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Brandon Webb missed all but four innings of the 2009 season with a shoulder injury. We was a bona fide fantasy ace before succumbing to that injury. Fantasy owners near and far want to know what to make of him in 2010.

He has started doing some light throwing (click here for the azcentral.com article), and is on pace to be ready for the season opener. Arizona will hold him back a bit in spring training to ensure he doesn’t aggravate that prized right shoulder.

If he passes all the tests with flying colors, he’ll begin moving up draft charts, although even the most optimistic fantasy baseball owners likely won’t rate him as anything more than a mid-level #2 fantasy pitcher.

One concern I have is his history of getting off to a fast start. In March and April Webb is a combined 18-2 with a 2.66 ERA. He’s not terrible going forward with a 3.38 ERA, but his record falls to 69-60.

One would think that Webb would be on a pitch count early in the season, which could jeopardize what has historically been his best month. There is a silver lining though. If he gradually eases into the 2010 season, perhaps he’ll be peaking in September, helping you bring home a fantasy title.

I just caution you not to target him too early. There are probably 25-30 safer SP options (click to see my 2010 top 25 starting pitchers). If he has his stuff though, he could easily be a top 15 starting pitcher.

Prediction:  14-8, 3.50 ERA, 1.28 WHIP,  155 Ks

MLB.com is reporting that Stephen Drew was placed on the 15-Day DL with a strained hamstring.  Drew has already missed five games since injuring his hamstring against the Giants on April 17th.  He went 1 for 8 with a Double an a Walk in three games since the injury.  This was supposed to be a breakout year for Drew, who is hitting just .205 with a HR & 5 RBI.  Last year he hit .291 with 21 HR and 67 RBI.

Augie Ojeda will take over at Shortstop until Drew is ready to return.  He’s hitting .323 with 4 Runs and 2 RBI.  Josh Wilson was called up from Triple-A Reno to take Drew’s roster spot.  Wilson was hitting .260 with 10 RBI in 15 games for Reno. 

Arizona got more bad news when it was reported that Brandon Webb will be out six more weeks.

Images courtesy of Icon SMI

Now let’s take a look at some Pitchers who get off to fast starts.  These are guys who you could look to Sell High if  they continue their trend of early season success.

Brandon Webb – Brandon Webb started the year 6-0 with a 1.98 ERA.  For his career he’s 18-2 with a 2.44 ERA in March and April.  The rest of the year he’s 69-60 with a 3.38 ERA.  That split is staggering.  What I recommend if you have him is to enjoy the early jump he gives your team in April and then look to move him.

Brad Penny - Penny went 4-2 with a 2.89 ERA last March/April.  He was 3-7 with a 8.48 ERA the rest of the way.  For his career, Penny is 21-7 with a 3.28 ERA in March/April.  He’s 73-68 with a 4.23 ERA in the other months.  If he starts off hot, he may be a good candidate to move.

Braden Looper - Braden Looper went 4-1 last year with a 3.86 ERA.  His ERA didn’t fluctuate much the rest of the way as he finished at 4.16.  However, his record saw a big dropoff as he went 8-13 the rest of the way.  Historically April is his best month as he’s 13-8 with a 2.79 ERA in 174 Innings.  He is 45-50 with a 4.18 ERA in the other months.

Micah Owings - Owings was red hot last year going 4-0 with a 3.48 ERA in five April starts.  Things got rocky going foward.  He was 2-9 with a 6.96 ERA the rest of the way.  He’s been pitching well this Spring and if he can win a spot in the rotation over Homer Bailey, he might be a decent early season play.

Carlos Silva - Carlos Silva was 3-0 with a 2.79 ERA.  Hardly numbers you’d expect from a guy who finished the season 4-15 with a 6.46 ERA.  His April start is not a fluke though.  He is 14-5 in his career in April.  He is 45-56 in the rest of the months.  If he somehow lands a spot in the rotation, he may be worth a few spot starts on your fantasy team.  Then dump him like a hot potato.  If you’re able to trade him to somebody, even better.

Mark Hendrickson – Mark was 4-0 with a 2.56 ERA last April.  He finished 3-8 with a 6.12 ERA.  Historically April has been his best ERA month.  In 21 career April starts (25 games) he has an ERA of 3.97.  Aside from September, where he’s 10-4 with a 4.12 ERA, Hendrickson’s ERA doesn’t dip below 5.30 in any other month.  I put him in the same boat as Silva.

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

Friday, August 15th
Randy Wynn went 4 for 4 with 2 Runs, 2 Doubles, a HR, and 2 RBI.  Benjie Molina also had 4 Hits.  Melvin Mora went 3 for 4 with 2 Runs, a Triple, a HR, 4 RBI, and a Walk.  Jack Cust smashed a pair of HRs and drove in 3 Runs.  Chris Snyder had 4 RBI.  Mark DeRosa scored 3 Runs, with a HR, 2 RBI, and 3 Walks.  Jason Kubel (3 RBI), Mark Teixeira, Aubrey Huff, Curtis Granderson, Derek Jeter, Adam LaRoche, Albert Pujols, Ty Wiggington, Jeff Kent (he’s been on fire), Casey Blake, and Tony Clark each had 3 Hits.  Juan Castro and Carlos Pena each scored 3 Runs.  Daryle Ward, Chris Burke, and Jorge Cantu each had 3 RBI.

