Today's Fantasy Rx

We conclude our first formal LPR rankings of the season today, our primary method to identify highly skilled and/or consistently effective pitchers, by reviewing NL pitchers. Please refer to the end of the article for a complete description of the codes. We've included the five most recent 2005 QA scores for each starter, along with the 10 most recent QA scores for each reliever, tabulating all data through May 4th. Pitchers with no QA scores have not pitched this year, so don't roster any of them unless you see someone ready to return to the majors.

1
2ABCYZ - Roy Oswalt(35442)
2ABXY - Jake Peavy(45545)
2ABX - A.J. Burnett(44453)
3ABCXZ - Pedro Martinez(45554)
ABCXYZ - Roger Clemens(55434)
ABY - Aaron Heilman(25054)
AX - Dontrelle Willis(45554)
AX - Brett Myers(54444)
A - John Thomson(42244)

Most of these names rated here last year, but the shocking early dominance of Willis and Myers suddenly vaults these youngsters to burgeoning ace status. While John Thomson lacks similar upside, he also looks rock solid right now. Perhaps Aaron Heilman ranks as the true shock here considering he barely qualifies as a member of the Mets' rotation. However, his all-around solid skills and strong minor league statistical history suggest he should remain a useful member of the New York pitching staff indefinitely, making him a productive pick-up to any fantasy team.

2
3B - Brad Penny(35)
3bcyz - John Smoltz(43421)
AB - Jeff Weaver(05024)
BY - Ben Sheets(3342)
Bz - Glendon Rusch
C - Livan Hernandez(31234)

Take advantage of relatively slow starts by this sextet to grab any of them you see available at a nice discount. Penny and Weaver in particular could approach $20 this year, so add them now before the Dodgers' success buoys their two most intriguing starters.

3abcxyz - Billy Wagner(4545254244)
3bcyz - Eric Gagne
abcxyz - Jason Isringhausen(3334452543)
abcxyz - Julian Tavarez(5431545345)
abxy - Mike Gonzalez(5540535442)
by - Ryan Madson(352233454)
by - Salomon Torres(3324301133)

Tavarez and Gonzalez both still own strong skills and could emerge as unquestioned closers at any time. Waiting more than another couple weeks might allow their respective trade costs to skyrocket.

3
ACXYZ - Mark Mulder(43434)
ACXZ - Esteban Loaiza(34344)
CXYZ - Tim Hudson(55333)
CZ - Mark Prior(4441)

While consistent success last summer eluded this quartet, all four impressed in April, suggesting only injuries will prevent each of these pitchers from cruising into double-digit value this year.

abcxyz - LaTroy Hawkins(2334431544)
abcxy - Guillermo Mota(3335234444)
cxyz - Mike Koplove(2343454232)
cxz - Byung-Hyun Kim(3333523034)
cyz - Javier Lopez(334534024)
cz - Rheal Cormier(322323555)
cz - Joe Borowski
c - Tim Spooneybarger

Borowski and Spooneybarger remain sleeper closer options once they return from the DL, but only Hawkins merits serious consideration in most leagues, especially if a Cubs' fan grabbed him this spring and now will move Hawkins as a discount following his continued ninth inning struggles.

A
BCXY - Andy Pettitte(32534)
BYZ - Carlos Zambrano(44404)
CXZ - Brandon Webb(44434)
CXZ - Josh Beckett(54440)
BX - Chris Carpenter(04443)
XY - Jason Marquis(54343)
B - Doug Davis(40305)
X - John Patterson(44433)
X - Derek Lowe(04344)
X - Brandon Backe(43444)
X - Mark Redman(44413)
X - Aaron Harang(24433)
Z - Kip Wells(14434)
Adam Eaton(41244)

Consider any of these pitchers excellent targets in any league, although Zambrano, Wells, Davis, and Eaton obviously rank as larger risks then the alternatives listed here. Taking a run at Backe could pay very nice dividends given his overall skills, and both Harang and Patterson also qualify as strong sleepers.

