By David Gignilliat
League 10
The key to any Atlanta resurgence in 2008 will be a return to form of Atlanta’s trademark, consistent starting pitching. And if the Braves do return to the playoffs this season, they will need a strong comeback season from oft-injured, left-handed starting pitcher Mike Hampton.
Hampton, expected to be the Braves’s fourth starter this season, has missed most of three seasons with a collection of elbow, hamstring, and arm injuries. He has not pitched in a MLB game since 2005. And he’s been a fantasy afterthought for even longer. In fact, the last time Hampton snapped off a curveball, the real estate market was still in bloom, Barack Obama was a mere mortal, and the Atlanta Falcons had a promising, non-felonious young quarterback named Michael Vick.
The Fantasy Baseball Mafia recently caught up with Hampton between morning workouts and an afternoon on the golf course …
“Things are going well. My arm is feeling really strong, and it’s improving every day,” said Hampton. “The legs still have a little ways to go. Overall, I feel good about my prospects and look forward to starting the season in the Braves’ rotation.”
Hampton’s injury saga began with an elbow injury he suffered on August 19, 2005. Hampton had Tommy John surgery on September 25, 2005 and missed the entire 2006 season in rehabilitation. The Braves had hoped that Hampton would be ready to rejoin the rotation to begin the 2007 season.
Unfortunately, Hampton tore his oblique muscle last March. Pain continued to flare up in his recently-repaired elbow, and after consulting with the doctor who performed his initial Tommy John procedure, Hampton and the Braves decided it would be best to shut things down again and plan for a return in the 2008 season.
It’s been a long road back for Hampton, a player who has always prided himself on conditioning and preparation.
“I am a professional. I know what I need to do to prepare myself physically and mentally for the season” said Hampton, who plays fantasy NASCAR and lists his friend Jimmie Johnson as his favorite driver. “I am ready to contribute. I feel like I still have some good seasons left in me.”
And it’s not like Hampton hasn’t experienced success before. As a Houston Astro, Hampton narrowly missed winning the Cy Young with his breakthrough 1999 season (22-4, 2.90 ERA). Hampton has played in two All-Star games, won a NLCS MVP in 2000, and is the only player ever to win a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger in the same year (2003).
“I’m gearing myself mentally to be a starter for the whole season, to pick the ball up every fifth day. I expect to give the Braves quality innings and quality starts,” Hampton said.
At the very least, the Braves rotation is stocked with experience. The top four starters (John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Tim Hudson, and Hampton) have combined for 773 wins, 1,732 starts, and 11,666 innings. By the end of the season, the group will likely be over 800 wins. That’s 200 wins per starter.
“We have a lot of experience on our staff. There’s over 60 years of pitching in those four spots,” Hampton said. “With that type of background, I think we’ll be able to handle every curveball thrown our way.”
My bottom line fantasy advice: Keep good tabs on the Braves’ veteran staff … and Hampton specifically. None of the guys are going to win 20 games, but all four have a fighting chance at cracking double digits in wins. Of the team’s elder armsmen, Hampton might still have the most upside.
It certainly wouldn’t be an awful move to pick up Hampton with one of your late round picks. He’s had a few smaller injury concerns so far in spring training, but he appears on track to be part of an extremely veteran Atlanta rotation come April. You could do a lot worse.
In fact, many leagues are won in the “let’s-hurry-up-and-finish” portion of a draft. It pays to do your homework and take a few chances here. If you’re like me at all, you’ll start reaching a bit in your draft’s later rounds. This is especially true in league formats where there are at least 21 rounds and multiple DL spots. By the end of this type of draft, you can take a flyer on any number of long shots.
Here’s what usually happens. You draft your team some time in mid-to-late March, let it marinate for a few days, and then start looking on the waiver wire to replace the last three or four guys you drafted. What looked like a good pick in the haze of your draft’s 11th hour now looks a lot less appealing in the light of day. In short, for many owners, the last few spots on your team are a revolving door for deep sleepers, rookies, and stopgaps.
If the stars are aligned, Hampton could give you 12-14 wins, 150 Ks and a high-3 ERA. That’s pretty good value for a late-round pick or a free agent pickup.