Hmmm…Is it  just us, or is there actually a strong resemblance between alopecia areata sufferer Gustavo Chacin and the crapper creature from the 80’s flick Ghoulies?

Not to be confused with the schlocky 1985 Horror flick Ghoulies nor the former Toronto Blue Jays (Now with the Houston Astros) flash in the pan Gustavo Chacin – Jhoulys Chacin could actually turn out to be a good movie this year & yes, even while playing at Coors Field.

For Fantasy baseball purposes the Colorado Rockies pitching this season has consisted of April 2010 Cy Young winner Ubaldo Jimenez, and the now DL landed Conquistador of Coors – Jose De La Rosa. So, unless you want to indulge in some maple syrupy hope that hoser Jeff Francis will finally return to form in 2010 – the Fantasy pitcher slim pickens coming down from the Rocky Mountains is a pretty  grizzly affair.

Knock Knock Ghoulies Jhoulies! Opportunity is calling Jhoulys Chacin, and if YOU are looking for a solid DEEP pitching prospect right now, here is YOUR opportunity to snag a potential Rookie of the Year candidate! (He only pitched 11 innings in 2009 – so the Maracaibo man still retains his ROY eligibility. Please – no cards or letters from St. Louis Cards fans clamoring about Jaime Garcia and David Freese. They have been stellar in the early going of 2010 – but it's still only early May - so the jury remains out on who will take this year's NL ROY!

At only 22 years of age, the hard throwing right hander may lack experience – but Jhoulys #2 staff potential; combined with the rash of recent Rockie’s injuries makes him certainly worth taking a serious look at - particularly in Deep pitching starved leagues!

Despite Chacin's short tenure - we advise you don’t sleep on this obvious 2010 sleeper for too long, or your fantasy manager competition will get you in the end. WaiverSharks advises you pounce on this purple pick-up soon - especially  if he fairs well against the LA Los Angeles Dodgers this week-end.

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Deep: Marc Rzepczynski - Starting Pitcher

Not since Phil Rizzuto was in the majors has a pitcher with two Z’s in his last name had such an impact…

Ok, that isn’t really a statement that sells much interest in the circles of the fantasy world; however, this former member of the Wu-Tang Clan (Oh…wait, that was Rza) made an immeasurable leap in 2009.

RrrrrrrrrrrRRrrrrrrrr!!! Shameless Keyword insert ALERT!!! Shameless Keyword insert Alert!!! Hey Google...crawl this! Jason Heyward Opening Day strarting right fielder Altanta Braves rookie of the year candidate and Fantasy Baseball 2010 Sleeper...even though grandfathers of guys who play Fantasy Baseball know who he is.

Editors Note: Good Karma to Ben Pavlovic over at Rotokeeper: Thanks for the Tweet the other day! That was kind of you to make mention of us!

Hmmm...I'm realizing Marc Rzepczynski needs a nickname after this blog entry – spelling his name is pure hell! Since Rza is already taken perhaps R-Zip would be more original - & greater appropriate?

While some are projecting that the breakthrough experienced in 2009 was a result of a disastrous year of injuries for Blue Jaypitchers, this big lefty shot up the charts of their pitching depth and tossed his name into consideration for a rotation spot in 2010. He was effective and had no fear when toeing the hill in his 11 starts for the major’s only Canadian entry.

While not overly powerful, or tossing dominant goods, what this 24-year old California kid does have is average to above average stuff all around - and the ability to not put his self into danger with overwhelming frequency.

This isn’t to say that R-Zip? is perfect, as he gave up a few too many round trippers for me to say that he isn’t apt to give up a big hit here and there (7 bombs allowed in just over 61 IP) although, we can almost forgive him as 7 of his 11 starts were against the heavy hitting line-ups of Boston, Tampa, Texas and the Yanks.