B
CZ - Jason Schmidt(33412)
XY - Greg Maddux(32443)
C - Odalis Perez(53243)
Y - Oliver Perez(02040)
Y - Joe Kennedy(20323)
Matt Morris(544)
Dave Williams(2434)
Cory Lidle(32324)
Kerry Wood(32240)

Anyone competing for this season should consider moving Oliver Perez since I don't expect a significant rebound in the near future; he possesses far more value as trade bait to teams giving up on 2005. The excellent immediate upside offered by Morris and Williams make those two pitchers superb trade targets in almost any league.

ac - Dennys Reyes(2442320345)

C
X - Javier Vazquez(33344)

Zby - Darren Dreifort
az - Adam Bernero(4513554422)
xy - Jeff Fassero(3354343402)
b - Jim Brower(4530453332)

Either Fassero or Brower should emerge as the Giants' closer, and if Fassero simply repeats his actions of a few years ago, going to his manager and volunteering to finish games, he could rack a dozen saves before the Giants acquire a superior option or convert a young starter.

X
by - Ryan Dempster(34334)
Al Leiter(43403)
Brad Halsey(52343)
Kirk Rueter(30344)
Shawn Estes(34233)
Victor Santos(43303)

Dempster's skills seem far ahead of his performance, so although the veteran southpaws here merit almost no consideration anywhere, Dempster, Halsey, and even Santos certainly could contribute to most teams relatively soon.

Y
John Van Benschoten

Z
Randy Wolf(22022)
Tony Armas

a
bcxyz - Tim Worrell(3354542533)
bcxy - Chris Reitsma(5523344444)
bcxy - Brad Lidge(4455330443)
bcyz - Danny Kolb(1245243534)
bcy - Jim Mecir(4552425025)
bxy - Trevor Hoffman(2344354555)
bxy - Akinori Otsuka(3453344445)
bxy - Chad Qualls(4345544423)
bxy - Tommy Phelps(4404153543)
cxy - Kevin Gryboski(5434303544)
cxz - Derrick Turnbow(3544445244)

Aside from Tommy Phelps, every pitched listed here either currently closes or merits a shot at registering saves in case of injury. Reitsma and Otsuka top the short list of established set-up men perfectly prepared to succeed in a grander albeit less significant role.

cx - Roberto Hernandez(5431352443)
bx - Jose Mesa(4355444435)
bx - John Grabow(4435454514)
by - Al Reyes(5445044033)
by - Mike DeJean(2324345452)
xy - Rudy Seanez(5244443453)
xy - Chris Hammond(5434443342)

Consider adding any of these relievers if you want to improve your qualitative foundation at minimal cost, although considering the inconsistency of DeJean, we rank him well behind superior options like Reyes and Seanez in all league.

c - Mike Remlinger(4550240425)
x - Kelly Wunsch(3435404554)
x - Ryan Wagner(3555435325)
x - Steve Schmoll(4434245334)
x - Manny Aybar(3434535424)
x - Russ Springer(3524544234)
x - Jason Christiansen(4333434344)
x - Mike Wuertz(2034453414)
x - Chad Cordero(2533342345)
y - Chad Fox(2443452340)
Randy Flores(2445503452)
Brandon Lyon(4452234223)

Lyon's increasing struggle shouldn't result in him losing his job any time soon, but adding Jose Valverde as a backup isn't a bad idea. You also should take a run at Wagner in any NL keeper league since he appears primed to replace Graves no later than next spring.

b
cxyz - Luis Ayala(1445532233)
cyz - Braden Looper(5442543333)
cyz - Scott Williamson
cy - Ray King(4333405330)
cy - Mike Lincoln
cy - Armando Benitez(43240442)
cz - Jose Valverde(53)
xy - Yhency Brazoban(3343555335)
yz - Antonio Alfonseca(434352)
y - Danny Graves(2323333414)
z - Brian Fuentes(4552240333)
y - Heath Bell(44344143)
y - Scott Linebrink(2432533341)
y - Brian Bruney(2342215433)
y - Chin-hui Tsao(4132422)
y - Jose Acevedo(322243)
z - Brian Meadows(2133424433)
z - Oscar Villarreal(22)
Randy Choate(43332404)
T.J. Tucker(443344)
Mike Adams(54232224)
Jon Leicester(42343)
Wilson Alvarez(3)

