1. Johan Santana - Minnesota Twins (28 years old)

Santana is the best pitcher in baseball, let alone the American League. Consider this: since the 2003 season, Santana has yet post an ERA above 3.00, a WHIP above 1.00, less than 16 wins, 228 IP and 250 strikeouts. He's the only pitcher that warrants 1st round consideration in any format.

Johan Santana 2007 Projections

2. John Lackey - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (27 years old)

John Lackey is a solid innings eater, and the rare strikeout pitcher who keeps the ball in the yard, despite having a below average groundball percentage.  He gives up around three BB/9, which will inflate his ratios a bit, but is nothing to get alarmed about.

John Lackey 2007 Projections

3. C.C. Sabathia - Cleveland Indians (26 years old)

Sabathia has faced criticisms about his weight and durability, and at times been compared to Bartolo Colon. But you pay no attention to that…he's a groundball/strikeout pitcher coming off the best season of his career, and he's only 26 years old.

C.C. Sabithia 2007 Projections

4. Felix Hernandez - Seattle Mariners (21 years old)

Ah…The King.  And just why do they call him King Felix? He's 20 years old, strikes out better than eight batters per nine, has a groundball/fly-ball ratio of 2.39, and was unlucky last year on balls batted into play. That means that he should have been better than his ERA suggests. Look for Felix to take a big step forward in his second full season as a pro. There isn't a better young pitching prospect in the Major Leagues today.  Did I mention that Felix reported to camp 20 pounds leaner this year?

Felix Hernandez 2007 Projections