 2008.
• I also do not believe in the 9.5 K/9 he posted last season.  He was at just 8.8 for his minor league career and 7.9 in 2008.  It’s hard to expect him to continue striking out over a batter per inning in 2010, though he could be close.

What are your thoughts on him?  Will he outperform my projections?  What are you expecting from him?

Make sure to place your order for the Rotoprofessor 2010 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide, selling for just $5, by clicking here .

Make sure to check out some more of our 2010 projections, including:

• Andrus, Elvis
• Baker, Scott
• Beckham, Gordon
• Butler, Billy
• Cabrera, Everth
• Cain, Matt
• Correia, Kevin
• Escobar, Alcides
• Harang, Aaron
• Kershaw, Clayton
• Kouzmanoff, Kevin
• Lee, Derrek
• Peralta, Jhonny
• Reimold, Nolan
• Upton, B.J.
• Votto, Joey
• Werth, Jayson
• Wieters, Matt

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