Javier Vazquez - Fantasy News & Updates
Javier Vazquez - Fantasy News & Updates
Position:
Status:
Previous 15 - Next 15
Follow MLB.com Fantasy on Twitter
Fantasy News
Fantasy Analysis
It was believed that Vazquez would benefit from his return to the NL, but it's unlikely many owners expected him to be quite this good in his first season with the Braves. With his combination of control and strikeout stuff, and a good pitchers' park to work in, the 33-year-old should again be a quality starter in 2010, though he may be hard-pressed to match this year's stellar all-around numbers.
Another phenomenal showing by Vazquez, as he hurled his second complete game in three starts, dropping his ERA to 2.83. With seven Ks, Vazquez also upped his season total to 229, 12 shy of his career high. Keep riding the Braves ace.
That marks two scoreless outings in his last three starts to help drive down his ERA from 3.18 to 2.91. Vazquez has never finished a season with an ERA below 3.20, much less 3.00. The ultra-low figure, in addition to his oustanding 9.8 K/9 rate, makes him one of fantasy's best starting pitchers. He's a sure-fire start on Sept. 25 against the Nationals in Washington.
In the 16 innings he completed during his two starts against the Astros and Cardinals last week, Vazquez allowed two earned runs, registered 17 strikeouts and issued just four walks. With his 17 strikeouts last week, the hard-throwing rghty secured the fifth 200-strikeout season of his career. The only other active pitchers to record five 200-strikeout seasons are Randy Johnson (13), Pedro Martinez (9), John Smoltz (5) and Johan Santana (5).
Simply a dominant showing from Vazquez, who knifed through a dangerous St. Louis lineup on just 94 pitches without issuing a walk. He pounded the strike zone, throwing first-pitch strikes to 24 of the 33 batters he faced, which helps explain the unusually low pitch count. It’s been an impressive campaign for the hard-throwing righty, who’s fanned 216 batters against just 40 walks while compiling an excellent 3.01 ERA. He’ll take his next turn in the rotation on Sept. 19 vs. the Phillies.
A stellar showing from Vazquez, who has been running on hot and cold lately, as he’s alternated between allowing five and zero earned runs over his last four starts. His strikeouts have remained a constant, though, as he’s fanned at least six in each of his last nine outings. With an excellent 3.06 ERA and nasty 9.94 K/9 mark, the steady veteran is worth throwing every time out. Owners can count on him piling up the Ks again when he takes the hill next on Sept. 13 vs. the Cardinals.
Vazquez scattered two earned runs on six hits through his first five frames before getting taken out in the sixth after recording one out and allowing a hit and two walks. From there, Kris Medlen added to Vazquez' earned run total by yielding a bases-clearing double, making it the second time in three starts that Vazquez was responsible for five earned runs. The skid has heightened his ERA from 2.99 after his Aug. 16 start to 3.18 following Wednesday's appearance. Still, his strikeout ability makes him a must-start on Sept. 8 when he takes on the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Vazquez did his best to lower his ERA to sub-3.00 range. His 3.02 mark is outstanding, as is his 9.80 K/9 rate that ranks among the best for starters. His strikeout rate could climb into double-digit territory in his next outing, which is Sept. 1 against a K-prone Marlins lineup at Land Shark Stadium.
Vazquez fared well against everyone except Ryan Howard, who accounted for all four runs -- on two homers -- and one of his free passes. That he induced eight groundouts and continued to fan batters at an elite rate are two signs that he's a must-start every time his number is called. He'll go again Aug. 21 against a strikeout-prone Marlins squad in Atlanta.
Vazquez is quietly enjoying the finest season of his career. He's unbeaten over his last seven starts, notching five wins and a 2.59 ERA in that span. All told, his 2.90 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, .225 average against and 9.9 K/9 rate would be career bests if the season ended today. Vazquez will go for win No. 11 when he takes the mound for a home start vs. the Phillies on Aug. 16.
More of the same from Vazquez, who went at least seven innings for the fifth consecutive start and surrendered fewer than three earned runs for the ninth time in his last 12 outings. When you consider his stellar 2.99 ERA and filthy 164/30 K/BB ratio, the veteran journeyman has again been one of the most underrated hurlers in the game. Owners can expect another dominating effort when he gets the nod again on Aug. 9 in Chavez Ravine vs. the Dodgers.
Another vintage night on the mound for Vazquez, who controlled the strike zone with authority (74 of his 110 pitches were in the zone) and for the second straight game showed no ill-effects of the abdominal strain that caused him to miss his last start of the first half. He's next slated to hurl July 30 against the free-swinging Marlins.
Quite the return for Vazquez, who missed his final start before the All-Star break with a strained lower abdominal muscle. The injury had plagued Vazquez for the final few weeks of the first half, but it didn't stop him from pitching brilliantly. A lack of run support has kept Vazquez's record tethered to the .500 mark for much of the season, but with outfielder Nate McClouth on board for a full half, the right-hander figures to work with a few more leads going forward. He'll look for his eighth win on July 24, when he faces the Brewers.
A pregame bullpen session on Thursday provided Vazquez all the reassurance he needed. Vazquez has proven himself to be one of the game's most durable pitchers through the years, racking up 200-plus innings in eight of the past nine seasons.
The Braves will have to remain in postseason contention and find a trade option that requires them to free up anywhere from $4-6 million of their payroll in order for them to pull the trigger on a trade that would involve parting with Vazquez. While the Phillies and Mets are looking for starting pitching, the Braves would look to move the right-hander to another non-NL East contender that is looking to upgrade its rotation.
Previous 15 - Next 15
