Toronto rookie starter Kyle Drabek allowed one run on just one hit over seven innings versus the Minnesota Twins during his season debut on April 2. Drabek actually took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, only to surrender a one-out single to Denard Span. Drabek recovered by striking out Tsuyoshi Nishioka and inducing a Joe Mauer ground out. It was, not to state the obvious, a stellar performance, one bordering on the masterful. In fact, Drabek’s only real blemish was the three walks he surrendered. It was a near-perfect beginning to the 2011 season for Drabek, who is finally living up to all the promise his pedigree would suggest.
Drabek, the son of former Major League pitcher and 1990 NL Cy Young Award winner Doug Drabek, was originally drafted as the 18th overall pick in the 2006 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies carefully groomed the young right-hander by allowing him to develop in the low minors before testing the waters at higher levels. By 2009, Drabek was moving from A+ to AA and keeping pace with his contemporaries. In 2009, following a trade to the Blue Jays (in the deal for Roy Halladay), Drabek pitched to a 14-9 record with a 2.94 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. His 3.97 K/BB was his highest since rookie ball, and he showed signs of being Major League ready.
Drabek made his Major League debut last season going 0-3 with a 4.76 ERA and a 12/5 K/BB. It’s a limited sample size to be certain, but even in limited use, Drabek showed an ability to strike big league hitters out at a rate very much in keeping with his minor league track record. Drabek’s smattering of big league success in 2009 did little to prepare fans (and fantasy owners) for what was in store on April 2. Further, it may be setting up fantasy owners to be disappointed. While it’s possible that a top-15 prospect could burst on to the scene and dominate for an entire rookie season, the fact remains unlikely. As was the case with Tina Yothers, growing pains are to be expected, especially with a pitcher that doesn’t have a superhuman K-rate.
Drabek is an interesting speculative add, especially in AL-only formats where he should be owned almost universally. Fantasy owners may want to sit him against the more robust American League offenses (the Bostons, New Yorks, and Texases), and try the match-ups play early on. Time will tell whether Drabek is rounding into a full-fledged rookie sensation, or (and this is more likely) he was simply a one-start wonder. Stay tuned to Jockstrap Journalism and/or VH1 to follow the story.
Damian Schaab is a senior writer for SportsGrumblings.com, and member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. You can hear his fantasy reflections on XM147/Sirius211 between 8 and 11 PM, EST every Saturday evening at a satellite radio near you. Also, do feel obligated to follow his misanthropic musings via Twitter @jsjournalism and, of course, right here at http://jockstrapjournalism.blogspot.com/
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