Contreras has returned much sooner than expected after blowing out his Achilles tendon last season. He showed up to camp 30 pounds lighter and participated in every drill from the start. The White Sox didn’t expect Contreras to be ready to go until mid-season so his progress is nothing short of amazing.
 

Contreras made his first start of the Spring last week and looked very impressive. He was hitting 93-94 MPH with his fastball and his cutter was said to have been better than ever. His second outing was a little less gaudy, as he allowed two earned runs in three innings. However, the fact that he is out there throwing hard at this point is a great benefit to the White Sox.
 

He remains an injury-prone pitcher but still has great stuff. It looks like Contreras will be the White Sox number-four starter when the regular season begins. While he shouldn’t be drafted, he could turn into a nice pitch-and-ditch option who can string together five or six good starts in periods throughout the season.
 

Franklin Morales

Manager Clint Hurdle has liked what he has seen from Morales this spring. The young pitcher can throw gas and has been doing just that this Spring. In his last start, Morales allowed two earned runs and six hits but challenged hitters in the zone. Hurdle felt like the umpires were squeezing Morales and liked what he saw from him.
 

The Rockies have an opening in their starting rotation and it is looking like Morales will get that spot. Morales has huge upside and can get the ball in at close to 100 MPH. His problem has been his erratic location.

Keep an eye on him throughout the rest of Spring Training. At this point, the Rockies don’t have any better options for their fifth starter than Morales. If he continues to pitch well, consider him as a late round sleeper pick. If he starts the season undrafted then he may not last long on the waiver wire.
 

Sean Marshall

It’s now official, Marshall is the fifth starter for the Cubs. Marshall has been pitching out of his mind in Spring Training. He has an ERA of 0.63 in 14 1/3 IP this Spring and has blown right by his competition for the rotation spot.
 

Marshall has allowed only nine hits with eight strikeouts in his campaign. He has improved his stats every season since becoming a Major Leaguer. His K/9 has been the biggest improvement as Marshall once seemed to be more of a contact pitcher but has become an all-around solid option.
 

Marshall should be drafted in late rounds and could easily reach the 13-win mark in ‘09. Backed by a very good offense and a great signal caller behind the plate, Marshall should excel in his first full season as a starter. He could end up as one of the steals of this year’s drafts.
 

Micah Owings

Owings is also having himself a fantastic Spring Training thus far. The veteran is turning heads as he is dominating hitters. I’m not quite sure that dominating is the word: 14 2/3 IP, 8 H, 2 BB, 16 K, 1.23 ERA.
 

There is a growing sentiment that this could be the year that Owings breaks out. I’m not quite on the bandwagon but I’m leaning in that direction. He has shown the potential at times but has also had outings where a 4 IP, 6 ER stat line was a common occurrence.
 

Owings looks to be the favorite to win the fifth-starter spot for the Reds. It is really all but official. Cincinnati is not the ideal home for a possible break out pitcher but the change of scenery could be just what he needs. He should be a late round pick in deep mixed leagues. He is also a pitcher that if undrafted, may not last long as a free-agent.
 

Which of these pitchers has the best ‘09 season? Is this the year for an Owings breakout? Is Marshall a 13 game winner this year?
 

Drafts are underway and if you haven’t signed up for the Premium Site or purchased the Draft Guide- what are you waiting for??? Get the edge over your buddies with the help of the 911 Pros.

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written by Matt Vandenbrand, March 25, 2009

I'm taking Sean Marshall as the best of the lot.

His fly ball rate may be a little to high, but his tasty K/9 ratio and K/BB is impressive.

Add in the wins he's likely to get, and Marshall is the most valuable.

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written by Doug, March 22, 2009

Micah Owings will always be a better hitter than pitcher. A few good games in spring training does not a top talent make.

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