Prior to Facebook: Bill "Groundhog Day, Ghost Bustin' Ass" Murray, RZA and GZA from Wutang Clan chat the old school way...Face to Face, not Facebook to Facebook. Love this short from director Jim Jarmuschs 2002 black & white, cult classic "Coffee and Cigarettes"

Editor’s Note: Yeah we know – You’ve been bitten more times by newbie SP’s than existing 2010 Yahoo Fantasy Baseball pictures of designated hitter Hideki Matsui! 80 pics of Godzilla? What’s the matter Yahoo? Did the Anaheim Angels aging Asian (Holy alliteration Batman!) threaten to destroy ‘Fantasy Tokyo’ if you didn’t post such a ridiculous amount of photos of this fading star?

Anyways…back to Matusz: Is the Baltimore Oriolesrising young southpaw a Spring Training tease, or the next Cole Hamels?

2010 Sleeper 

Brian Matusz - Starting Pitcher

By Adam Forsyth

A quick, live arm is never a bad thing for a pitching prospect to have, and Matusz is one of the best non-MLB pitchers out there. The O’s have a great stable full of young horses ready to be broken in, and it’s highly likely that Matusz will end up being the ace of the bunch.

The eight starts that this hard throwing lefty representing the San Diego University made at the end of the 2009 season moistened the mouth at times (as in his 7IP, 4H, 1ER, 8K, 1BB performance vs. Cleveland) and disappointed at others (for instance, the 2.2IP, 7H, 5ER, 1K, 1BB outing at Toronto).

Regardless, all young pitchers seem to go through this type of roller coaster, so take it at face value. Matusz has the ability to keep hitters off balance by mixing his speeds and using a power curve while changing his arm slot to hide the ball with the mastery of a 10-year vet. The former first round pick & 4th overall in 2008 uses the entire plate and is not afraid to use any of his pitches in all situations.

The AL East is the pinnacle of difficulty in baseball, so he likely will not get an easy outing, which could affect his numbers. One way or the other, 2010 could be considered the year that Matusz gets to show his stuff and have the entire league take notice in doing so.

2010 Bobblehead Note: A couple of Baltimore Oriolesfarm clubs are offering special Ticket Plans that include a special Bonus Brian Matusz Bobblehead. Check out the Bowie Baysox and the Frederick Keys websites for details!

Editors Note: This week our very own Adam Forsyth will focus ALL his attention on Starting Pitchers whose ADP has WaiverSharks salivating everywhere!

2010 MLB Sleepers:
Max Scherzer – Starting Pitcher

By Adam Forsyth

While we’ve written in length in articles from yesteryear of our love and affection for Mad Max Scherzer – the multi-colored eyed flame-thrower, we just couldn’t resist refreshing your memory on this new AL Central addition to our 2010 MLB Sleepers.

The Tigers boldly made a move to bring a package that included this 25 year old that up until parts of last year had dominated at every stage of game in his career. A shift to the AL sometimes spells doom for pitchers that haven’t dominated their craft; however, I’m here to bring comfort, suggest patience and encourage you to feel that Scherzer does nothing to fit into that group considered “the norm”.

There are a couple of reasons for my confidence level being so peacock like; for instance, his near 3:1 career ratio of K/BB (2.92 in 5 seasons of professional ball) along with his ability to avoid giving up the big hit as up until last years’ anomaly of 20 HR allowed in 170.1 IP, (or an average of 8.5IP/HR allowed) Mad Max had a professional mark of 22IP/HR allowed.

Shifting to a league that features a heavy hitting DH in place of a pitcher, especially in the AL Central that showcases three of the toughest non-fielding examples: Jim Thome in Minny, the Tribes’ hopefully healthy Travis Hafner and to a lesser extent in Chicago Andruw Jones may cause a slight bump in what you would typically project; however, he will find a way to adjust.

My money is on this “heterochromiac” making a seamless transition, continuing his rise of fantasy relevance, as the dependable number two on an interesting Tigers staff.

