Don't Forget About John Smoltz

As you are making your picks and trying to decide between Pitchers like Jonathan Sánchez, who posted a 9-12, 5.01 ERA, 1.45 WHIP last year, or Manny Parra and the 10-8, 4.39 ERA, 1.54 WHIP he posted last year, don’t forget about John Smoltz.

Maybe you’re hoping for a return to form for Fausto Carmona, who was great in 2007 (19-8, 3.06 ERA, 1.21 WHIP), but dreadful in 2006 (1-10, 5.42 ERA, 1.59 WHIP) and last year (8-7, 5.44 ERA, 1.62 WHIP).  Don’t forget about John Smoltz.
 
Smoltz has an Average Draft Position of 273 according to Mock Draft Central.  That would make him the ninth pick in the 23rd round of 12-team leagues. 

Sure, he’s going to miss the first couple of months, but he’s likely going to be a big shot in the arm come June.  He’s 210-147 lifetime with a 3.26 ERA and 1.17 WHIP and 3011 Ks. 

He knows how to rehab and return from injuries.  He hasn’t posted an ERA above 3.50 since 1994 or a WHIP above 1.20 since ‘95. 

The Red Sox have enough starters in place that they can afford to be cautious with him. When they deem him ready to go, he should be able to deliver immediately. If you can get 100 Innings from Smoltz, he should be a nice midseason boost to your ERA and WHIP. 

With Boston’s offense he shouldn’t be a victim of low run support.  He tends to pitch better in big games, and playing in the AL East with the Rays and the Yankees, he should see plenty of them. The fact that you can get him so late and stash him on your DL makes him very attractive.

Just make sure you get him before you competition starts thinking along those same lines.

This article was originally featured on LestersLegends.com.