Blue Jays 03/03/03
March 03, 2003
The Toronto Blue Jays have broke camp in impressive fashion, starting off 2-0 this year in Spring play.
Against the Phillies, the Jays received two strong innings of shut-out work from Cory Lidle who is penciled in as a top starter in Toronto, and will likely break camp as the #2, barring a Kenny Rogers signing (Which has to be considered something of a long shot).
An interesting fantasy prospect, Mark Hendrickson, will start the Jays third game of the spring.
Mark, a 6-9 lefty, shone for the Jays last season posting a 2.45 ERA in 36.2 innings. Hendrickson had an excllent ratio as well allowing a combined 37 H and BB in those 36.2 innings of work. What makes this more impressive is that Hendrickson was tatooed for HALF of the earned runs against him in his major league debut. A 3rd on an inning against Seattle where he yielded 3 hits, 2 walks and 5 earned runs.
After that debut, Hendrickson posted a 1.25 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP the rest of the way.
While not the domminant strikeout threat that one might expect from such an imposing figure, 21 K's last season, Hendrickson has the potential for some solid stats.
One can't expect a full season at a 2.45 ERA, but a very impressive first major league start (5 innings of 2 hit shut out ball IN Boston, a tough park on lefties) and a total 1.04 ERA in his four major league starts leads one to believe that Hendrickson is a good bet for a fast start in 2003.
His long term value will be determined by what happens after hitters begin to adjust to what they have seen from the tall lefthander.
Hendrickson is battling with Pete Walker and Justin Miller for the 4-5 spots in the Jays rotation. One has to feel though that the southpaw has the edge by virtue of the lack of other left-handers competing for spots. However, if Hendrickson struggles in the spring and the Jays do add Rogers, Hendrickson might begin the year in the pen, or possibly Triple-A.
If you belong in a league where the draft is deep and player movement relatively easy then Hendrickson is worth a gamble to start the season. The Jays have a good young offense and if Mark can continue to keep major league hitters off balance, at least for his first time through, he's a good bet to pile up some impressive #'s - though don't expect a big increase in the strikeouts.
A caution does have to be that Mark, a former NBA basketball player, is too old to be safely considered a prospect, and he does lack an overpowering heater. His fastball tended to top out in the low 90's. Personally though, I think Hendrickson is a good bet for a solid year as a #4 or #5 starter.
I also feel that Hendrickson's age (28) and time spent in professional sports in the NBA gives him the psychological make-up that tends to dictate a starter's success. Lots of guys have solid stuff, but the mental "game" is often what separates the wheat from the chaff.
As a late round pick, Hendrickson has the potential to add very good value to your fantasy squad this season.
I look forward to talking with you about the Toronto Blue Jays this season, and I hope to hear comments and questions about the team as they try to make the post-season for the first time since being World Series champions.
