Fantasy Baseball 2010 Starting Pitcher Rankings: Pre-Camp Version

Next up on the list of composite positional rankings -- where we have averaged the rankings of our four fantasy baseball staffers -- are the starting pitchers. Unlike every single position we've posted to this date, we didn't have a unanimous No. 1 starting pitcher. Of course, there was still a relative consensus as to the top pitcher.

Three of our four voters pegged two-time reigning NL Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum as the top pitcher in fantasy baseball. Just in case there was any doubt as to the realism of Lincecum's 2008 campaign, he went out and lowered his ERA, hit rate and walk rate in basically the same amount of work. He led the NL in strikeouts for the second straight season as well. And he's only 25.

So why wasn't he the unanimous No. 1? Because I voted for Roy Halladay. Last season, Halladay went 17-10 with a 2.79 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. He's traded in having to face the Red Sox, Yankees and Rays (who he collectively took on 15 times last season) for the likes of the Mets, Marlins, Nationals and Braves in his move from the AL East to the NL East. The Phillies also play considerably better defense than the Blue Jays. I like Halladay to slightly edge out Lincecum, but, again, that left me in the minority. You can't go wrong with either pitcher, that's for sure.

Player	Team
1. Tim Lincecum	Giants
The only question is if he'll be distracted by the offseason pot arrest? Doubtful ... Avg: 1.25; Best: 1; Worst: 2
2009: 15 wins, 2.48 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 261 K
2. Roy Halladay	Phillies
Think the ballpark change hurts Doc? Not likely. Citizens Bank Park and Rogers Centre were nearly a dead heat in home runs allowed last season (ranking 16th and 17th in MLB, respectively). Avg: 1.75; Best: 1; Worst: 2
2009: 17 - 2.79 - 1.13 - 208
3. Felix Hernandez	Mariners
Now that was what we had been waiting for -- and King Felix was still only 23 last season. It's scary to think he could even end up being better than he showed in 2009. Avg: 3.5; Best: 3; Worst: 5
2009: 19 - 2.49 - 1.14 - 217
4. Zack Greinke	Royals
Yes, that was a 205 ERA-plus and Greinke still only won 16 games. It's a shame he's stuck in KC for many reasons, but maybe they'll build around him eventually. Avg: 4.25; Best: 3; Worst: 6
2009: 16 - 2.16 - 1.07 - 242
5. CC Sabathia	Yankees
After a so-so (for him) first half, Sabathia got over his adjustment period and finished hot -- going 9-1 with a 2.52 ERA in August and September. Avg: 4.5; Best: 4; Worst: 5
2009: 19 - 3.37 - 1.15 - 197
t6. Justin Verlander	Tigers
The strikeout machine erased the brutal memories of a 2008 off-year, establishing new career highs in wins, ERA, innings pitched and WHIP. Oh, and he also obliterated his previous career high in strikeouts (by 86). Avg: 6.5; Best: 5; Worst: 8
2009: 19 - 3.45 - 1.18 - 269
t6. Dan Haren	Diamondbacks
If nothing else, you get durability here. Haren has averaged 222 innings pitched over the course of the past five seasons. During that time, he has steadily progressed in terms of strikeouts and limiting baserunners. Avg: 6.5; Best: 6; Worst: 7
2009: 14 - 3.14 - 1.00 - 223
8. Jon Lester	Red Sox
Everything about him screams elite ace. He actually compiled last year's stat-line amidst unlucky BABIP and FIP rates. Plus, he's only 26 and entering his third full season as a starter. Avg: 8; Best: 7; Worst: 9
2009: 15 - 3.41 - 1.23 - 225
9. Adam Wainwright	Cardinals
Was that a career-year in the form of an outlier, or a sign of things to come? He's worth a pick to find out. Avg: 9.75; Best: 8; Worst: 12
2009: 19 - 2.63 - 1.21 - 212
10. Chris Carpenter	Cardinals
More dominant than Lincecum last year, but he made just 28 starts. There will be questions about his health for the rest of his career. Avg: 10.5; Best: 9; Worst: 14
2009: 17 - 2.24 - 1.00 - 144
11. Johan Santana	Mets
He's never going to be the guy he was from 2004-2006 again, but that doesn't mean he's not an ace. Avg: 11; Best: 10; Worst: 13
2009: 13 - 3.13 - 1.21 - 146
12. Josh Beckett	Red Sox
With all the hot young talent around, Beckett seems to be falling through the cracks in many drafts. He's currently going an average of 17th among SPs in mocks. Avg: 12.5; Best: 12; Worst: 13
2009: 17 - 3.86 - 1.19 - 199
13. Cliff Lee	Mariners
We ranked this before news of his foot surgery broke. I'd bump him down a few spots -- but not too many. He's only likely to miss one or two starts, if any. Avg: 12.75; Best: 11; Worst: 14
2009: 14 - 3.22 - 1.24 - 181
14. Josh Johnson	Marlins
Got progressively worse, by month, as the season went. Of course, he took a huge leap in innings after fully recovering from Tommy John surgery. Avg: 13.25; Best: 11; Worst: 17
2009: 15 - 3.23 - 1.16 - 191
t15. Ubaldo Jimenez	Rockies
This 26-year-old rising star is actually better at home (in Colorado!) than on the road. Avg: 16; Best: 15; Worst: 18
2009: 15 - 3.47 - 1.23 - 198
t15. Cole Hamels	Phillies
After a season in which he probably deserved to win 20 games, Hamels took a big step backward. Of course, he was struck with bad luck once again, this time in terms of his allowed hit rate (jumped from .270 to .325) on balls in play and the normally solid Philly defense didn't do him any favors (3.72 FIP). At 26, he's a great bet for a sizable bounce-back. Avg: 16; Best: 15; Worst: 18
2009: 10 - 4.32 - 1.29 - 168
17. Wandy Rodriguez	Astros
Absolutely dominant at home (9-3, 2.08) and against lefties (.502 OPS against). Avg: 17.25; Best: 16; Worst: 19
2009: 14 - 3.02 - 1.24 - 193
18. Jake Peavy	White Sox
