Many fantasy owners are targeting Daisuke Matsuzaka in their drafts this year. In fact, you could even say they are "rolling the dice" with Dice-K.
OK, that was an awful pun, but there's some truth to it. Matsuzaka, the Boston Red Sox's high-priced Japanese import, is being treated as a legitimate fantasy ace without ever having thrown a pitch in a meaningful game on American shores.
Fantasy players are often guilty of risking too much on rookies' potential, and last year's astounding class of freshmen pitchers (Justin Verlander, Francisco Liriano, Jered Weaver, Jonathan Papelbon, Matt Cain) only spoiled us. Then again, it isn't often a fully mature, 26-year-old "rookie" just pops up on a loaded contender like the Red Sox. By all accounts, Matsuzaka has dominated batters in his homeland with an impressive laundry list of pitches (the mythical "gyroball" may or may not be included), and he seems to possess the talent to be more Hideki Matsui than Hideki Irabu.
That being said, Fenway Park can be an unforgiving place for many young hurlers (just ask Josh Beckett), and the unrelenting lineups of the American League East will throw Matsuzaka no welcoming parties. When it comes to Dice-K's 2007 projections, there would be no shame in a 3.50-4.00 ERA. Fifteen wins could be within reach with a little luck. And he was a strikeout king in Japan, so does 170 Ks sound right for this season? 180? 200? Hard to say.
If Matsuzaka can approach those numbers - and make no mistake, they're All-Star worthy - he'd be at least a top-20 fantasy pitcher, probably top-15. But we're dealing with a lot of unknowns over the course of a season.
There's a handful of elite staff aces out there to build a fantasy team around (Johan Santana, Chris Carpenter, Roy Oswalt, etc.), and we probably agree Matsuzaka can't be put in their class yet. Next, there's a large pool of second-tier guys (John Smoltz, John Lackey, Jason Schmidt, Dontrelle Willis, Scott Kazmir and so on) who have proven track records and would also make fine fantasy No. 1s. If the scouts are right, and nothing's lost in translation, Matsuzaka belongs in their class. But for now, however, treat Matsuzaka like a No. 2, and don't pay too much for him.
Some other potential impact rookies for 2007:
• OF Delmon Young, Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Bat-tossing incident behind him, this future 30-30 man is best "true" rookie out there and must be drafted as a fourth (or maybe even third) OF in all formats where available.
• 3B Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals: Big lefty-swinging kid dominated college ball and then Double A last year, hitting for average and power and forcing way into K.C.'s starting lineup this year.
• SP Matt Garza, Minnesota Twins: Righty tore through his lone season in the minors (243/53 strikeout-to-walk ratio) but will start year in Triple A after a rough spring training; just a Sidney Ponson meltdown away from cracking Twins' thin rotation.
• 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff, San Diego Padres: Acquired from the Cleveland Indians last fall, fast-rising hitting machine steps into everyday role and will be counted on to supply offense.
• SP Mike Pelfrey, New York Mets: Large (6-foot-7) righty with plus fastball was just announced as Mets' fifth starter, causing spike in his already valuable stock.
• SP Phil Hughes, New York Yankees: Perhaps the majors' best pitching prospect, Yanks have whispered Roger Clemens comparisons but are handling him with velvet gloves; Hughes could get called up later this year and make Jered Weaver-type impact.
• OF Chris B. Young, Arizona Diamondbacks: Not to be confused with the Padres pitcher, speedy CF won't help your average much but has 20-20 potential; could be a cheaper version of Mike Cameron .
Other rookies to watch:
• C Chris Iannetta, Rockies
• SS Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
• SS Brandon Wood, Angels
• 2B Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
• 3B Akinori Iwamura, Devil Rays
• SP Homer Bailey, Reds
• SP Andrew Miller, Tigers
• SP Kei Igawa, Yankees
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