In an era when teased hair, rolled jeans and orange-striped cummerbunds on baseball uniforms were considered en vogue, the Houston Astros of the late-70s and 80s were fashion, and strikeout, icons. J.R. Richard, Nolan Ryan and Mike Scott were the Bermuda Triangle of filth. Challenge them at the dish, and bats seemingly disappeared. From 1979-1987, each workhorse recorded a single-season whiff total ? Richard 313 in '79, Ryan 270 in '87 and Scott 306 in '86 ? that could never be replicated in a 21st-century game where coddling is commonplace. Compared to the riflemen of yesteryear, Tim Lincecum, who struck out a NL-leading 231 batters over 212.1 innings last year, is spooned strained peas by his manager and pitching coach.
Wimps.
Though the accomplishments of Houston's past K kings are likely unrepeatable, current 'Stro Bud Norris is on pace to achieve something his flame-throwing forefathers never could: finish with a K/9 above 10.0.
To the fantasy masses, a pitcher with significant strikeout potential is the voluptuous blond shaking her derriere on the dance floor, an attention-grabbing force stronger than the moon's gravitational pull. When viewed, eyes widen, blood rushes and salivary glands work overtime. Typically, getting, as Morrissey would say, hands on mammary glands becomes the utmost priority.
However, in Norris' case, no owner is running to the wire with open mitts. A hideous 1.39 WHIP and four homers allowed has disfigured an otherwise seductive resume.
Still, owners need to get sucked in.
During the Astros winter caravan this past offseason, skipper Brad Mills said Norris was at a point in his career where he needed to step up. So far, the No. 4 starter has done exactly that.
Ignoring his few shortcomings, the righty has made significant improvements in several key areas. Purposely decreasing velocity on his fastball and slider has allowed him to become more controlled, enticing hitters to swing more often and with less success outside the zone. As a result, he's missed more bats, coaxed weaker contact and, most importantly, covered the plate with increased consistency, cutting his 4.51 BB/9 from a season ago nearly in half (2.89). If not for the menacing case of gophertitis (1.29 HR/9) and mediocre run support (4.17 RS/9), owners would be diving head-first into the free agent pool to acquire the 12-percent owned hurler's services.
Ultimately, Norris could be this year's Brandon Morrow. In other words, an underappreciated SP4 in 12-team and deeper mixers. Once he remedies his long-ball illness, quality starts with 6-8 Ks could become routine. His unfortunate .333 BABIP and 2.98 xFIP suggests continued ERA trimming is on the horizon, an adjustment that might already be underway. Tuesday night in Lance Berkman's return to Houston, Norris stole much of the fantasy spotlight in a no-decision. He surrendered zero earned over six innings, striking out at least six for the fifth consecutive game. Since April 14, he's surrendered just three earned over 18 innings (1.50 ERA), a performance which has convinced some local beat-writers the once tabbed future closer might be the best pitcher in H-Town.
Thoughts of the 26-year-old flirting with 200 Ks might be a pipe dream, but based on his visible advancements and glowing underlying profile, he's well on his way to a breakout season.
Don't pass on this Bud.
Fearless Forecast (rest of season): 155 IP, 10 W, 3.76 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 156 K
DISCOUNT DEN
Employable commodities available in 20-percent or less of Yahoo! leagues
Darwin Barney, ChC, 2B/SS (18-percent owned) ? Entering spring training most believed the Cubs would install a Blake Dewitt-Jeff Baker platoon at second base. But Darwin not only survived exhibition play, he became the position's fittest. Next to Starlin Castro, the rookie has become the Cubs' steadiest producer. Since April 10, he's registered 10 multi-hit games, tallying a blistering .338 BA with 12 RBIs and 10 runs, good for the fifth-best output among eligible middle infielders. Naturally, the Chicago media is already dubbing him a ROY frontrunner. Based on his minor league track-record and scout takes, the 25-year-old won't move the meter in the power department, but his consistent contact and quick stroke arrows to dependable returns in BA and runs. With Castro hitting in front or behind him, Barney should continue to see favorable pitches. Provided he continues to apply bat-to-ball, he could be what Omar Infante or Placido Polanco were last year: a highly employable MI in 12-team and deeper leagues. Expect him to finish in range of .290-4-65-80-10.
Wilson Ramos, Was, C (five-percent) ? Discovering a reliable catcher on waivers even in fairly shallow leagues is akin to finding someone who actually bought (or admittedly did so) Vanilla Ice's second album. But Ramos appears to be the exception. The former Twin, who came over in the Matt Capps deal last July, has started to establish breathing room between him and Spanish-American War veteran Ivan Rodriguez. In 45 at-bats, he's made steady contact, notching a .378 BA, including a two-homer outburst against the Mets on April 26. Because of his susceptibility to strikeouts (26.7 K%) and relative good fortune (.484 BABIP), his average is destined to tumble to a more realistic level. However, he should best the majority of backstops in the category. Thriving under Rodriguez's tutelage, he's also played smooth defense, which should keep him in the lineup almost daily. Moved up to fifth in the order on Tuesday, the 23-year-old could be a surprising multi-cat source at a normally barren position.
Bartolo Colon, NYY, SP (10-percent) ? Everyone's favorite corpulent clown has actually contributed more than just comedic relief. In his first start in pinstripes, the former Cy Young winner showed flashes of his once dominating form holding the Jays to two runs over 6.2 innings, striking out seven. If he can locate his two-seamer with consistency, additional quality starts are likely. Seriously. Yankees players and staff truly believe the 37-year-old has regained at least a portion of his All-Star mojo. No definitive verdict has been reached, but Colon is worth at least a speculative add in deeper mixers. Because of the fruitful run support he'll likely receive, he has a shot to become a useful back-of-the-rotation starter in 12-team and deeper mixers. Another stellar effort Wednesday against former employer Chicago, and Colon may shed his "stream-only" designation in shallow formats too. If you like 'em round and big, tickle the double-chin.
Want to bean Brad in the head? Bing the heat on Twitter @YahooNoise. Also, listen to him every Tuesday with Chris Liss and Jeff Erickson on Rotowire's Fantasy Sports Today. This week's topic: Mike Stanton (Listen here).
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Image courtesy of US Presswire
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