Most of these middle relievers don't merit more than the briefest looks, but Brazoban, Bell, Linebrink, and Adams all own respectable skills and should post positive value for you if given the necessary opportunity.

c
y - Joey Eischen(5245512430)
z - Matt Herges(5433122440)
z - Jay Witasick(53)
Bobby Seay(255)
Cal Eldred(35)

x
z - John Franco(4304330443)
Todd Jones(4334353324)
Giovanni Carrara(2343432454)
Matt Wise(3255335533)
David Weathers(5135334333)
Dan Wheeler(4330433343)
Ryan Speier(3333205333)

I see no reason Jones won't succeed as Florida's closer until Mota returns, and Wise also remains a respectable option, but despite their performance this spring, the other pitchers here likely won't provide a good return on any investment you make in them.

y
Tim Redding(22005)
Elmer Dessens(40)

Duaner Sanchez(4425423443)
Gary Majewski(3344423)
Joe Horgan(32243433)
Antonio Osuna(1401)
Greg Aquino(2)

z
Terry Adams(3224434231)
John Foster(4353)

Don't let a fluke save convince you that Foster possesses any chance of emerging as a viable alternative to Kolb.

1 - K/9 of 6.0+, BB/9 of 3.0-, H/9 of 9.0-, HR/9 of 1.0-,
     and G-F of 1.0+ in 25+ IP in 2005.
2 - K/9 of 6.0+, BB/9 of 3.0-, H/9 of 9.0-, HR/9 of 1.0-,
     and G-F of 1.0+ in 25+ IP in 2004.
3 - K/9 of 6.0+, BB/9 of 3.0-, H/9 of 9.0-, HR/9 of 1.0-,
     and G-F of 1.0+ in 25+ IP in 2003.

QA score for starts: up to 5 total points, one for each statistical goal, to any starter who pitches at least 5 innings and fulfills any of the following skill qualifications: K>=IP-2, BB<=IP/3, H<=IP, HR<=1, and G-F>=1.00. Any starter who doesn't reach any of the required statistical goals or fails to pitch 5 innings earns a 0 QA score. Scores of 5 and 4 qualify as DOMinant outings, a 3 is DULl, and anything below 3 ranks as a skill DISaster.

QA score for relief outings: up to 5 total points, one for each statistical goal, to any reliever who retires at least one batter and fulfills any of the following skill qualifications: K>=IP, BB=0, H<=IP, HR=0, and G-F>=1.00. Any reliever who doesn't reach any of the required statistical goals or fails to retire a batter earns a 0 QA score. Scores of 5 and 4 qualify as DOMinant outings, a 3 is DULl, and anything below 3 ranks as a skill DISaster.

Note: Starters must pitch in five games before earning any of the following DOM or DIS ratings; relievers must appear in no less than 10 games before earning DOM/DIS consideration. All pitchers are evaluated as relievers aside from those who reached both 5 starts in a given season and qualified for DOM or DIS ratings.

A - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2005 starts
B - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2004 starts
C - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2003 starts

X - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2005 starts
Y - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2004 starts
Z - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2003 starts

a - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2005 relief outings
b - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2004 relief outings
c - QA score of 4 or 5 in at least 50% of 2003 relief outings

x - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2005 relief outings
y - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2004 relief outings
z - QA score below 3 in no more than 20% of 2003 relief outings

Today's Fantasy Rx: Consider a visit to your local comic book shop this afternoon for Free Comic Day. For those of you unfamiliar with the relatively recent promotion, most comic shops received a stash of books from a variety of publishers to distribute to interested readers today at absolutely no cost. The all-ages event hopefully especially will encourage former comic readers interested in reacquainting themselves with their old hobby.