Even if Peavy stays healthy there's reason to believe his rate stats will take a hit. His career ERA in Petco Park is almost a full run better than everywhere else. And US Cellular Field is one of the better hitting parks in the majors. Avg: 18.5; Best: 17; Worst: 19
2009: 9 - 3.45 - 1.12 - 110
19. Javier Vazquez	Yankees
In 2008, Vazquez played in the AL and in a hitter's park. In 2009, he played in the NL and in a pitcher's park. In 2010, he's back to the former. Avg: 18.75; Best: 13; Worst: 23
2009: 15 - 2.87 - 1.03 - 238
20. Matt Cain	Giants
Ran out of gas down the stretch (his ERA was a minuscule 2.12 after July), but he's young enough to build upon the so-far career-year. Avg: 19; Best: 17; Worst: 21
2009: 14 - 2.89 - 1.18 - 171
21. Tommy Hanson	Braves
The Braves will likely control his innings again before letting him go in 2011. Still, I'm expecting 200 strikeouts. Avg: 20.5; Best: 20; Worst: 21
2009: 11 - 2.89 - 1.18 - 116
22. Brandon Webb	Diamondbacks
He's top-10 if completely healthy, so it's a matter of how risk you wish to take on. Avg: 22.25; Best: 20; Worst: 25
2009: injured
23. Ricky Nolasco	Marlins
Numbers after the demotion and recall? 11-4 with a 3.82 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 158 K (in 141 1/3 innings). Avg: 23.25; Best: 22; Worst: 25
2009: 13 - 5.06 - 1.25 - 195
24. John Lackey	Red Sox
Will be interesting to see how he deals with switching coasts, but we expect more of the same. Avg: 23.5; Best: 22; Worst: 25
2009: 11 - 3.83 - 1.27 - 139
25. Clayton Kershaw	Dodgers
A little more luck in terms of wins last season would have made Kershaw a superstar. Once he gets his control in order, he'll get there -- because he doesn't get hit hard. Avg: 24; Best: 23; Worst: 25
2009: 8 - 2.79 - 1.23 - 185
26. Yovani Gallardo	Brewers
A full season removed from getting his ACL repaired, Gallardo will look to take another step forward. Avg: 27; Best: 26; Worst: 29
2009: 13 - 3.73 - 1.31 - 204
27. Chad Billingsley	Dodgers
There's little real statistical explanation for the large step back Billingsley took last year. We do know there's enough potential at his age (25) to give him another shot. Avg: 27.25; Best: 26; Worst: 29
2009: 12 - 4.03 - 1.32 - 179
28. Roy Oswalt	Astros
By nearly every measure, last season was the worst of Oswalt's career. He battled back issues through most of the season. He's turning 33 this year and has hinted at an early retirement in the past. Avg: 28.75; Best: 27; Worst: 31
2009: 8 - 4.12 - 1.24 - 138
29. Jered Weaver	Angels
With Lackey out the door, Weaver will need to step up as the staff ace. At 27, he should be ready to handle it. Avg: 29; Best: 27; Worst: 31
2009: 16 - 3.75 - 1.24 - 174
30. Jair Jurrjens	Braves
Jurrjens FIP (fielding independent pitching) says the Braves' defense made Jurrjens last season, as it's more than a run higher than his actual ERA. Avg: 31.25; Best: 28; Worst: 39
2009: 14 - 2.60 - 1.21 - 152
31. Scott Baker	Twins
No healthy pitcher gave fantasy owners more headaches last season. Baker could either be stellar or awful on any given outing. He allowed at least five earned runs seven times while allowing less than two nine times. Avg: 31.75; Best: 27; Worst: 37
2009: 15 - 4.36 - 1.19 - 162
32. James Shields	Rays
2009 was a pretty large regression for Shields. He walked more guys and got hit a good amount harder. Look for a bit of a bounce-back. Avg: 33; Best: 31; Worst: 36
2009: 11 - 4.14 -1.33 - 167
33. Matt Garza	Rays
Big step forward in strikeouts last season, but the ERA and won-loss sagged. Avg: 33.25; Best: 30; Worst: 36
2009: 8 - 3.95 - 1.26 - 189
34. Ted Lilly	Cubs
He'll probably miss about a month, but once he comes back you can enjoy really solid rate stats and probably a similar win total to last season. Avg: 34.5; Best: 29; Worst: 38
2009: 12 - 3.10 - 1.06 - 151
35. Ryan Dempster	Cubs
If you think baseball performance is only about the numbers, Dempster's case is one you may have missed. Through the first four and a half months of the season, Dempster and his wife were dealing with serious health problems in their infant daughter. She came home around mid-August. Then, in Dempster's last nine starts -- from August 23rd on -- he went 5-2 with a 2.27 ERA and a 55:12 K:BB in 63 1/3 innings. Before that, he was 6-7 with a 4.28 ERA and couldn't find consistency. Avg: 35.25; Best: 32; Worst: 37
2009: 11 - 3.64 - 1.31 - 172
36. A.J. Burnett	Yankees
Hopefully the second year will bring more comfort and he'll fix the control woes from last season. He always walks guys, but the 4.2 BB/9 was the highest Burnett's had in a full season since 2001. Avg: 35.75; Best: 33; Worst: 41
2009: 13 - 4.04 - 1.40 - 195
37. Brett Anderson	A's
The 21-year-old rookie showed flashes of brilliance last season. Now there's been a full season of scouting. Expect some inconsistency, yet slight improvement by season's end. Avg: 37.75; Best: 32; Worst: 46
2009: 11 - 4.06 - 1.28 - 150
38. Scott Kazmir	Angels
Can you believe he's still only 26? You know you'll get a high strikeout rate, but how about some health and consistency? Avg: 39; Best: 35; Worst: 50
2009: 10 - 4.89 - 1.42 - 117
39. Gavin Floyd	White Sox
When the strikeout rate rises and the walk rate goes down for a young pitcher like Floyd, it's generally a harbinger of a breakout season. Avg: 39.25; Best: 34; Worst: 43
2009: 11 - 4.06 - 1.23 - 163
40. David Price	Rays
Much less hyped than last year, but there's no reason to give up on the 24-year-old lefty. He had an encouraging finish, going 5-2 with a 3.51 ERA in his last nine starts. Once he gets a feel for all his pitches he's going to be special. Avg: 40.75; Best: 37; Worst: 42
2009: 10 - 4.42 - 1.35 - 102

