Fantasy Baseball Insiders

Our 2011 fantasy baseball projections will be released one-by-one until the top 100 players have been revealed. These rankings consider past achievements, current performance and expected future results based on standard 5×5 H2H settings.

It’s difficult to understand just how good Clayton Kershaw has been considering his young age. Last season Kershaw was the youngest among 45 pitchers who logged 200 innings, at age 22. Of those 45 pitchers, only three (Lincecum, Lester and Weaver) posted a strikeout rate higher than Kershaw’s (9.34).

To further emphasize the rarity of dominance at this age, I compared Kershaw’s age 21 and 22 seasons to those of fellow phenom, Felix Hernandez.

Felix Hernandez

• 2007 (Age 21): 190 1/3 IP, 7.80 K/9, 2.51 BB/9, 3.92 ERA, 1.38 WHIP
• 2008 (Age 22): 200 2/3 IP, 7.85 K/9, 3.59 BB/9, 3.45 ERA, 1.39 WHIP

Clayton Kershaw

• 2009 (Age 21): 171 IP, 9.74 K/9, 4.79 BB/9, 2.79 ERA, 1.23 WHIP
• 2010 (Age 22): 204 1/3 IP, 9.34 K/9, 3.57 BB/9, 2.91 ERA, 1.18 WHIP

Like most young pitchers (including Hernandez) Kershaw has struggled with his command. It’s important to note, however, that he greatly improved his walk rate from 2009 to last season. Further improvement into the 3.00 range could usher Kershaw into elite territory.

Red flags in Kershaw’s case are minimal. He’s defied xFIP each of the last two seasons thanks to the second lowest HR/9 rate (0.48) in the majors. Common sense would suggest Dodgers Stadium has aided Kershaw’s HR rates, but the numbers don’t support that. In fact, Kershaw was much better on the road than at home last season:

• Home: 3.33 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 0.83 HR/9
• Away: 2.43 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 0.28 HR/9

I’m normally skeptical of two-pitch pitchers, but Kershaw’s fastball and slider are both plus-offerings. In fact, Kershaw owned the one of the most effective sliders last season, second only to Francisco Liriano’s. If he can minimize his walks, Kershaw could rise into the elite class of fantasy starters.

Image courtesy of: Jamie Engber

The latest from Fantasy Baseball Insiders:

• Guerrero to Baltimore: Why He’s Better Off in Camden Yards than Rangers Ballpark

Fantasy Baseball Insiders’ 2011 Big Board:

• Nos. 1-10: Is Pujols Still The Top Pick?
• Nos. 11-20: Where Do Votto, A-Rod and Halladay Fit In?
• Nos. 21-30: Hernandez, Lincecum or Wainwright?
• Nos. 31-40: Heyward, Upton or McCutchen?

MLB Trades: Fantasy Impact:

• Frank Francisco Traded to the Blue Jays, Who Will Be The Team’s Closer?
• Mike Napoli Traded to the Texas Rangers: Fantasy Impact
• Vernon Wells Traded to the Los Angeles Angels: Fantasy Impact
• Adrian Beltre Traded to the Texas Rangers: Fantasy Impact

Previous articles from Fantasy Baseball Insiders:

• The Sub-2.50 ERA Curse: Why Five Elite Starting Pitchers May Regress in 2011
• 2010 Batting Average on Balls in Play Leaders: What to Expect in 2011?
• 2011 Closer’s Corner: Papelbon, Cordero & Rivera Are the Only Reliable Options