Empty the Bench

The Fantasy MLB Draft season is in mid-swing. We encourage you to do your best not to jump the gun and draft too early, as there is still a lot to be sorted out. There are multiple position battles still being waged, rotations are yet to be defined, roster spots are up for grabs and the all-important closers have not been determined on at least five teams.

Still, the next two weeks are likely when your draft will take place, so ETB has a few pointers. We’re noticing a couple of pitchers who could be absolute bargains where they’re being taken, so push these guys up your cheat sheets a few notches. The recommendations are for standard scoring, mixed leagues. Later this week we’ll give our picks for sleeper hitters. Best of luck, and always remember: Mercy is for the weak.

They Get No Respect: Bargain Pitchers

Matt Cain

We’re officially on the Cain bandwagon. He’s been a known prospect for a couple years now, and he started putting it together for a few very impressive stretch-run starts last year. We think in 2007 he will be an everyday fantasy player, and should even be a middle of the rotation guy. He allowed opponents to hit just .226 last season, despite the ugly 4.15 ERA. But as you probably noticed, he pitched much better after the break with an ERA of 3.26 and a WHIP of 1.18. Very nice numbers. Expect him to carry something around those for the full season.

Target Him: He’s going off the board in the 150-170 range right now. Grab him anywhere between 120 and 140 if he’s there.

Eric Gagne

It wasn’t that long ago that Gagne was considered the premier relief pitcher in fantasy baseball. The last few seasons have been rough on Eric, with myriad forearm problems limiting him to scant few save opportunities. Tuesday he told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he felt as good as he has in two years, and the Rangers’ closer job is his if he can hold up. If he does, expect a minimum of 30+ saves. That makes him a steal right now, as he isn’t even being drafted in some mixed leagues.

Target Him: In the 150s.

Francisco Cordero

Another reliever who is a high risk/reward type of player. Cordero can be an anchor to your fantasy bullpen when he’s on, so his current draft position of around 160 is just too low. Indications are that he has been sharp so far as he rounds back into form and isn’t experiencing the pain he did last spring. This is a guy who converted 16 saves (in 19 attempts) after the break last season, so 35 saves isn’t out of the question.

Target Him: In the 130s.

Scott Olsen

We like a few of the young pitchers in Florida, Olsen included. Scott put together a very respectable rookie season last year, so it’s a little surprising he isn’t getting more respect on draft day. This is another kid who isn’t even being picked in a lot of leagues, but that shouldn’t be the case in yours. Take a late round flier on the 23-year-old. He put up 8.3 strikeouts per 9 in 180 innings with an ERA that hovered around 4.00. He should improve, so it wouldn’t be surprising to get 200 innings of sub-4.00 ERA and 170 Ks.

Target Him: In the last few rounds of your draft.

Jake Peavy

He was the second or third pitcher off the board last season in many drafts, but Jake certainly won’t go that high this season. He was a big disappointment, especially early in the season and in the ERA department. Health was a factor last season, as well as plain old bad luck. It says here he will rebound and be a top of the rotation fantasy star again in 2007. Obviously, he’s not a guy to take in the first three rounds any longer. But any time after that, he’s fair game. Once he got his shoulder under control last season, his ERA was back under 3.00 and his WHIP was below 1.20. He’s fully healthy, so expect big things.

Target Him: In the fifth round.

Anibal Sanchez

Sanchez made some major waves in a season that saw a plethora of successful rookie hurlers. The No-No was obviously big news, but he didn’t slow down much after that, either. The .217 BAA was extremely impressive, as were his other measurables. The injury concern may always be there, but that’s what bench spots are for. Draft him expecting between 20 and 25 quality starts, and make sure you have some insurance- his stiff shoulder could be a concern early.

Target Him: In the 10th round and after.

Ervin Santana

The other Santana is an interesting prospect to be sure. He’s on a team that should be giving him plenty of run support, and he won’t be asked to carry too much of the load behind Weaver and Lackey. He’s got great stuff, and his numbers have steadily improved the last two years. We expect an ERA that will be around or below 4.00, 150-170 Ks and 12-16 wins.

Target Him: In the 150s and after.

Brad Lidge

Closers who are considered sure things get snapped up right away. That’s just how it works. It’s always a solid strategy to grab a few high-upside guys late that carry a bigger risk. Just don’t bank on any specific one panning out. If you draft three in the 10th round and after, and one or two work out, then you’ve gotten a bargain. Lidge joins the aforementioned Gagne as a guy to target in the mid-to-late rounds as a pick with that strategy. 2007 just can’t be as bad to him as 2006 was, and he’s reportedly healthy and has ironed out his mechanics. Health was never the major concern for Lidge in 2006 though: it was confidence. And confidence is a fickle mistress, especially in the high-pressure closer position. In the two years before last season Brad was an absolute stud, so from what we’ve seen this spring we’re ready to call 2006 an anomoly . . . for now. We’re not going to project 40 saves, but isn’t it worth taking a chance on a guy who it’s even a possibility for?

Target Him: In the 10th round and after.

John Maine

Maine is another guy getting completely overlooked, and he could provide you with some nice punch at the bottom of the rotation. He plays for the Mets, so he’s obviously going to get a chance to rack up some Ws, but the young guys’ other number might be pretty decent, too. He only had a few starts last season, but the .212 BAA was very impressive. The ERA should be right around 4.00, with a WHIP around 1.25.

Target Him: In the last round or two of your draft.