There are many great young arms in baseball, but one that went a bit unnoticed this preseason in the Angels' LHP Joe Saunders. After eight shutout innings in his first start of the season, a win at Minnestoa, Saunders threw eight stellar innings Monday night at home against the Indians. The 26-year old hurler scattered a run, four hits and two walks over eight innings and was in-line for his second victory of the year before Francisco Rodriguez blew the save.
Saunders really caught fire after being called up last season, but fizzled out as the season came to an end. He entered this spring fighting for a job, but various injuries in the Angels' rotation opened the door for him to start the season in the rotation. Now, Saunders appears to be the ace. His 0.56 ERA and 0.69 WHIP through his first 16 innings this season are enough to excited about.
He has extra incentive to succeed as he will try to make it impossible for Los Angeles to take him out of the rotation. The kid only has 35 career starts to his name, but he's displayed in that small sample that he has the stuff to be effective on the Major League level.
This guy is the most added player throughout the leagues at CBSSports.com right now having gone from being on rosters in 28% of the leagues a week ago to being on 69% of the rosters right now. That means he is still out in 31% of the leagues, which may include yours.
His next start in Sunday against the Mariners, so keep your eyes on him and grab him while you still can.