2010 Deep Sleepers: Wade Davis

By Adam Forsyth

Wade Davis - Starting Pitcher

Impressive in his six start audition at the end of the 2009 season, this home grown talent and former 3rd round pick put the pressure on the struggling Andy Sonnanstine and will surely challenge to make the starting rotation in what should be a great spring training challenge as the Rays number five.

Wade Davis brings a much better overall palate to the mound, offers greater control - and more effective full plate and corner use. While it’s no mystery that Sonnanstine struggled mightily last season (in what many believed would be a breakthrough season) Wade Davis seemed cool and confident on the mound in all but one of his starts.

The Rays seem to have tremendous success in grooming their own talent the last few seasons and should Davis be allowed to make the roster and show the expected growth, the coaches and management in Tampa deserve some accolades as they are in tough in a money-spending AL East where even Don Zimmer is seemingly a small fish in the big pond.

Davis has the stuff to be a K/IP pitcher while maintaining control (career minor league 2.83K/BB) and is a quality start heavyweight who typically toes the hill with his head on straight. Power, poise and a top end curve makes this yet another worthy Rays starter to keep on the tip of your tongue and the front of your mind on draft day.

By Adam Forsyth

Brett Anderson – Starting Pitcher

Oakland is a team that is not scared to take a risk, especially with young, talented pitchers with tremendous upside. Now, by risk, I’m only suggesting that they definitely aren’t afraid to allow a 21-year old left-handed phenom take the hill and make 30 starts in his rookie season.

There is always concern in the follow-up season where a pitcher makes a big jump in IP (as Anderson had never thrown more than 120.1 innings in a season prior to 2009’s 175.1) however, don’t always assume the worst as many pitchers have had success after jumping in use.

We expect this former Arizona Diamondbackprospect to be one of those success stories. His stuff was dynamic more often than not, (with an exclamation point on his complete game 2-hit gem in July at Boston ) and he’s certainly got the goods to be a top of the rotation starter for a long time.

Although, I’m sure in typical Billy Beane, Oakland A’sfashion - he’ll be collecting most of that top of the rotation salary wearing the duds of another major league team!

With the addition and unknown status of Ben Sheets to the A’s rotation, expect Anderson to be heavily relied on to make another solid 30+ starts and pencil him in as a solid low end number three starting pitcher (or maybe even a SOLID number four, depending on the depth of your league) as his control is phenomenal and should allow him to continue his statistical rise.

Fantasy Baseball is back folks!

And so too is WaiverSharks with its 3rd full MLB campaign of

Fantasy Baseball Suggestions, and Bobblehead News!

As Pitchers & Catchers get set to return to the ball diamond (She appears to be signaling for the heater?) So too does our own Fantasy baseball analyst Adam Forsyth with another year of Fantalytics! Breaking down 2010 Fantasy Baseballs tough calls, so you don’t have to!

Okay, now that the opening ceremonies are over - Adam launches WaiverSharks' 2010 Fantasy Baseball today with a classic National League West MLB Show Down that will have you pondering KERSHAW or CAIN all spring!

Meanwhile, later on this week, our main man from Maryland, Scott Soloman will examine why Keeper Leaguers need to take notes on the rising star of the Baltimore Orioles Nolan Reimold.

And, finally - coming soon to a blog near you, the beloved big guy – boss man Scott Woodall admits why his ‘man crush’ for the San Diego Padres behemoth Kyle Blanks will have him touting this 2010 Fantasy Baseball Deeper Sleeper throughout the month of March!

On to Fantalytics – Season Two!

By Adam Forsyth

In this edition of FANTALYTICS we compare a sweet pair of feature arms whose fantasy star power will surely continue to rise in 2010. As mentioned - This West Coast battle features the classic story of lefty vs. righty as both are expected to be key cogs in what are becoming arguably two of baseballs’ best rotations.

With that being said, both teams are expected to be in the mix for the NL West divisional crown, in what should be a highly competitive bracket - with the possibility of even two of the NL West teams making the post-season.

