For the next few weeks, I’m going to try and bang out as many articles like this as I can. Basically, I’m just going to pick out a player I like and talk about their potential contributions to the 2009 season. As an avid fantasy baseball manager, most of these guys were players I developed a man crush on last year and are players I’m likely to target in drafts this season. That does not necessarily mean that all of my analysis will have to do with fantasy baseball, but it is certain to be at least part of the discussion.
First on my list is Twins starting pitcher Kevin Slowey. The 24 year old righty made his major league debut in 2007 and completed his first full season in the big leagues last year. In 2009, he will again be a part of an outstanding young Twins rotation that also includes Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker (who could be featured here in the future), Nick Blackburn, and Glen Perkins.
Slowey was absolutely disgusting in the minor leagues, sporting a career ERA of 1.94 and career WHIP of 0.85.
He made his minor league debut at the age of 21 back in 2005. Combining his time spent playing rookie and single-A ball that year, he went 3-2 in 17 appearances (9 starts), had a 2.12 ERA, a 0.72 WHIP, and struck out 84 in 72 innings.
As if that wasn’t enough to get some people’s attention, it only got better from there.
In 2006, Slowey began the year at the advanced-A level, striking out 99 in 89 innings to go with a ridiculous 1.01 ERA and 0.69 WHIP. That prompted a promotion to double-A, where he made 9 starts. In 59 innings of work, he struck out 52, posted a 3.20 ERA and put up a 1.07 WHIP.
Slowey was then promoted to triple-A for the 2007 campaign, which would be his final challenge in the minor leagues. He passed the test with flying colors, posting a 10-5 record, 1.89 ERA, and 0.96 WHIP in 20 starts. In just under 134 innings, he struck out 107 opposing hitters.
His dominance of the minor leagues led to his promotion to the majors in June of 2007, where he made 11 starts throughout the season. His 4.73 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in that span was pretty high for what he was used to in the minors, but he managed a 4-1 record and proved he was ready for a full time spot in the rotation in 2008.
Slowey managed just one start early last season before an injury forced him to the disabled list. A month later, he was back in the rotation and was good to go for the rest of the season. He did not disappoint and proved to be one of the league’s young pitchers, often drawing comparisons to former Twins’ ace Brad Radke. He went 12-11 for the Twins, who were in contention for the AL Central division title throughout the season. Slowey put up a 3.99 ERA, impressive 1.15 WHIP, and struck out 123 opposing hitters in just over 160 innings of work.
Slowey enters the 2009 season with a solid hold on a rotation spot for the Twins, who are projected by most to finish with a record right around the .500 mark. His ability to keep opposing hitters off the basepaths has proven to translate into a successful career to this point and, at the age of just 24 years old, there is plenty reason to believe he will continue to improve.
In terms of fantasy baseball, Slowey is an absolute monster in any league that uses the WHIP category. His ERA should improve on the 3.99 he put up last year and, although he won’t put up top notch strikeout numbers, a repeat of his 6.90 K/9 from last season would still be a solid contribution to your team. The Twins, as mentioned, are expected to hang around the .500 mark again this season, but have a ton of young talent and could be a surprise 90-win team. That being said, Slowey could easily be a 15 win pitcher, which would make him an outstanding addition to your fantasy baseball rotation.
Sources: www.mlb.com, www.baseball-reference.com
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