Are these numbers you want?
![Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda of Japan throws...](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.newsday.com%2Fimage-service%2Fversion%2Fc%3AMWQ4NzFlODUtZjBkNS00%3AODUtZjBkNS00OTY4MGY0%2Fyankees-dodgers-baseball.jpg%3Ff%3DLandscape%2B16%253A9%26w%3D770%26q%3D1&w=1920&q=80)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda of Japan throws to the plate during the third inning. (June 26, 2010) Credit: AP
Often times if you take away the name of a player and just roll out the stats, then put a name to them eyebrows are raised. Lets try that now.
In 2010, this pitcher had a 7.29 K/9, 2.20 BB/9, a 3.39 ERA, and a 1.16 WHIP along with a 51 percent gorund ball rate. He went just 11-13, but remember wins are very difficult to project. I'm sure you would take those numbers on your team.
Can you guess who it is? It's Hiroki Kuroda from the Dodgers. Shocked aren't you? He gets no respect in drafts and I don't understand why. I have been able to get him in a few drafts so far and comes at a bargain. He goes under the radar and is just another example of why it’s fine to wait on pitching.
It might be the win totals that scare off those owners that look at the win column too much. Last year was the first season he reached double-digit wins in his three seasons in the majors.
In each of the three seasons, his ERA was 3.76 or lower, including a career-low last year. The K/9 has increased each season with a career-high in 2010. The control has always been excellent with a BB/9 never higher than 2.20.
His career groundball rate is 51 percent and the WHIP is exceptional. It was 1.22 in 2008, 1.14 in 2009 and 1.16 last season. He has all the qualities that add up to an excellent fantasy pitcher and it won't come at a high price. He's a bargain.
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