BaseballDocs 2008 Player Rankings: AL Only Starting Pitchers (SP)
Last update: 03/26/08
You wanted them, so you got them. We have compiled the top 350 American League players and grouped them into
color tiers
that provide more flexibility when drafting. These color tiers provide a quick, visual means of comparing players at different
positions with similar fantasy value. Comments
have also been added to give you those extra little pieces of information that may help sway your decision between two seemingly, equal players.
Comments:
The comments are provided to give you a little extra insight into the players.
Some are positive and some are negative. Here is the legend for the comments:
NOTE: Increased production can often be seen in players that hit the ages of 27 or 28. Others will see a marked decline in production with age (lets say past 30). Consequently, we have added all the players ages to our rankings.
rook These players are hot rookies to keep an eye on this season.
$ These players are scheduled for new contracts after 2008, so they might be a little more motivated in 2008.
INJ REC These players are former stars that are looking to rebound from injuries.
xINJ CON These players have injury issues that are cause for concern.
2nd(RBI) These players finished the second half of last season as a leader in runs batted in production. They had 45 or more home RBIs in the second half of last season.
2nd(HR) These players finished the second half of last season as a leader in home run production. They had 14 or more home runs in the second half of last season.
2nd(AVE) These players finished the second half of last season as a leader in batting average. They had a .300 average or better the second half of last season with at least 200 second half at bats.
2nd(SB) These players finished the second half of last season as a leader in stolen base production. They had 10 or more stolen bases in the second half of last season.
2nd(SV) These players finished the second half of last season as a leader in saves production. They had 10 or more saves in the second half of last season.
2nd(K) These players finished the second half of last season as a leader in pitching strikeouts production. They had 70 or more strikeouts in the second half of last season.
xIP These players either experienced a drastic increase in their innings pitched last year or they just flat out threw a ton of innings last year. They could be an injury or decreased production risk.
Color Tiers:
The color bands are provided to highlight players that are in the same tier of fantasy value.
This is done to create flexibility in your draft strategy relative to your particular team need.
For example, if all of the first tier players are gone (highlighted with a black background),
none of the second tier are gone (highlighted with a maroon background), and you want a pitcher,
Jake Peavy is your man. You passed over the positional players ranked above Peavy because
they were all in the same tier as Peavy.
