Chances are, keeper league decisions don’t have to be made for at least a few months. But, it never hurts to feed into the obsession and take a look now while information is fresh. Scratch out a preliminary list, then either add to or subtract from it as Spring Training 2009 approaches.

Simultaneously looking backward and forward are keys in keeper leagues, as projecting future results requires elements of both. The players carried over into 2009 build a fantasy team’s foundation, so making proper choices is imperative. The foundation has to be sturdy enough to stand strong through 2010 and beyond, but also has to be competitive right now. It’s a delicate balance. Read more »

A quick look at starting pitchers available in at least 50 percent of ESPN.com leagues. These are the guys who either haven’t deserved or haven’t earned fantasy owners trust, but who could lend a helping hand during the stretch run. Though some of the pitchers on this list have limitless potential, it is important to tread lightly and use them in comfortable spots.

Home starts are always advisable, especially for youngsters who are a little timid when they leave their comfort zones. Keeper leaguers should pay special attention to pitchers like Clayton Kershaw, David Price and Ubaldo Jimenez, who all have top-of-the-rotation type stuff, but need to put it all together at the major league level. Even if they don’t crack your fantasy team’s starting lineup, they can still have carry-over value to next year. Read more »

The arrival of much anticipated rookies Jay Bruce and Clayton Kershaw has shaken up the top 10 rookie rankings. The two phenoms join an already impressive class of rookies that includes: early Cy Young contender Edinson Volquez, Red Sox sparkplug Jacoby Ellsbury, and one of the game’s most productive catchers in Chicago’s Geovany Soto.

Here are the top rookies that have and will continue to make huge fantasy impacts. Read more »

First, it was Dodgers phenom Clayton Kershaw on Sunday. Now, it will be Reds super prospect Jay Bruce making his major league debut on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 21-year old outfielder will presumably take over full-time duties in center field, pushing Corey Patterson and Ryan Freel back into reserve roles.

Bruce was hitting .419 for Triple-A Louisville in the month of May, raising his season average to an International League-leading .364 in 49 games. He had 10 home runs, 24 extra-base hits, 37 RBIs and 8 stolen bases, and he ranked among the league’s top four in slugging percentage (3rd, .630), OPS (4th, 1.023) and total bases (2nd, 116). Read more »

Just like Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels in 2006, Dodgers phenom Clayton Kershaw made a highly anticipated debut on Sunday and still found a way to exceed lofty expectations. He worked six solid innings in a home start against the Cardinals, allowing two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts in six innings. He got a no-decision when L.A. won 4-3 in the 10th on an Andre Ethier RBI single.

Hamels, a lanky left-hander with an advanced approach to pitching, is a solid comparison for Kershaw. Their arsenals are different, but their deliveries are similar and the results, at least through one start, are looking very much the same. Kershaw is armed with a live fastball and a deadly curveball, where Hamels features a quality fastball and a plus-changeup. Read more »

All signs are that the Los Angeles Dodgers will call up phenom Clayton Kershaw from the minor leagues in time for either a Saturday or Tuesday start, according to the Dodgers official site. See to it that you have enough roster flexibility to make the quick, speculative waiver wire addition.

While Kershaw is obviously not a slam dunk - no rookie is - a left-hander wise beyond his years and armed with two dominant pitches projects well. He could make strong contributions in strikeouts, ERA and WHIP immediately. Read more »

Fantasy leagues are typically never won solely on the shoulders of your aces. Strong pitching staffs that can dominate a league are made up of a well rounded, consistently producing set of arms.

Here is a list of ten guys that you should seriously consider adding to your pitching arsenal. Some use to be big names, some aren’t big names and some probably never will be, but numbers clinch fantasy leagues and so far these guys are dealing. These players are available in over 50% of fantasy leagues. Read more »

Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Clayton Kershaw had a rough audition for a major league call-up on Monday, allowing five runs on five hits in 3.1 innings at Double-A Jacksonville. A quality outing, and Dodgers brass wouldn’t have been able to resist calling Kershaw up for a start on Saturday. Instead, he’ll stay in Jacksonville, continue to work on his change-up and await a call sometime by the end of the month.

In fantasy, this may end up being a good thing in the long run. Kershaw was told to throw more change-ups in the start and didn’t have a good feel for the pitch, according to the Dodgers official site. So, rather than promote Kershaw, Torre has indicated that either Hong-Chih Kuo or Chan Ho Park will start Saturday, says MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick. Read more »

When asked by the Los Angeles Times about the possibility of the game’s best pitching prospect, 20-year old left-hander Clayton Kershaw, taking injured Esteban Loaiza’s spot in the Dodgers rotation, manager Joe Torre could neither confirm nor deny. “You’ll have to wait and see,” Torre said about Kershaw’s possible promotion from Double-A Jacksonville.

The L.A. Times story points out that the writing is on the wall in several regards for Kershaw’s arrival. Loaiza’s injury obviously opens a void in the rotation, one that Torre said would not be filled by the other logical choice, starter/reliever Hong-Chih Kuo. Kershaw certainly helped his own cause in his last start (May 2), throwing 6.2 shutout innings against the Tennessee Smokies with general manager Ned Colletti in the stands. Read more »