Ricky Nolasco, 26 year old Florida Marlins Ace, had two very different halves last season. He has lost his "sleeper" status within most leagues but if he could possibly maintain his 2nd half figures, he could be a top fantasy pitcher in 2009. Let's look at his tale of 2 seasons:
2008 1st Half:
IP: 95.7
W: 8
ERA: 4.05
WHIP: 1.31
BB/9: 2.7
K/9: 6.3
GB%: 34
FB%: 45
2008 2nd Half:
IP: 116.7 (138.7)
W: 7 (11)
ERA: 3.09 (1.82)
WHIP: .93 (1.01)
BB/9: 1.0 (1.8)
K/9: 9.2 (8.6)
GB%: 43 (50)
FB%: 40 (28)
Nolasco posted an amazing WHIP of .93 in the 2nd half and shaved almost a full percentage point off his ERA. Keeping the ball on the ground is essential to post a top notch ERA, so his 9% increase in GB% along with his 5% decrease in FB% is encouraging for 2009. To put his 2nd half numbers into perspective lets compare them to CC Sabathia's 2nd half numbers who we all know had an amazing run down the stretch with the Brewers. Sabathia posted a 1.82 ERA with a WHIP of 1.01 compared to 3.09 and .93 for Nolasco. CC walked 1.8 and fanned 8.6 per 9. To make it easier I have put Sabathia's 2nd half numbers in ( ) next to Nolasco's. I am not saying that Nolasco is going to put up Sabathia type numbers for a full season, but he has the skills to be elite.
Other News:
Scouting Report for Missouri RHP Kyle Gibson
Free Press Enterprize Article about Rick Porcello
Jerry Crasnick article about the Oakland A's young prospects
NY Post on AROD's replacement Cody Ransom
MLB.com on Lincecum's outing vs. Japan
New Book about Manny
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