Without further adieu, get your highlighters ready folks as it’s time to break off another exciting season of: FANTALYTICS!

 Click here to read the cases' for Kershaw VS Cain on WaiverSharks' Fantalytics Blog!

By Adam Forsyth

Allright, MEAT…Give him your heat!

There’s TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, TWELVE APOSTLES, THE DIRTY DOZEN, HECK there’s even TWELVE MONKEYS.

We just couldn’t leave off at #11, so here's three MLB young guns who can really crank the numbers up on the radar:

FANTALYTICS – VOLUME 12 / THE FINAL 2009 FANTALYTIC

We understand that the fantasy focus has changed gears to the world of the NFL, as well as (to a much smaller scale) the NHL. It’s unfortunate to admit, but with football in full swing, and the NHL opening up training camps and pre-season play, along with the fact that most playoffs for baseball leagues have entered their final innings, we have to close the curtains on another great season of fantasy baseball. However, with 11 editions of FANTALYTICS in the books, the superstitious side of me took over and I just had to complete the circuit by adding a twelfth and final edition to what has been a sterling season of fun, passion and prediction.

Read the cases for Bumgarner vs Strasburg vs Feliz now!

Enter a very interesting, and in our eyes at least – a much hotter topic than “Bradgelina!” We anticipate plenty of intrigue when pitchers and catchers report next February, for Spring Training 2010 - which should be a most interesting season for first year arms. With several options at enormous impacts being the reality, we take into view three premiere prospects that will soon take the fantasy world by storm. Two right handed power-pitching studs, and a lefty that is about to turn the Giants into an extremely tough team to play against.

On a side note, I hope that you have enjoyed reading FANTALYTICS as much as I have in writing them, and hope that I have provided you with some insight, entertainment and an opinion that may have contributed in making your fantasy season a joy. I truly love them bringing to you and look forward to another exciting seasons’ worth in 2010.

With that being said, it’s time to buckle up folks as the final FANTALYTICS of 2009 is upon us!!!

Read the cases for Bumgarner vs Strasburg vs Feliz now on Fantalytics!

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By Adam Forsyth

The Deep

Derek Holland – Starting Pitcher (SP/RP)

WaiverSharks Editor Scott Woodall’s newest Ranger player "bromance" is with todays DEEP suggestion. Scott feels Arlington's Derek Holland could be a force to reckon with down the fantasy baseball stretch, right into the playoffs, and certainly is warranting serious looks from keeper leaguers for 2010!

Fortunately for the Texas Rangers, they have had the benefit of having players not really viewed as relevant turn into real big leaguers this season, which has them in the mix for the post-season.

After years of struggling with less-than-stellar pitching, the Rangers now find themselves in the top five of many of the team pitching categories.

This former 25th round pick had a great deal of success leading up to his major league debut this season and after having a tough time coming out of the ‘pen, he appears to have solidified a role in the Rangers rotation.

Holland has turned in a pair of solid outings against inner-division rivals (complete game three-hitter vs. Anaheim and an 8.2 IP near complete game gem versus the Mariners two starts prior) and increased his effectiveness allowing the Rangers to rid themselves of the always under-achieving Vincente Padilla, instilling a further vote of confidence in this 22-year old.

While adding him for a spot start, or simply keeping an eye on him to understand his draft position for next year is the intention of throwing his name out there, Holland has some goods for deep leagues to be valuable for the remainder of 2009.

The DYNASTY

Junichi Tazawa –Pitcher (SP/RP)

After completing a successful high-school career, Tazawa went undrafted to the Nippon Professional League and decided to sign with a corporate company team, Nippon Oil.

He dominated over the course of the season and continued his dominance throughout the national corporate championships (10-1, 1.02 ERA, 95K) and decided to attempt a move to the U.S. to continue his career.

Upon his arrival, this 23-year old rolled along to a 9-5 record, with a 2.57 ERA while pitching in AA-Portland and was called up to AAA-Pawtucket and while his record was 0-2, he pitched extremely well (2.38 ERA, 6K/BB ratio while holding hitters to a .184 BA.

