Today's Fantasy Rx

Anaheim: Francisco Rodriguez, RH Reliever
3-1 and 12 Saves on a 111:27 K:BB in 76.1 IP over 63 G
with 49 H, 2 HR, a 1.19 G-F, and a 1.89 ERA.

After a solid rookie season that disappointed anyone who forgot KRod didn't turn 22 until January, he emerged as the best young reliever in the game ahead of Anaheim's schedule this summer. He increased his strikeout rate from 9.9 to 13.1 K/9 while cutting his homer rate from 1.3 to .2 HR/9 despite only bumping his ground-fly rate from 1.09 to 1.19. However, I certainly don't expect any significant skill drop as KRod moves to an easier role, replacing Troy Percival as Anaheim's closer in 2005. Only injuries can keep him from registering consistent $30 seasons for the rest of the decade, so at least attempt to acquire him in all your keeper leagues.

We'll continue tomorrow with National League overachieving pitchers.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Consider keeping a middle reliever or two next year in standard leagues if you own anyone near the minimum who approached or exceeded double-digit value this year. AL non-closing relievers who should remain good sources of profit next year include Tom Gordon, Juan Rincon, Scot Shields, J.C. Romero, Justin Duchscherer, Travis Harper, and Rafael Betancourt.