Madison Bumgarner has huge upside and is an excellent option in NL-only leagues in 2010.
He could easily emerge as a mixed league option as well. He is a must grab in keeper leagues. I strongly believe he will make the rotation out of spring, and while the Giants likely will put him on an innings limit, he should pitch enough to be a fantasy asset. 10-0-120-3.90-1.25 in 150 IP
Positives/Upside:
Bumgarner is widely considered one of the best pitching prospects in baseball. He has the inside track to start the season in the Giants rotation, which is a smart move since he really has nothing left to prove in the minors.
The lefty went 12-2 with a 1.85 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 131 innings pitched between Class A and Double-A last season. He came up for a cup of coffee in September for the Giants and posted a 1.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts in 10 innings pitched. Bumgarner is the real deal, and the Giants look ready to release him on the rest of the league in 2010.
Negatives/Downside:
He is only 20-years old and has only two professional seasons under his belt. His saw his strikeout total drop significantly last season, from 164 in 141.2 innings pitched in 2008 to 102 in 141 innings pitched in 2009. Even if the Giants decide to hand him a rotation spot right out of spring training, they will be cautious with their budding star and likely limit him to 150 IP.
Draft Value: $4
Recommendation: Go the extra dollar
Draft Position: 350
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