Matt Garza tossed a Complete Game two-hit Shutout with 9 Ks to improve to 10-7 with a 3.63 ERA.  Freakin’ Cliff Lee threw a Complete Game allowing 2 Runs to run his record to 17-2 with a 2.43 ERA.  Jamie Moyer gave up 3 Hits in 7 scoreless Innings to improve to 11-7 with a 3.64 ERA.  Mike Pelfrey threw 7 scoreless Innings to improve to 11-8 with a 3.91 ERA.  Matt Cain gave up 1 Run in 7 Innings with 5 Ks to improve to 8-9 with a 3.57 ERA.  Brandon Webb gave up 2 Runs on 4 Hits in 8 Innings with 6 Ks to improve to 18-4 with a 2.85 ERA.  Francisco Liriano gave up 2 unearned Runs on 2 Hits in 7 Innings with 5 Ks to even his record at 3-3.   Gil Meche (6 Innings, 1 Run, 8 Ks) and Josh Johnson (6 Innings, 3 Runs, 5 Hits, 8 Ks) got no-decisions.  Jason Davis (7 Innings, 2 Runs), Greg Maddux (7 Innings, 1 Run, 5 Hits), and Jair Jurrjens (7 Innings, 2 Runs, 9 Ks) pitched well, but lost.

Tuesday, August 5th
Jason Kubel went 4 for 5 with 3 Runs, a Double, 2 HRs, and 3 RBI.  Placido Polanco went 3 for 6 with 3 Runs, a Triple, 2 HRs, 4 RBI, and a Walk.  Raul Ibanez went 3 for 5 with 2 Runs, a HR, and 5 RBI.  Fernando Tatis smacked 2 HRs and had 4 RBI.  Darin Erstad went 4 for 4.  Jason Bay, Derrek Lee, Emil Brown, Ryan Raburn, Carlos Quentin, and Carlos Gonzalez also had 4 Hits.  Jeremy Hermida and Chris Davis each had 4 RBI.  Richie Sexson hit a Grand Slam.  Alfonso Soriano went 3 for 5 with 2 Runs, a Double, a HR, and 4 RBI.  Mark DeRosa (3 RBI), Ryan Sweeney, Ryan Braun, Jody Gerut (3 RBI), Marlon Byrd (3 Runs), Luke Scott, Edgar Renteria, Alexei Ramirez, Jeremy Reed, Jose Lopez, Kelly Johnson (3 Runs), and Adam Kennedy each had 3 Hits.  Corey Hart, Nick Swisher, and Dioner Navarro each had 3 RBI.  Ichiro Suzuki scored 3 Runs.

Brandon Webb tossed a Complete Game allowing 1 Run to improve to 16-4 with a 2.93 ERA.  He’s the first to 16 Wins.  Chris Waters threw 8 one-hit scoreless Innings for his first career Win.  He has allowed just 2 Hits in 14 scoreless Innings to start his career.  Josh Johnson tossed 6 scoreless Innings allowing 5 Hits to improve to 2-0 with a 3.34 ERA.  Dave Bush gave up1 Run on 3 Hits in 7 Innings with 7 Ks to improve to 6-9.  Mike Pelfrey gave up 2 Runs in 6-2/3 Innings to improve to 10-7 with a 3.85 ERA.  Josh Beckett gave up 2 Runs on 4 Hits in 6-2/3 Innings with 7 Ks to improve to 10-8.  Matt Harrison gave up 2 Runs in 6-1/3 Innings to improve to 3-2.  Mike Hampton gave up 2 Runs on 4 Hits for his first Win of the year.  Greg Smith (2 Runs on 4 Hits in 6 Innings), John “Hard Day’s Night” Lannan (7 Innings, 2 Runs, 5 Hits, 8 Ks), Jorge de la Rosa (7 Innings, 2 Runs, 6 Ks), and Chris Carpenter (5 scoreless Innings, 3 Hits) all got no-decisions.  Zach Duke gave up 2 Runs on 4 Hits in 7 Innings with 6 Ks, but lost.

Thursday, July 31st
Jim Edmonds scored 3 Runs and hit 2 HRs (one a Grand Slam) and had 5 RBI.  Chone Figgins went 4 for 5 with 3 Runs.  Garrett Anderson also had 4 Hits.  Grady Sizemore had 4 RBI.  Gabe Kapler, Cesar Izturis, Omar Infante, Clint Sammons (3 RBI), Chris Davis, Joe Mauer, Stephen Drew, Pete Orr, Jeremy Hermedia (3 RBI), each had 3 Hits.  Vladimir Guerrero, Juan Rivera, Jimmy Rollins, Adrian Beltre, Justin Morneau, Jason Kubel, Ramon Vazquez,and Torii Hunter each had 3 RBI.

Rich Harden gave up 1 Run in 7 Innings with 9 Ks to improve to 1-1 with a 1.11 ERA with Chicago (6-2, 2.00 overall).  Kyle Kendrick gave up 2 Runs in 6-2/3 Innings to improve to 9-5.  R.A. Dickey gave up 2 Runs, in 7-2/3 Innings to improve to 3-6.  Brandon Webb gave up 1 Run in 8 Innings with 6 Ks to improve to 15-4 with a 3.04 ERA.  Derek Lowe gave up 2 Runs in 6-1/3 Innings, but took the Loss.