Crooked Pitch

Brandon Webb only made one start in 2009, sidelined with shoulder issues. But, he threw from a mound on Tuesday and the results seemed positive.

PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb threw off the mound today for the first time in his rehabilitation from right shoulder surgery at Chase Field. Statement by D-backs’ Manager A.J. Hinch: “It was good to get him into the next phase of his rehabilitation. He looked comfortable. This is a positive sign as we’re getting close to Spring Training. I thought he looked good.”  Statement by D-backs’ right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb: “I felt good this morning. I’m right where I expected to be. Having not been on the mound in a year, I am pleased with how I felt.”

Webb’s current average draft position is 132.89, which makes him a ‘tweener from the 11th to the 12th round in fantasy drafts. Our consensus ranking over at FanHouse has him as the 22nd-ranked starting pitcher. I think that both his ADP and ranking will rise as Spring Training progresses and he proves that he’s healthy.

In each of the last two seasons, Erik Bedard has made only 15 starts. In 2009, Bedard’s season was cut short by a torn labrum and inflamed bursa which required surgery. Prior to hitting the disabled list, the Mariners pitcher was 5-3 with a 2.82 ERA. Bedard still has talent, which is why they Mariners have signed him to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with incentives, says The Seattle Post Intelligencer.

Bedard’s numbers are not in question. He won 15 games in 2006, 13 in 2007 and hasn’t let his ERA rise above four since 2004. If he can with the battle this season against injury, he might surprise some people.

Bedard has an average draft position of 233.77, which places him in the 20th round of fantasy baseball drafts. If you’re a high risk/high reward fantasy GM, you might take a flier on him. But watch him closely in Spring Training.