Top 5 Rookie Relief Pitchers - Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide 2009

Get ready for your 2009 fantasy baseball draft by dominating the competition with some of the best fantasy baseball rankings, projections, and tips for free. Here is a complete listing of the Top 5 Rookie Relief Pitchers for 2009 fantasy baseball drafts. Note: Rookie relief pitcher rankings are based on the potential for each player to play in 2009 or their individual major league readiness for the 2009 season, and not just overall talent at the minor league level and years beyond 2009.

Top 5 Rookie Relief Pitcher Rankings - Fantasy Baseball 2009

#1 - Jeff Samardzija - Chicago Cubs

#2 - Casey Weathers - Colorado Rockies

#3 - Adam Miller - Cleveland Indians

#4 - James McDonald - Los Angeles Dodgers

#5 - JA Happ - Philadelphia Phillies

Player Details & 2009 Projections:

#1 Rookie Relief Pitcher - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Jeff Samardzija - Chicago Cubs

Samardzija is projected as a full time starter down the road, however after last year's emergence as a reliable setup man, Samardzija should once again hold a very important role in the bullpen with the Cubs quest for another 90 plus win season in 2009. Samardzija could post 100 innings pitched, 3 wins, 5 saves, 100 strikeouts, an ERA around 3.00, and a WHIP around 1.25.

#2 Rookie Relief Pitcher - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Casey Weathers - Colorado Rockies

Considered the Rockies closer of the future for the last two years now, Weathers has a fastball that consistently hits 95 and his pitching makeup is ideal for handling a closers roll. If Huston Street and Manny Corpas stumble to claim the closers role in, Weathers will be waiting in the wings to take over. At 24 years of age for the 2009 season, Weather could very easily make the Rockies club out of spring training, and be a very valuable setup man. His 2009 stats could include 60 innings pitched, 70-80 strikeouts, an ERA around 2.50, and a WHIP around 1.10.

#3 Rookie Relief Pitcher - Fantasy Baseball 2009: Adam Miller - Cleveland Indians

Miller was considered the top pitching prospect in the Indians organization for the past few years, however constant injuries have slowly caused his value to tumble. So in order to keep him healthy, the Indians will consider moving him to the bullpen in 2009, with the possibility of even making him a closer down the road. If he can stay healthy and pitch just 60-70 innings, Miller could post 3 wins, 50-60 strikeouts, an ERA around 3.50, and a WHIP around 1.20.

#4 Rookie Relief Pitcher - Fantasy Baseball 2009: James McDonald - Los Angeles Dodgers

With the Dodgers in need of some bullpen help, McDonald may be used in the bullpen to start the 2009 season. He got some playing time as a relief pitcher last year, and although he is projected as a starter down the road, a place in the bullpen will get him some major league experience while also keeping his arm fresh. 80-100 innings pitched, 3 wins, 80 strikeouts, an ERA around 3.80-4.00, and a WHIP around 1.25 seem likely for McDonald in 2009.

#5 Rookie Relief Pitcher - Fantasy Baseball 2009: JA Happ - Philadelphia Phillies

Happ will be 26 years old during the 2009 season, however he has yet to make a significant impact as a starter. He did however finally get some playing time last year as both a spot starter and relief pitcher for the Phillies in 2008. With this major league experience, and the fact that he is left handed, Happ could very easily stick in the Phillies bullpen to begin the 2009 season. Especially when you consider the Phillies top left handed relief pitcher JC Romero will be suspended for the first 50 games of the season. This may finally be Happ's time to show what he can do. In 70 innings pitched, expect 3 wins, 50 strikeouts, an ERA around 3.80, and a WHIP around 1.25.

Rookie Relief Pitchers Just Missing the Top 5:

Mark Melancon - New York Yankees, Jeff Niemann - Tampa Bay Rays, Scott Elbert - Los Angeles Dodgers