Worthy Of Drafting After Returning From Injury?

For the next week or so we will examine players from every position who are returning after lengthy, if not season ending, injuries. We will examine players from both leagues, their current ADP, possible alternatives, and finally giving a green light to draft them.  Today we examine SP from both leagues.

AL Jake Peavy: ADP (307) the 83^rd SP off the board. The former NL Cy Young winner is recovering from a detached shoulder muscle. Peavy himself states he has been throwing since November and recently threw a 40 pitch session. In his own words he is 70% back to form. As you recall that form was suspect ever since he made the move to the AL. The White Sox team doctor will perform a MRI at the start of spring training to determine what progress has been made and then determine a regiment to get him back in the rotation. At this point in his injury riddled career, not to mention him pitching away from Petco, he will battle for a 4^th or 5^th rotation spot at best and may end up pitching in the bullpen. The problem with Peavy is that no pitcher has ever had an injury like this before, therefore, you really don’t know what sort of recovery time there will be. Personally when I hear Peavy’s name I think “injury report”. Do not look for a return until at least June. Alternatives would be Blanton (310) and Arroyo (317).

NL Jordan Zimmermann: ADP (211) the 63^rd SP off the board. Zimmermann’s situation is a little different. He returned last year from TJ surgery then was shut down to protect him. For the few starts he made he did show some signs of brilliance. In a game against Florida last year he stuck out 9 and allowed one base runner in 6IP. As a rookie in 09, before the injury, he had a 9+K/9 ratio. That is something I always look to draft. The only concern this year is Washington limiting his innings once again. Most projection having him pitching only 130 innings this year so look for 20 starts at best. The W will be at a premium, the WHIP at league average, but the K will be something to drool over. If he can keep the balls in the park look for a near great season. Here is a look at what he accomplished in the minors: 2.81 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 195.2 IP. Those stats have stud, ace, and dominance written all over them.  Zimmermann, that is with the double n, is one SP I am especially targeting in the late teen rounds.