It's about this time of year when MLB teams begin to realize that a rehashed veteran starting pitcher just isn't going to get the job done.  It's time guys like Miguel Bautista and Casey Fossum make way for the next generation both in real baseball, as well as its fantasy counterpart.  The whispers have already begun and fantasy owners are ready to pounce on this year's head of the phenom phrenzy class.  Many fantasy baseballers are hoping Tim Lincecum, Phil Hughes, Homer Bailey, Matt Garza, and Angel Guzman will have a fantasy impact on their team this year but is that really the case?  History tells us that few hyped starting pitchers will immediately perform and those that do perform go through some growing pains along the way- think Matt Cain.  Of course there are always exceptions, some succeed right away (Dwight Gooden, Mark Prior) and others never succeed (Jesse Foppert).  So the GNUru poses the question which of these young phenoms will make an immediately fantasy baseball impact?

Cast you answer in the GNUru Poll to the right or see the results here

Tim Lincecum

Lincecum was the Giants first-round pick in 2006 and breezed through the low minors. Despite starting just 8 games last year, he isn't far from making his major-league debut and he could be the first pitcher called up when someone goes down with an injury or struggles. Licecum is the prospect that seems to have everyone drooling.  Although he seemed to get better command this spring Tim will need to cut down the walk before making a major fantasy impact.

Angel Guzman 

Guzman is a former top prospect in the Cubs organization who got hit early by the injury bug.  In his younger days, Guzman was a much more heralded prospect than Carlos Zambrano and has just as nasty as stuff.  Guzman appears healthy and has regained some of the command he lost post injury.  Angel will be the first to get the call should an injury happen to anyone in the rotation or Wade Miller continues to suck.  Guzman has great K/9 potential for leagues that value strikeouts.  

Homer Bailey

CBS Sportsline calls Homer Bailey "the No. 1 pitching prospect to have in all of baseball and all long-term keeper leagues. He is a future ace in the making."  While Bailey does have oodles of talent the Reds aren't exactly known for their development of pitching talent.  With an always shaky rotation in Cincinnati Homer could get called up sooner rather than later even though they insist he will be handled with kid gloves.    

Matt Garza 

Matt Garza has been on the fantasy baseball radar for sometime now.  Perhaps it is because he has a great arm and cruised through the minor leagues at a rapid pace.  More likely, though, it is because Garza is next in the line of Johan Santana and Francisco Liriano.  The Twins have proven they can develop top flight pitching talent the question is can he remain healthy and when will he get his chance to start in the rotation, not the bullpen.  Patience may be the key with Garza.

Phil Hughes

The 20-year-old right-hander went a combined 12-6 with a 2.16 ERA, .179 batting-average against and 168 strikeouts in 146 innings between high Class A and Double-A, most of the time being spent in the upper level in 2006. The Yankees decided to give him his opportunity Thursday night against the Blue Jays.  Hughes was 2-1 with a 3.94 ERA in three starts this season at Triple-A Scranton, and he pitched six shutout innings last Wednesday at Syracuse, allowing two hits, striking out 10 and walking none.  If he can live up to the hype and post a few quality starts he should stick in the rotation. All Yankee starters make decent fantasy pitchers as they will get plenty of run support. 

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I need fantasy baseball roster help.  I haven't played fantasy baseball in about 3 years, so i'm a little out of whats been goin on as far as fantasy goes.  What are your thoughts on Eric Byrnes? Is Tim Lincecum worth keeping stashed on this team? Also, which of these players available on the wire right now are worth grabbing? Kelly Johnson, Shawn Green, Aaron Hill, JJ Hardy, Mike Lowell, Eric Gagne, Chien-ming Wang (waivers until Thrusday), Ramon Ortiz, Jon Broxton, Braden Looper, and Randy Wolf.
Any thoughts on making this team better or just keep as is?

Also, I've been lookin to move Melvin Mora and Eric Byrnes in packages with other players.  I recently offered this kid Mora/Byrnes for Aramis Ramirez.  He countered with A.J. P/Aramis for my Pudge/Vazquez.  I thought was a good deal on my end though it looks like he then canceled this morning. 

5x5 12 team H2H Yahoo Public w/ about 4 maybe 5 inactive teams already. Don't you just love public leagues? (sarcasm)

C Pudge
1b morneau
2b cano
ss guillen
3b mora
of sizemore
of maggilo
of duncan
Util Hideki
ben byrnes
DL Figgins

SP Johan
SP Peavy
RP Riveria
RP Valverde
P Torres
P Weathers
P Bonderman
Bn Vazquez
Bn Gorzelanny
Bn Clemens
Bn Lincecum

First of all, welcome back to the world of fantasy baseball.  While some of the names have changed, fantasy baseball, is still fantasy baseball.  Although public leagues can be annoyingly inactive at times, it is still a good playground to test strategies and refine your skills.  Despite your lack of confidence you seem to have put together a very competitive team.  Your pitching appears very strong with Santana and Peavy leading the wayand you have a nice core of young hitters in Sizemore and Morneau.  With that, let’s breakdown some of your questions:

Eric Byrnes

Tim Lincecum

Braden Looper

You mentioned Looper is available as a free agent.  If the GNUru were you, he would drop Lincecum and pick up Looper.  I’m actually surprised he is still available with a nice 3-1 record and a 2.08 record.  Snag him before someone else does.  The GNUru would also put in a waiver claim on Wang but the other free agents you listed, should be free agents in a 12 team league (though the GNUru does like JJ Hardy). 

Aramis Ramirez

Do what it takes to get him. A-Ram is a stud third basemen and is going to have a monster year in the much improved Cub lineup.   It sounds like the other owner would consider moving him so keep working with him and find some common ground.  I think both proposed deals were great for you and it doesn’t seem like either of you are far from pulling the trigger.  Perhaps throw in a Lincecum to sweeten the deal and tout his impressive minor league stats, etc.

All in all the GNUru thinks your team is in great shape and you should be very competitive in your league.  Avoid over-tinkering and continue to make minor improvements when necessary.  Good luck and welcome back to the game!

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New York Yankees pitching prospect is expected to make his much anticipated debut Thursday against Toronto. The 20-year-old right-hander, taken in the first round of the 2004 amateur draft, might have a chnace to stick in ork are unlikely to resolve themself anytime soon. Phil Hughes was 2-1 with a 3.94 ERA in three starts this season at Triple-A Scranton.  Most impressive was his last outing in which he pitched six shutout innings, allowing two hits, striking out 10 and walking none.

Phil Hughes is perhaps the most hyped fantasy pitcher to come out since the man, the myth, the legend Jessie Foppert.  While the GNUru is usually hesitant to endorse any rookie starting pitcher, the fact the Hughes plays for the Yankees will likely mean the Hughes will have fantasy value regardless of how effective he is on the mound.  At this point in the game Mr. Hughes value is the greatest in keeper leagues but Hughes also makes a nice option in deeper yearly leagues as well.   As with any young pitcher exercise caution before inserting them in your lineup.  

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