He was developing so well, that when the Red Sox decided to end the John Smoltz era, he was promoted to “The Show” and after a relief appearance, made his first start against the Detroit Tigers August 11th.

He was effective in holding the Tigers to only four hits while striking out six and was awarded with his first big league win.

Tazawa may experience success his first time through line-ups; however, he will need to do some work to polish up his delivery and create more deception with his pitches. He typically uses a fastball and curve to stifle hitters, and is working on a slider.

His blend of speeds and breaking balls can be tough to locate for his opposition; however, we have seen success stories of Japanese pitchers turn into a nightmare once professional hitters become accustomed to their pitching style. (Look no further than new Sox teammate Dice-K)

Expect him to challenge for a full-time roster spot, or assume a Justin Masterson type role in 2010, but keep an eye on him for the remainder of this season and enjoy.

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The Deep

Madison Bumgarner – Starting Pitcher

It was originally thought that the 2009 season would be used to prepare this North Carolina phenom with the experience to ready him for a shot at a 2010 roster spot. And perhaps the Giants will stay par with the coarse, despite the Southpaws obvious looming talent.

After just celebrating his 20th birthday, this potential San Francisco Giants future star may need to debut in the bigs slightly ahead of schedule; if only to provide him with some form of challenge. Even a small cup of coffee might give us a glimpse as to how well the youngster's stuff stacks up against some Big League Chew.

After breezing through his first minor league season (15-3, 1.46 ERA, 164K, only 21BB and a 0.93 WHIP) Bumgarner picked up where he left and was quickly sped through to AA-Connecticut where he has continued his dominance. His K’s are down a bit, but his goods are still out of this world.

This tall lefty has the confidence to throw inside without caution or concern and has a mix of speeds in his pitches (commonly depends on his fastball and change-up, but also has a curve that has improved greatly since joining the Giants farm system, as well as a still developing slider) that will make him a truly effective starter for years to come.

Francisco has really done a great job in accumulating a talented group of young arms. With “The Freak” Tim Lincecum, Matt “Heads-Up David Wright” Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, already in the mix (along with vets like Barry “Slowly becoming effective again” Zito, and not to mention Noah “Will he ever pitch again?” Lowry) the Giants appear to have a bright future ahead.

Furthermore, with a 1-2 punch of Lincecum & “the Bum” Cy Young’s hardware could remain in the city by the Bay for many more years to come.

The Shallow

Ervin Santana – Starting Pitcher

Not exactly the type of follow up season to his incredible breakout 2008 season where the enigmatic 26-year old tossed his way to career highs in wins (16), IP (219) and CG’s (2) as well as career lows in ERA (3.49), WHIP (1.12) BB’s (47) and BAA (.237) which would lead us all to believe that he would continue this success and development.

Heading into this season, Santana started the season on the DL with an elbow injury and missed the first month of the season which in the world of pitching usually leans to disaster more than success. You see, pitchers need to find their groove and that is what Spring Training does for them, it allows them to get to their comfort zone. Unfortunately, it has taken the San Cristobal , Dominican native much longer to get to that happy place.

Fortunately, the fantasy world is extremely forgiving and while his ERA is still tough to swallow and even though his velocity is a bit down (reports are that his fastball and slider has lost about four or five MPH with frequency, which has affected his K rates, as well as all peripherals. His last three outings, (one of which was a complete game three-hit gem against a tough Tampa Bay attack) have allowed his W/L record to hit the .500 mark for the first time this season.

He still needs to work on his control, but seems to be missing bats with more frequency of late, which is a good indication that he is regaining some of the confidence and form. At 83% owned in Yahoo! Leagues you may be too late; however, there are still some leagues out there where Santana may be available. There is a nice benefit of grabbing a player when they are peaking heading into the fantasy playoffs, so good luck!