Top 10 Pitching Prospects for 2003

Top 10 Pitching Prospects for 2003 

Hope everyone like the top 10 hitters. That I posted the other day. Now lets move on to the pitching aspect of the game.  Again I am using the top pitchers in the 2003 draft, and their individual career WAR ratings. If I miss someone or that pitcher is already on a roster because he was carded in 2002 let me know.

1. Cliff Lee, WAR 43.3 (last year 2104)

Cliff Lee is probably the best long term pitcher in the draft. He is also very usable in 03, however watch out as he has the dreaded "F" Injury rating.

2. Brandon Webb, WAR 33.3 (last year 2009)

Would you like some Webb in 03? Yes, please. .167 vs RH doesn't give up the long ball. What's not to love? 

3. Dan Haren, WAR 32.9 (last year 2015)

Haren just retired after the 15 season so you know you got him for a while. However if your looking for pitching in 03 you might want to look elsewhere. 

4. R.A. Dickey, WAR 20.6 (still playing)

Ah, a Knuckelballer. While he might have a 20.6 WAR for his career you might want to stay away for R.A. as he stinks for the next 3 years and is not in the MLB for the 07 season.

5. Rich Harden, WAR 17.7 (last year 2012)

Harden pretty meh in 03, but gets better. Specially in 05 with a WHIP of  1.063. A little bump back up in 06, but strong for 07 and 08.

6. Aaron Cook, WAR 15.6 (last year 2012)

Is there such a thing called a good pitcher in Colorado? Cook might be the closest. He gives up a lot of hits through out his career, but he keeps the ball in the park not giving up a lot of long balls. His walks are okay having a BB9 of 2.7 for his career. 

7. Dontrelle Willis, WAR 15.4(last year 2011)

WOOO WHOOOO, ALL ABOARD THE D-TRAIN! The fog of war has clouded my memory of Willis. What I remember that he was all the rage in 03, and with a JAM, and low ERA pretty much solidifies my memory. However, D-Trains career was not all that, but will be decent for some one for 4 years. 

8. José Contreras, WAR 13.4(last year 2013)

Oooooo, the Yankees Cuban defector. Well enjoy him for 03, because the rest of the career is pretty crappy.

9. José Valverde, WAR 11.2(last year 2014)

Looking for a reliever for your powerhouse dynasty team? Jose can be your man. If you hope that he will strikeout out a ton of guys in the 9th (580-899!), he probably will. However, he might walk in the winning run as well.  

10. Luis Ayala, WAR 8.2 (last year 2013)

Luis is a decent 7th inning guy out of the pen. Great hold A+(-4), doesn't walk men, and does not give up home runs, well at least against righties. Don't look at his vs LH numbers. He keeps the ERA nice a low till 2007 then he leaves the MLB in 08, and comes back in 09. 

There you have it the top 10 pitchers according their career WAR numbers. Let me know what you think of the pitching class of 03.