LOOK: China Invented The Weirdest Way Ever To Ward Off Pervs
Michael Hastings Dies In Car Crash At Age 33
New Studs on the Block takes a look at players ready to make the leap from "possibly productive fantasy player" to "must-have fantasy stud." This is not a "you've never heard of this dude, but ... " series -- these should be names you already know.Thursday, in the thin air of Colorado, Wandy Rodriguez spun yet another gem for the Houston Astros -- and, of course, his fantasy owners. After seven innings of work, where he allowed only five hits and two earned runs, Rodriguez's ERA actually increased to 1.90. Of course, he also struck out a career-high 11 batters and ran his record to 4-2 in the process. It's time to officially declare him a must-start in every fantasy league.
Rodriguez has been a late-bloomer, but his progress has never been altered. His ERA and WHIP numbers have progressively improved every single season from 2006 to the present. His strikeout rate has gotten really close to one per inning (8.6 strikeouts per nine innings last season, 48 K in 52 innings this year), which is outstanding for starting pitchers. His stuff has baffled opposing hitters much more than in the past, too. For his career he's always allowed about one hit per inning, but this season he's only coughed up 37 knocks in those 52 innings -- and he has yet to allow a home run.
Look, it's easy to say that a guy with a 4-2 record, 1.90 ERA, nearly a strikeout per inning and a 1.00 WHIP has been a stud thus far. There's no arguing that. The question is, can he keep it up?
I strongly believe he will be a must-start option for the balance of 2009. Obviously he's not maintaining a 1.90 ERA all season. He's not Pedro Martinez circa 2000. He is, however, a strikeout pitcher who hasn't been the beneficiary of a ton of "luck" (his allowed BABIP is .271, which will normalize a bit but not much) and has shown the ability to stymie solid offensive teams (quality starts against the Dodgers, Cubs and Cardinals thus far). The fact that he's left-handed and has always thrown well in the bandbox that is Enron Minute Maid Park bode well for his prospects moving forward as well.
We always knew the 30-year-old had "it" when he was younger, he just lacked consistency. He's now putting it all together on a start-to-start basis. If you had the foresight to grab him late in fantasy drafts, enjoy him. If his current owner thinks this is a fluke and he wishes to sell-low on Mr. Rodriguez, go ahead and grab him.
He's Wandy, and he's the New Stud on the Block.
LIVE: NBA Finals Game 6
House Passes Major Anti-Abortion Bill
Banks Caught In How Many Mortgage Settlement Violations?
House Committee Advances Immigration Bill Over Dem Objections
4 U.S. Soldiers Killed In Attack On Afghanistan Air Base
'I Know Four People Who Have Been Shot'
Google Is Using The First Amendment To Push Back Against The NSA
Official Claims White House Wasn't Involved In IRS Scandal
REPORTS: Patriots TE Questioned By Police In Murder Probe
Young Adults Want Health Insurance, Which Is Good News For Obamacare: Survey
Serena Makes Inflammatory Remarks About Steubenville Victim
Major City Closes In On Plastic Bag Ban
WATCH: 'Daily Show' Skewers Evangelical's Claim That Gays Bully Christians
U.S. To Start Talks With Taliban
Huge Savings Predicted From Immigration Bill
Fineman: Bachmann's 'Got A Point' On Syria
Congressman To Challenge IRS In Court
Same-Sex Couples Face Significant Housing Discrimination, Historic Government Study Says
LOOK: Iran's New President Makes Important Statement In New Tweet
U.S. Companies Lobbying Furiously To Save Tax Loopholes
Hadiya Pendleton's Parents Discuss Addressing Chicago Gun Violence
BREAKING: Tornado Touches Down Near Denver Airport
Study: The Minimum Wage Is Worth $2 Less Today Than It Was In 1968
Dem Rep: 'However Inarticulate, I Think Miss Utah Was On To Something'
Walmart PAC's Political Spending Revealed
Mika Admits 'Hypocrisy' Over NSA Scandals
PHOTO: Brazilian Officer Pepper-Sprays Female Protester In The Face
The Next City To Legalize Weed?
Cameron: WWII Bomb Found At G8 Summit
Anti-War Bomber Says Obama Should Be Tried For War Crimes
