Fantasy Baseball Free Agent Pool: 2010 Strikeout Kings, Vol. 1 (Apr. 28)

Brought to you in honor of Strikeout for Troops.

Some reasonably available players to assist you in the Strikeouts category. Realize that some of these will come with high ERAs and WHIPs because if a pitcher has low numbers in those categories and a good K total, he's already spoken for.

Kevin Millwood, Baltimore Orioles

Millwood’s ERA (3.38) and WHIP (1.28) aren’t the problem. Playing on a dreadful team has left him winless (0-3). He has managed 28 Ks in 32 innings though for a decent 7.9 K/9 ratio. Millwood is owned in 10 percent of ESPN and 48 percent of CBS leagues.

Colby Lewis, Texas Rangers

Lewis has been solid all-around thus far. He is 3-0 with a 3.80 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 28 Ks in 23.2 IP. His K/9 ratio is a spectacular 10.6. Colby is owned in 10.2 percent of ESPN and 59 percent of CBS leagues.

Brandon Morrow, Toronto Blue Jays

Now we get into your problem child. Yes, he has 24 Ks in 22 innings (9.8 K/9 ratio), but he comes with a 1-2 record, a 6.14 ERA, and 1.45 WHIP.  You’re probably best served to pick just the juicy starts with Morrow. He is owned in 0.6 percent of ESPN and 44 percent of CBS leagues.

Justin Masterson, Cleveland Indians

Masterson has a cannon, as evidenced by the 24 Ks in 19 innings (11.4 K/9). Unfortunately, a quick look at his peripherals (5.68 ERA, 1.95 WHIP, .325 BAA) is proof he hasn’t harnessed that arm just yet. Playing for the Indians doesn’t help matters.

There are scenarios where you can use him though. Say you’re playing in a weekly league where your ERA and WHIP are out of reach in the wrong direction and the strikeouts category is still up for grabs. You can’t do any more damage to ERA & WHIP, but he can help you secure the Ks win.

Justin is owned in 4.2 percent of ESPN and 47 percent of CBS leagues.

Gio Gonzalez, Oakland A’s

Gonzalez has 19 Ks in 22 innings (7.8 K/9). He sports a 2-1 record with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Gio is owned in 0.9 percent of ESPN and 32 percent of CBS leagues.

Luke Hochevar, Kansas City Royals

Hochevar is vastly improved in the early goings of the 2010 season. He is 2-0 with a 3.55 ERA, a 1.38 WHIP, and 18 Ks in 25.1 innings (6.4 K/9). Luke is owned in 1.1 percent of ESPN and 32 percent of CBS leagues.

Bud Norris, Houston Astros

Norris is another high K guy that will get you in trouble elsewhere. He has 23 Ks in 17.2 innings (11.7 K/p). However, he sports a 5.60 ERA and 1.81 WHIP. Pitching for the ‘Stros, you can basically rule out wins. Norris is owned in 1.3 percent of ESPN and 28 percent of CBS leagues.

Ian Kennedy, Arizona Diamondbacks

Kennedy has 21 Ks in 22.1 innings (8.5 K/9). He is 0-1 with a 4.43 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. Ian is owned in 0.9 percent of ESPN and 43 percent of CBS leagues.

High-Strikeout Middle Relievers

Hisanori Takahashi, New York Mets: 21 Ks, 14.1 IP, 2 Wins, 3.77 ERA, 1.47 WHIP 
Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals: 19 Ks, 15.2 IP, 3 Wins, 0.57 ERA, 0.77 WHIP
Matt Thornton, Chicago White Sox: 16 Ks, 10.1 IP, 2 Wins, 1.74 ERA, 0.68 WHIP
Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres: 14 Ks, 11.1 IP, 2.38 ERA, 0.62 WHIP
Daniel Bard, Boston Red Sox: 14 Ks, 12.2 IP, 2.84 ERA, 0.71 WHIP
Fu-Te Ni, Detroit Tigers: 14 Ks, 10.2 IP, 1.69 ERA, 1.50 WHIP
Joel Zumaya, Detroit Tigers: 14 Ks, 12.2 IP, 2 Wins, 1.42 ERA, 0.95 WHIP
Carlos Villanueva, Milwaukee Brewers: 14 Ks, 11 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.82 WHIP
Sean Marshall, Chicago Cubs: 14 Ks, 10 IP, 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP

Originally published at LestersLegends.com.

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