Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
It's a statistic in fantasy baseball -- in real baseball, too -- that is often overlooked -- the strikeout.
The typical 5x5 league stats for pitching are wins, saves, ERA, WHIP and Ks, but you don't really ever see people chasing strikeouts while drafting. It's a stat that is important, however, and tells you a thing or two about the type of pitcher you have on your roster.
The ability to strike someone out typically shows you've got a power arm guy on your team. Obviously it helps your team in that category and it usually justifies -- not all the time -- that you have a premier ace. Those ace-type arms are a hot commodity, too. Everyone in your league should want to acquire an ace or two or three, and it's there that you can trade away pitching for hitting if need be.
Although it's still early in the season, take a look at some of the top strikeout guys and you'll see most of them are big-name guys.
Johan Santana, Roy Halladay, Jake Peavy, Rich Harden, Zack Greinke, Tim Lincecum ... they were probably can't-miss guys (well, Greinke was a sleeper) before the season and they're guys that can carry your staff. Well, you always have to pray Harden doesn't get an arm injury. Just imagine if he could stay healthy ... his stuff is filthy.
The amazing chase for Ks continues with lesser-known or appreciated pitchers which include: Javier Vazquez, Erik Bedard and Clayton Kershaw.
I think anyone would want those guys on you team right now, too.
It's hard not to fall in love with the power arms. You know what you're going to get from them, -- high strikeout totals and typically all-around solid stats in all important categories (wins, ERA, WHIP) ... unfortunately they can't help you in saves.
Every time a batter grabs some pine, it's helping your team out in several ways.
I'm going to endorse Kyle Davies (Kansas City) this week. Who is this guy? Who cares if he's going to produce stats like this (3 starts, 1 wins, 21 Ks, 2.89 ERA, 1.12 WHIP). He may not come with the big label name, but he's producing like an ace, and the kicker -- he's only owned in 33 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Also, through Wednesday, Seattle lefty Jarrod Washburn deserves to be owned, too. Take a flyer on these guys, I know he's available since he's only owned in 38 percent of leagues. Washburn was 3-0 with 17 Ks, 1.71 ERA and 0.80 WHIP. Those stats cry out, "Buy Me, Please!." He's that average pitcher that doesn't get any respect because he doesn't have the high strikeouts totals. But even those guys that get by on painting corners to get people out need some love.
We know chicks dig the long ball. But word on the street is they also dig strikeouts!
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