It’s March and the baseball season is just around the corner. It’s essential to grab a high quality starting pitcher, but you don’t want to reach too early. However, you’ll still need one of these guys if you want to dominate your fantasy baseball league.

1.) TIM LINCECUM

15-7, 2.48 ERA, 261K, 1.05 WHIP

Tim exploded onto the scene in 2008 as an under-the-radar pitcher following a 2007 season which did not woo anyone. Tim is the clear #1 this year after ranking 2nd in strikeouts and 3rd in ERA.

2.) ZACK GRIENKE

16-8, 2.16 ERA, 242K, 1.07 WHIP

This 2009 Cy Young winner was simply dominant in the the first two months of the season before encountering some struggles in June. However, Grienke ended the season strong. This 6th round pick in 2002 is no longer a steal as he is on everyone’s radar this season and will likely be picked up as the #2 pitcher.

3.) FELIX HERNANDEZ

19-5, 2.49 ERA, 217K, 1.17 WHIP

Despite being on a weak Seattle team King Hernandez still managed 19 wins. He’s just a workhorse who ranks 3rd in innings pitched. He’ll deliver on wins, ERA, and strikeouts.

4.) ROY HALLADAY

17-10, 2.79 ERA, 208K, 1.13 WHIP

With a new home in Philadelphia, Halladay should be absolutely dominant in the NL.  If he can manage 17 wins and an ERA below 3.0 in a division with the Yankees and Red Sox, imagine what he can do with the Phillies.

5.) DAN HAREN

14-10, 3.14 ERA, 223K, 1.00 WHIP

You could make the case for Johan Santana or C.C. Sabathia, but I love Dan Haren since he’s on my squad in a keepers league.  Although he didn’t deliver on the wins last season, his team is getting better and his strikeouts and WHIP make up for the lack of wins.

6.) JOHAN SANTANA

13-9, 3.13 ERA, 146K, 1.21 WHIP

Obviously Santana would be in the #2 spot if it wasn’t for his injury. Santana had surgery on the elbow of his throwing arm on September 1.  You’ll want to pay attention to his March 9 spring start to see how he is progressing from the surgery.

7.) C.C. SABATHIA

19-8, 3.37 ERA, 197K, 1.15 WHIP

Many who drafted Sabathia last year were hoping for a better ERA, but he delivered tons of wins and should only be better in his 2nd season under the New York City spotlight.

8.) CLIFF LEE

14-13, 3.22 ERA, 181K, 1.24 WHIP

As a Philadelphia Phillies fan, it was an absolute pleasure to watch Cliff Lee pitcher after he was traded to the Phillies.  He delivered amazing numbers with the Phils, but is now with the Mariners after the Phillies traded to acquire Roy Halladay.  Lee, the 2008 AL Cy Young winner, should still perform well enough to warrant being in the top 10.

9.) JUSTIN VERLANDER

19-9, 3.45 ERA, 269K, 1.18 WHIP

Following a horrific 2008 season, Verlander is back and he led the MLB in strikeouts.  Whatever his issues were that led to a 4.84 ERA in 2008 have likely been worked out and you can hope for another monster season from Verlander.

10.) JON LESTER

15-8, 3.41 ERA, 225K, 1.23 WHIP

A great young pitcher who will only continue to improve.  He went from 152 K’s in 2008 to 225 K’s in 2009.

ON THE BUBBLE:

11.) MATT CAIN

14-8, 2.89 ERA, 171K, 1.18 WHIP

People were catching onto Matt Cain last season and he was a steal in last year’s draft.  Now that he’s on everyone’s radar, he’s earned a pick in the top 10 amongst pitchers.

12.) COLE HAMELS

10-11, 4.32 ERA, 168K, 1.29 WHIP

Last year’s numbers aren’t very compelling.  I’m confident Hammels will return to his 2008 form when he had 3.09 ERA with 196K’s and a 14-10 record.

13.) ADAM WAINRIGHT

19-8, 2.63 ERA, 212K, 1.21 WHIP

Extremely impressive numbers in 2009, but you’re left wondering whether Wainright is a one year wonder or not.

12 Team Head-to-Head Draft