Justin Verlander (P), DET - Alert: HI
March 24, 2006
News: After a pair of scoreless innings in last night's 8-7 win over the Phillies, it appears that Verlander has all but locked up the fifth spot in Detroit's rotation.
Views: Someone in the message forum posted that he was officially named the fifth starter, but I can't find any confirmation. Both the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News have articles about how it looks like both Verlander and fellow uber-prospect Joel Zumaya are expected to make the rotation, but there's not a single piece of insider info I've found where Jim Leyland has said that he's definitely naming Verlander his number five. I expect it will be officially announced in the next day or two, and it's the result that we all figured on happening anyway.
Verlander could succeed right away, but it's unlikely to expect great fantasy numbers from him [i]this[/i] year. Think of a slightly better version of Jeremy Bonderman and adjust according to how Bonderman broke onto the scene three years ago. A 4.50 ERA with a 1.40 WHIP and 150 strikeouts would be less than surprising, meaning he's a solid back-end guy in AL Leagues for single-season purposes. He's certainly a guy to look at for a bigger role on your team in keeper leagues.
Fantasy Baseball 
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Welcome to Detroit, Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland announced Friday morning that both of the fireballing rookie right-handers have made the Opening Day club: Verlander as the fifth starter and Zumaya as an important reliever.
Source:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060324/SPORTS19/60324005/1013/RSS07