A Two Handed Pitcher?!?!!?

If you are around my age(27) you remember back in the good old days of video games. No, I'm not talking Playstation 1!! I'm talking about Nintendo, and Super Nintendo. Back in those days Baseball Video Games; let's just say they weren’t as "technologically advanced as they are now. As in, pitchers would pitch with both hands.

Well, in real life finally that has come true. Pat Venditte, former Creighton pitching great, finally made his debut with the Yankees big club in Spring Training today. Normally, an end of the spring game means just about nothing, especially when a guy is pitching who was the 6,000000th pick of the draft a few years ago and has a spring era about as equally as high. Venditte, however, made history by pitching with BOTH arms in the same outing! The amazing thing about Venditte, he has velocity with both arms and even uses a different delivery from both sides! It really is mind-boggling! Check his outing out on YouTube if you get the chance!

Fantasy Relevance: Well, back in the early days of my league with my buddies, we always tried to "one-up" each other at the end of drafts by taking "joke" picks. Now, that’s not the case anymore since the league has expanded to 12 players and is very competitive, making every pick count, but back in the day we would take guys towards the end (think Carlos Baerga circa 2005)..... So, with Venditte heading back to the minors, he would make a very solid "joke pick" in the 21st round. I could actually see Venditte getting a call up come July or August, but even so no need to keep him on your long term fantasy radar.

Coming up next blog: Who has a chance to be this year's " Bonifacio? "

Blog 1: Fantasy Sleepers

With the grandest fantasy sport draft of them all, fantasy baseball, coming up for most of you soon, I thought it would be fitting to post some thoughts concerning the all important category of “fantasy sleeper". Some of these guys are young, some are recovering from serious injuries, some have had a few bad years, and some have been forgotten.

Sleeper 1: Julio Borbon- Texas Rangers OF
In only 46 games last year Borbon stole 19 bases. This year he should get 500 at bats in a loaded Rangers lineup. Grab him if he is around towards the 16th round.

Sleeper 2: Jason Heyward- Everyone who's anyone has heard of this kid. It's not if this guy is going to be a star but will he be a star this year? My guess is no but .300 in the 2nd half, along with runs and power isn’t out of the question. My guess is he starts the year batting 7th and by the end may be in the 3rd spot. 17th round or so give Heyward a look. If you're in a keeper league, draft him MUCH higher.

Sleeper 3: Kyle Blanks- This kid is legit. 10 homers in less than 150 at bats last season. This season Blanks plays full time on a rebuilding team so 500 plus at bats isn’t out of the question. .280, 30 homers are not out of the question. I'd actually rank him right around Hunter Pence right now so take that for what you will.

Sleeper 4: Aroldis Chapman- The Cuban Defector throws over 100 miles an hour. Now I don't think he will dominate this season and I think wins won’t come easy. But I do think he can strike out 170 plus batters and be #4 fantasy starter depending on what your staff needs.Era might hover around 4.70 and walks will be an issue. Don't believe the hype people like Aaron Boone are giving the Reds. They'll be lucky to win 78 games.

Sleeper 5: Brian Matusz- The young lefty has the 3 spot nailed down for Baltimore. Had an excellent end to his first trip in the big leagues last season winning his last 3 starts and looking very "Kershaw" esc in the process. I'm thinking 12 wins and a 3.95 era with a whip around 1.30. 16th round or lower, snag him and you’ll have a steal!

Sleeper 6: Billy Wagner- 38 years old and fairly recently removed from shoulder surgery. Those are the negatives..... the only negatives. Wagner is hitting 100 again on the radar, and will be closing for the Braves, A team I think can win 90 plus games. 35 saves and a sub 2.50 era will happen this year if Wagner can stay healthy. Depending on your need for closers, rank him much higher on your rp chart then most of the mock rankings is currently.

Sleeper 7: Fausto Carmona- 2 years of hell for Carmona. Man has he been bad. Why will he change this year? Tim Belcher, new Indians pitching coach has gotten Carmona under control. Only 2 walks this Spring Training. Carmona pitched Winter Ball and was lights out. The guys back. 16 wins, sub 3.6 era and a 1.23 whip will happen this year. Should be the steal of fantasy pitching this season.