When should you draft a pitcher in the first round? When his name is Tim Lincecum. Otherwise, it's probably best to wait. There are a few pitchers worthy in your second round, and plenty of depth to go around, so if there's more position players that strike your fancy early, go for it and feel comfortable that there are decent options in the middle rounds.
Ranking the top 80 starting pitchers for standard fantasy categories (wins, ERA, strikeouts and WHIP, which is walks plus hits divided by innings pitched):
1. Tim Lincecum, Giants
2009 stats: 15-7, 2.48 ERA, 225.1 IP, 168 H, 261 Ks, 1.05 WHIP
Last three years average: 13-6, 2.89 ERA, 199 IP, 157 H, 225 Ks, 1.15 WHIP
Why you should pick him: The best pitcher in baseball gives you strikeouts and WHIP and a great ERA.
Why you shouldn't: Only 15 wins last year for a Cy Young winner. And the delivery "The Freak" looks like an arm injury waiting to happen, but not for a few years, probably.
2. Roy Halladay, Phillies
2009 stats: 17-10, 2.79 ERA, 239 IP, 229 H, 208 Ks, 1.14 WHIP
Last three years average: 18-9, 3.08 ERA, 237 IP, 229 H, 184 Ks, 1.14 WHIP
Why you should pick him: He's been the best pitcher in the AL for years, and now he's in the NL, where he'll benefit from being somebody the rest of the league hasn't seen much.
Why you shouldn't: There's quite a bit of mileage on that 33-year-old arm.
3. Felix Hernandez, Mariners
2009 stats: 19-5, 2.49 ERA, 238.2 IP, 200 H, 217 Ks, 1.14 WHIP
Last three years average: 14-8, 3.24 ERA, 210 IP, 202 H, 186 Ks, 1.29 WHIP
Why you should pick him: Maybe the preseason favorite for AL Cy Young, and he won't have to even be the ace in Seattle with the arrival of Cliff Lee. Only 23 years old, and plays for an improved team. Plays in a pitcher's park, too.
Why you shouldn't: Hard to see a drawback.
4. Zack Greinke, Royals
2009 stats: 16-8, 2.16 ERA, 229.1 IP, 195 H, 242 Ks, 1.07 WHIP
Last three years average: 12-8, 2.98 ERA, 184 IP, 173 H, 177 Ks, 1.20 WHIP
Why you should pick him: Reigning AL Cy Young winner delivers in all of the key stats. His ERA took a big drop last season, from 3.47 to 2.16. And he's only 26.
Why you shouldn't: He plays for a pretty bad team, which means he'll win a few fewer games than perhaps he should.
5. CC Sabathia, Yankees
2009 stats: 19-8, 3.37 ERA, 230 IP, 197 H, 197 Ks, 1.15 WHIP
Last three years average: 18-8, 3.02 ERA, 241 IP, 219 H, 219 Ks, 1.13 WHIP
Why you should pick him: Huge guy dealt with huge expectations and had a huge first year in New York. Maybe the best guy on the board if all you want is wins.
Why you shouldn't: Lots of innings the past three years, but he's a horse at age 30.
6. Justin Verlander, Tigers
2009 stats: 19-9, 3.45 ERA, 240 IP, 219 H, 269 Ks, 1.18 WHIP
Last three years average: 16-11, 3.95 ERA, 214 IP, 198 H, 205 Ks, 1.26 WHIP
Why you should pick him: Led all pitchers in innings and strikeouts last season and is still just 27. Ace for a team that should contend.
Why you shouldn't: Threw a lot of pitches last season - could he get a little tired? And he had a real off year in 2008.
7. Dan Haren, Diamondbacks
2009 stats: 14-10, 3.14 ERA, 229.1 IP, 192 H, 223 Ks, 1.00 WHIP
Last three years average: 15-9, 3.18 ERA, 222 IP, 203 H, 207 Ks, 1.11 WHIP
Why you should pick him: Consistent force has a fantastic WHIP and good strikeout numbers.
Why you shouldn't: Diamondbacks won't give him a ton of run support, and he had a 4.62 ERA in the second half last season.
8. Johan Santana, Mets
2009 stats: 13-9, 3.13 ERA, 166.2 IP, 156 H, 146 Ks, 1.21 WHIP
Last three years average: 15-10, 2.98 ERA, 206 IP, 182 H, 196 Ks, 1.14 WHIP
Why you should pick him: Perhaps the best pitcher of the 2000s is still just 30 years old and, when healthy, is elite in all categories.
Why you shouldn't: Coming off elbow surgery in September. He's reporting he's fine, but that could change, obviously.
9. Chris Carpenter, Cardinals
2009 stats: 17-4, 2.24 ERA, 192.2 IP, 156 H, 144 Ks, 1.05 WHIP
Last three years average: 11-6, 2.36 ERA, 71 IP, 60 H, 51 Ks, 1.15 WHIP
Why you should pick him: He's a winner, and there aren't many better if you want help in WHIP, ERA and wins.
Why you shouldn't: He's injury-prone and doesn't strike out many.
10. Jon Lester, Red Sox
2009 stats: 15-8, 3.41 ERA, 203.1 IP, 186 H, 225 Ks, 1.23 WHIP
Last three years average: 12-5, 3.48 ERA, 159 IP, 150 H, 142 Ks, 1.28 WHIP
Why you should pick him: Quietly had a very good year after a slow start last season. Will give you strikeouts and wins. Only 26.
Why you shouldn't: Prone to slumps, and pitches in a home park that's death to lefties.
11. Adam Wainwright, Cardinals
2009 stats: 19-8, 2.63 ERA, 233 IP, 216 H, 212 Ks, 1.21 WHIP
Last three years average: 15-8, 3.14 ERA, 189 IP, 183 H, 146 Ks, 1.27 WHIP
Why you should pick him: Plays for a winner and is solid in all categories, coming off a career season. And at 29, he's entering his prime.
Why you shouldn't: Was injured through much of 2008, and he's not great in any category.
12. Josh Johnson, Marlins
2009 stats: 15-5, 3.23 ERA, 209 IP, 184 H, 191 Ks, 1.16 WHIP
Last three years average: 7-3, 3.56 ERA, 104 IP, 100 H, 94 Ks, 1.28 WHIP
Why you should pick him: Underrated starter had his first great season at age 25. Throws hard and throws strikes. And if it counts in your league, he hit three homers last season, too.
Why you shouldn't: He is just three years removed from Tommy John surgery.
13. Cliff Lee, Mariners
2009 stats: 14-13, 3.22 ERA, 231.2 IP, 245 H, 181 Ks, 1.24 WHIP
Last three years average: 14-8, 3.49 ERA, 184 IP, 190 H, 139 Ks, 1.24 WHIP
Why you should pick him: Was great in the postseason and now is back in the AL and in a pitcher's park. In a contract year at age 31.
Why you shouldn't: Not elite in strikeouts, and is prone to slumps.
14. Josh Beckett, Red Sox
2009 stats: 17-6, 3.86 ERA, 212.1 IP, 198 H, 199 Ks, 1.19 WHIP
Last three years average: 16-8, 3.71 ERA, 195 IP, 187 H, 188 Ks, 1.17 WHIP
Why you should pick him: Always good in strikeouts, wins and WHIP, and he's in a contract year.
Why you shouldn't: ERA isn't at the elite level, and he's prone to bad starts.