41. Aaron Harang, Reds
42. Kevin Slowey, Twins
43. Max Scherzer, Tigers
44. John Danks, White Sox
45. Jeff Niemann, Rays
46. Clay Buchholz, Red Sox
47. Edwin Jackson, Diamondbacks
48. Rich Harden, Rangers
49. Carlos Zambrano, Cubs
50. Francisco Liriano, Twins
51. Jorge De La Rosa, Rockies
52. Mark Buehrle, White Sox
53. Johnny Cueto, Reds
54. Ben Sheets, A's
55. Jonathan Sanchez, Giants
56. Tim Hudson, Braves
57. Joba Chamberlain, Yankees
58. Rick Porcello, Tigers
59. Randy Wolf, Brewers
60. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox
61. Derek Lowe, Braves
62. Hiroki Kuroda, Dodgers
63. Joe Blanton, Phillies
64. Chris Tillman, Orioles
65. Ervin Santana, Angels
66. Jon Garland, Padres
67. Andy Pettitte, Yankees
68. Brian Matusz, Orioles
69. J.A. Happ, Phillies
70. Gil Meche, Royals
71. Randy Wells, Cubs
72. Shaun Marcum, Blue Jays
73. Jason Hammel, Rockies
74. Brett Myers, Astros
75. Joe Saunders, Angels
76. Mat Latos, Padres
77. Wade Davis, Rays
78. Scott Feldman, Rangers
79. Aroldis Chapman, Reds
80. Joel Pineiro, Angels
81. Mark Rzepczynski, Blue Jays
82. Kevin Correia, Padres
83. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals
84. Bronson Arroyo, Reds
85. John Maine, Mets
86. Pedro Martinez, free agent
87. Manny Parra, Brewers
88. Brad Penny, Cardinals
89. Carl Pavano, Twins
90. Trevor Cahill, A's
91. Derek Holland, Rangers
92. Erik Bedard, Mariners
93. Aaron Cook, Rockies
94. Rick VandenHurk, Marlins
95. Justin Duchscherer, A's
96. Homer Bailey, Reds
97. Dallas Braden, A's
98. Ricky Romero, Blue Jays
99. Kevin Millwood, Orioles
100. Mike Pelfrey, Mets