Five MLB Pitchers Impressing This Spring

Though we are still a few weeks away from Opening Day, most pitchers have made three to four Spring Training starts at this point. It’s still a small sample size (the league leader in IP has just 14.2), but that hasn’t stopped some from being very impressive. With competitions heating up for rotation spots, let’s take a look at five pitchers helping their cause early on:

Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds: 10.0 IP, 0.90 ERA, 10 H, 1 BB, 10 K

He has to be considered a long shot to win a rotation spot, but his early performance should at least put him back on fantasy radars. Long regarded as one of the best pitching prospects in all of baseball, his career 6.76 ERA and 1.81 WHIP has caused many to disregard him.

But with Aaron Harang struggling with injuries last season, a pair of sophomores in the rotation, and Micah Owings (who we will discuss later) likely taking the No. 5 spot, an opportunity could potentially come long, maybe sooner rather than later. With the way he’s throwing right now, that makes him worth monitoring.

I would not draft him, unless you play in the deepest of formats with the biggest of benches. But if he gets his chance and shows he can succeed, I wouldn’t hesitate.

Jeff Niemann, Tampa Bay Rays: 9.0 IP, 1.00 ERA, 5 H, 2 BB, 8 K

In the eyes of many, he never had an opportunity to get a rotation spot in 2009, even with the trade of Edwin Jackson. David Price was going to be there, and despite being out of options, the Rays were going to find a way to handle Niemann.

The way he’s pitched early on, whispers are getting louder and louder that Price is not necessarily ticketed to break camp with the club.

Over the past two seasons in Triple-A, he’s posted the following lines:

• 2007 - 131.0 IP, 3.98 ERA, 12 W, 123 K, 1.45 WHIP
• 2008 - 133.0 IP, 3.59 ERA, 9 W, 128 K, 1.14 WHIP

But he’s got the potential to be a solid starting pitcher, and even if he loses out in the Rays competition, a trade could open up an opportunity for him elsewhere. That certainly makes him worth watching in all formats.

Aaron Heilman, Chicago Cubs: 8.0 IP, 1.13 ERA, 4 H, 2 BB, 12 K

For years, the word has been that Heilman has wanted to start, but the Mets, feeling he was more valuable in the bullpen, refused to give him the opportunity. But after being traded to the Mariners and then the Cubs, he is getting his chance to prove he can take the ball every fifth day. So far, he’s backing up what he has been saying all along.

The competition is going to be fierce for Chicago's final rotation spot, with Sean Marshall (0.68 ERA over 13.1 IP) posting spectacular numbers as well. One also must consider the fact that Rich Harden is set to be in the rotation, meaning that before long, there could be a spot available to both of them.

He struggled with his consistency coming out of the bullpen last season, to the tune of a 5.21 ERA. He also seemed to give up a hit or a home run in tight spots.

But with what he’s shown previously, I have to chalk it up to a bad season.  Relievers have them all the time.

Keep an eye on the situation. If he starts, he’ll be a potential sleeper. If he’s back in the bullpen, he won’t have much value.

Micah Owings, Cincinnati Reds: 14.2 IP, 1.23 ERA, 8 H, 2 BB, 16 K

I spoke about him recently (check it out here), so I'm not going to go into great detail right now. But the fact of the matter is, he just continues to pitch (and pitch well) this spring.

The strikeouts are the most impressive number for me, though it’s not fair to expect that type of performance come the regular season. In his minor league career, he posted just 7.9 K per nine.

He could struggle in Cincinnati's ballpark, as he has struggled with allowing home runs in the majors. Still, he is looking more and more like the pitcher who impressed in his rookie season, as opposed to the guy who got bombed last season.

In my keeper league, I’ve already stashed him away, just in case. Could he be this season's Cliff Lee?

Doubtful, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be useful.

Jordan Zimmermann, Washington Nationals: 8.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 4 H, 2 BB, 10 K

The Nationals always seem to be searching for starting pitching. They currently have two gaping holes at the back of their rotation, and with the way their 2007 second-round pick is pitching, he easily could make the jump from Double-A.

I marked him as one of my sleepers for the Nationals earlier this offseason (click here to view) and certainly think that holds true. He is a rookie, making him a a risky proposition, but could he be 2009’s version of Johnny Cueto? That certainly makes him an intriguing option.

Do you like any of these pitchers?  Do you think any will be able to make a major impact this season?

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