WaiverSharks 2009 Preseason
Fantasy Baseball Rankings:
Starting Pitchers #81-#100
Now we are digging into some Deeper Sleepers! We’ve even broke out some serious Washington Nationals love in this installment. A daring thing to do, since up until now the most impressive thing the Washington Nationals have done is the nightly Presidents Race. But, they went out this offseason and appear to have at least bolstered their starting pitching with a more experienced rotation going into 2009.
So grab a seat and read about some long shots who might even impress Mr. Jefferson some day!

Courtesy of Scott Abelmen’s photo stream
81) Scott Olsen, Nationals – We can’t allude to Scott Olsen without mentioning the time WaiverSharks watched the Nats latest “Bad Boy” (They seem to have a lot of those don’t they? Elijah Dukes, Lastings Milledge, Dmitri Young and now Olsen have all had some pretty sketchy pasts) taunt Chicago fans at Wrigley Field. After being harassed during BP for a ball for the first half hour – Olsen appeared to be ready to bury the hatchet with the Cubbies fans who were begging him to toss up a ball to the Bleachers. He faked a light toss of a ball to fans hovering above the ivy – and then purposely cocked back and fired an elusive souvenir baseball clear over the ballparks grandstands right out of the park. Boos erupted from the Cubbies faithful and Olsen swaggered away. It was admittedly kind of funny to witness – but let’s hope the Kalamazoo native grows up a bit this season.
82) Jonathan O Sanchez, Giants – Sanchez reminds us of Oliver Perez in a way. He brings the heat – but after a solid first half in 2008 – he appeared to fall apart.
83) Brian Matusz, Orioles – The Orioles have some very promising young arms in their farm system right now – this guy is one of them.
84) Mark Buerle, White Sox – We’re not real big on Buerle – but you could do worse in the latter rounds.
85) Wandy Rodriguez, Astros – Wandy’s home/away splits are “Ervin Santana like bizarre” – if he can manage to pitch as consistent on the road as at home he’d become a valuable fantasy commodity.
86) Alfredo Aceves, Yankees – Will have to fight hard for a rotation spot on New York ’s Bronx Bombers – but showed promise during the tale end of 2008.
87) John Lannan, Nationals – Another Washington National makes the list! Lannan can be wicked at times – but we need to see another season to commit any higher.
88) Michael Bowden, Red Sox – Another solid prospect – who unfortunately plays on a team deeply entrenched with proven arms – still, an injury or two strikes and we may very well see Bowden step it up in 2009.

89) Greg Smith, Rockies – Smith should continue to develop in 2009 – but a move from Oakland to Coors Field won’t make things any easier.
90) Jonathon Niese, Mets – Will in all likelihood fight for the final rotation spot on the Mets during Spring Training.
91) Paul Malholm, Pirates – Malholm get little to no fanfare pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates – a shame really, because this southpaw knows how to deliver.
92) Wade LeBlanc, Padres – Petco is one of the best pitchers parks in all of baseball – if Jake Peavy gets dealt – LeBlanc will have a chance to make the rotation next spring.
93) Rich Hill, Cubs – Rich Hill’s fantasy owners were the only guys netting any sympathy last season from Justin Verlander’s owners. Neither are guarantees in 2009 – but in Hill’s case especially, there’s no where to go but up!
94) Jarrod Parker, Diamondbacks – Parker is a TOP prospect in the Arizona D-backs system. He is smallish in stature – ala Roy Oswalt or more recently Tim Lincecum – but more and more diminutive starting pitchers are thriving in the MLB – some even have become staff aces, while others even took home the Cy Young in 2008. So, don’t count out the exclude the little guys from your Fantasy Deep Sleepers!
95) Daniel Cabrera, Nationals – We did mention at the top of this final frontier of SP’s that we would elude to some rascally “Nats” – here’s the latest. He has single-handedly destroyed one’s fantasy WHIP in the past – but he is 27 year old fireballer, who could thrive in the National League’s capital - Washington D.C.
96) Phillippe Aumont, Mariners
Oh Canada!
Our home and native land,
True patriot love
In all thy sons command…
Just in case WaiverSharks patriotism ever comes under scrutiny,
here are some flags to wave during the anthem:

She has us reminding ourselves that Bumbles Bounce!
The big Phillippe (6’7”) hails from Gatineau , Quebec . Mon crayon est grand! That’s about the extent of our French language skills right there. Seattle will not likely feel pressured to start the young French Canadian this season – so consider “Aumont the Giant” to be a long shot for 2009.
97) Eric Hurley, Rangers – We’ve made it quite clear that Arlington Park scares us – but Hurley is one of a handful of promising young arms in the Rangers system…
98) Scott Elbert, Dodgers – Los Angeles Dodgers have a sweet core of young pitchers on the rise. Elbert may have to first settle into a relievers role in 2009, but could get a shot as a 5th starter as early as mid season.
99) Derek Holland, Rangers - … Holland is another.
100) Jeremy Jeffress, Brewers – Provided “Cheech” Jeffress can steer clear of the electric lettuce he could have a solid career as a Major League starting pitcher.







We don’t get too caught up in last year’s statistics. If we did – we would have over paid for players such as 
WaiverSharks is still lobbying for an Andy Sonnanstine VS Biljana “Biba” Golic Ping Pong battle of the sexes. (The sport has sometimes referred to the sexy small ball player as the Anna Kournikova of ping pong.)
We want to once again remind everyone – we’ve excluded the consensus TOP 25 MLB ranked Starters. Maintaining the fact that if you are not aware that the likes of a 










