Fantasy sleeper Ervin Santana gave up two runs and five hits in 4 2-3 innings on Friday. Santana struck out nine Dodgers and looked dominant in his final spring training appearance.
Santana might be back to 2008 form
After getting two runners on in the third, Santana struck out Manny Ramirez, Matt Kemp and James Loney. That’s 2008 Ervin right there. He was troubled with elbow issues in early 2009, but in the second half, he went 7-3 with a 3.90 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 99 1/3 innings.
It was just a year ago when Santana was on the cusp of becoming a top-15 starter. He was being drafted well ahead of Josh Johnson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Yovani Gallardo and Justin Verlander. If he stays healthy and has a solid 2010, he could return to that secondary tier of starting pitchers.
Grab Santana in all leagues if you have an empty bench spot. If he starts the season with a solid start, everyone will be all over him. Just throw him on your bench now — no risk and huge reward.
Santana will make his season debut on Wednesday night against Carl Pavano and the Minnesota Twins.
