The first few days of the season are a great time for fantasy owners. We can enjoy a hot start for our team -- which obviously means a championship is on the way -- or we're stuck scouring the waiver wire for guys who have already shown they are going to be a stud all season long. Then, we remember Chris Shelton. In 2006, Shelton had 9 home runs and 17 RBI with a .471 average through 13 games. Thus, he is our namesake for Stud or Shelton.Today, we'll check out a bevy of unheralded and/or maligned starting pitchers who have shown their true studly colors in their first start. Or have they? The lightning round of judgment follows the jump (because we heart lightning rounds).
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Ubaldo Jimenez
The Case: Out-dueled Dan Haren in Arizona, shutting down the Diamondbacks for 7 shutout innings. He struck out 8.
The Verdict: Stud
The Rationale: He's progressed the past three seasons anyway, and he's only 25. Up and comer here.
Kevin Millwood
The Case: He dealt against the Indians on Opening Day, only allowing 1 earned run in 7 innings. He struck out 5 and walked only 1.
The Verdict: Shelton
The Rationale: He's gotten knocked around far too much the past three seasons to believe he's all of a sudden fixed things at age 34. Look for his ERA to return to the 5.00-range quite soon.
Franklin Morales
The Case: The-23 year-old gave up only a solo home run in 6 innings of work. He struck out 6 and walked only 1.
The Verdict: Doesn't matter for now.
The Rationale: He was already sent down to the minors. Table him for now -- until they realize Jason Marquis sucks -- but keep your eyes peeled. He's a solid prospect.
Zach Duke
The Case: Worked 6 1/3 innings against the Cardinals, allowing only 1 earned run.
The Verdict: Shelton
The Rationale: He's only 26, but I'm not buying it. In the past three seasons he hasn't shown any ability to make adjustments during the season. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Astros knock him around Monday.
Zach Miner
The Case: Took the ball against the Blue Jays and went 5 2/3 innings, only allowing 6 hits and 1 run.
The Verdict: Shelton
The Rationale: With the continued growth of Rick Porcello and Jeremy Bonderman's return, Miner won't even stay in the rotation.
Paul Maholm
The Case: Solid opener in St. Louis saw Maholm work 6 2/3 innings and only allow 1 earned run.
The Verdict: quasi-Stud
The Rationale: He'll be helpful in WHIP and ERA this season, but his wins and strikeouts won't be plentiful.
Edwin Jackson
The Case: The bullpen blew a gem for Jackson. He gave up only a solo home run in 7 1/3 innings -- and that was in the eighth when he was tiring.
The Verdict: Stud
The Rationale: We loved him before the season, and this outing does nothing but reinforce said love. The only problem is the bullpen sucks.
David Purcey
The Case: Limited the Tigers to 2 earned runs and 5 hits in 7 innings.
The Verdict: Shelton, for now
The Rationale: Last year was the first season he succeeded in the minors, so I'm expecting growing pains along the way in the majors. He'll have outings like these, but also get shelled by the AL East several times.
Ricky Romero
The Case: Outworked touted Porcello, by hurling 6 innings and only allowing 2 runs. He struck out 5.
The Verdict: Shelton
The Rationale: I just can't get on board yet. He's pitching in the offensively-loaded AL East and never found huge success in the minors.
Jarrod Washburn
The Case: Eight innings of shutout ball against the Twins had us thinking it was 2002.
The Verdict: big-time Shelton
The Rationale: Too bad it's 2009. He doesn't strike out near enough hitters to justify carrying his destined to be 4.75 ERA and 1.45 WHIP.
Glen Perkins
The Case: He deserved a win, but his offense was stymied by Washburn. He scattered 5 hits and only allowed 1 run in 8 innings.
The Verdict: quasi-Stud
The Rationale: He's not this good, but he's going to have a solid season and is worth using in AL-Only leagues. The problem is his lack of strikeouts.
Kyle Davies
The Case: In 7 shutout innings, he struck out 8 White Sox, only allowing 3 hits.
The Verdict: Stud
The Rationale: Yeah, I'm gonna go out on a limb here. He was once a solid prospect for the Braves but lost his way. Still, he's only 25 and coming off a 4-1, 2.27 September. He has good strikeout potential, and the AL Central isn't exactly loaded with offense.
Wandy Rodriguez
The Case: He shut the Cubs down for 6 innings (4 hits and 1 earned run).
The Verdict: Stud
The Rationale: We already liked Wandy coming into the season, and handling the Cubs' offense is a good sign. He still needs to learn to pitch on the road, but at age 30 it's about time.
Ross Ohlendorf
The Case: Held down the Cardinals for a bit, but was outpitched by Chris Carpenter (no shame in that).
The Verdict: Shelton
The Rationale: Just can't buy it yet. Definitely keep your eyes on him in huge NL-Only leagues, though, because he's shown the ability to have superb control.
Is there a player you want examined for Stud or Shelton? Let us know, and we'll tackle him in the next installment.
