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Jeremy Hellickson, 21 (RHP), Vero Beach Devil Rays (Tampa Bay Rays, A) |
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Written by Jason Revelia, RotoExperts.com Staff Writer
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Tuesday, 27 May 2008 |
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Diamond in the Rough
5/27/08
SP Jeremy Hellickson, 21 (RHP), Vero Beach Devil Rays (Tampa Bay Rays, A)
Selected in the fourth round of the 2005 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays,. Hellickson has been a little overshadowed in the pitching-rich Rays system by Jake McGee and David Price. That’s why you read this column. Jeremy will be a Top 30 prospect on most lists by the end of this season. We (fantasy owners) need to take notice of the fact that to have really good success in fantasy baseball it is a must to find good young effective strikeout pitchers. For instance, look at Johnny Cueto and Edison Volquez this year. If you were able to get them on your squad, then you are looking pretty good. While young pitchers will struggle at times, but you can usually count on a strikeout pitcher throwing strikes, even if his peripherals are going through a bit of PMS.
Jeremy fits in this category with a 64/4 K/BB ratio over 56.2 IP so far this year. He has a couple of issues to work through, such as the 6 HR he’s allowed, but that could be an anomaly as he allowed only 7 all last season over 111.1 IP.
If he shakes his early fly ball issues we wouldn’t be surprised to see him as a Top 10 prospect next year. His bigger problem is the aforementioned Rays organization, which has probably the best batch of young arms in the minor leagues. In addition to long term rotation locks Kazmir, Shields and Garza, Sonnastine and Jackson have pitched well enough to silence any chatter about bringing up fresh arms from the farm, at least for the moment. But with Price, McGee, Chris Mason, Mitch Talbot, Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann and Wade Townsend waiting in the wings there’s a long line to the MLB buffet table.
The good news is Hellickson is only 21 so there is plenty of time to bring him along. If your league has minor league slots, Hellickson is one of those kids you should strongly consider adding to your development squad.
2007 A (20)
13 W 3 L 2.67 ERA 21 G 21 GS 0 SV 111.1 INN 87 H 36 R 33 ER 7 HR 34 BB 106 SO 1.03 GO/AO .214 BAA
2008 A+ (21)
5 W 0 L 2.22 ERA 10 G 10 GS 0 SV 56.2 INN 55 H 16 R 14 ER 6 HR 4 BB 64 SO 1.08 GO/AO .251 BAA
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 19 June 2008 )
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