Hot Commodities

One of the great things about Habla (actually about BBPro 98) is that their is a certain "X-factor" involving player production. Some players will go from mere contributors to All Stars in one season. There are different contributors to this, such as changing teams, changing stadiums, changed to the ini file, younger players developing etc., but, I think we would agree that some times it is a mystery. Nonetheless, I thought it would be fun to look at those players who, in the last few seasons, have become hot commodities, who have gone from rags to riches, from contributors to much more. You may notice that all 10 are pitchers, but that should not be surprising, since more pitchers have turn arounds than do hitters. Anyway, here they are, the top 10 hot commodities.

1. P Francisco Barrios Yankees

Barrios seems to be the clear cut #1 on this list. He has gone from an ERA near 5.00 in '29 to a Cy Young winning season last year in which he won 21 games with a meager ERA of 1.58. He seems to be the AL front runner for the award this year as well. A manager recently commented that no player has benefited more from the change in ini 2 years ago than Barrios. He has made quite a change.

2. P Preacher Roe Rangers

Roe was traded from the Cubs to the Rangers in the middle of the '29 season. He ended up finishing 5-8 with a 4.14 ERA. The next season he won 23 games with a 2.62 ERA and finished in the top 3 in Cy Young voting. His change in production is due to a few things, probably the biggest being his change from the worst pitchers parks in baseball to a more balanced home field. Regardless, the Rangers like having Roe in their rotation.

3. P Danny McDevitt Pirates

McDevitt has seen a turn around over a few seasons. After going 2-4 with an ERA over 6.00, he was able to drop his ERA to 3.67 and then to an amazing 1.68 last season. It seems clear that McDevitt's turn around was not a fluke and he is a big part of the reason the Pirates are defending World Series Champions.

4. P Alvin Crowder Cardinals

Crowder was a wreck early in his career, but has made quite an impact for the Cardinals in the last few seasons. After his last rough season in '29, where his ERA was over 5.00, he has had 2 and a half great seasons with ERA's under 3.00.

5. P Andy Van Hekken Marlins

After having a great first few seasons, Van Hekken shifted into a back end of the rotation guy. then, after some ini and team changes a few years ago, he has rejuvinated his career and has become an ace type starter, getting his ERA down below 2.00 for the first time ever.

6. P Tony Livingston White Sox

Livingston did not make an amazing one year turn around, but instead has seemed to get better every year. After the 2025 season, where he had an ERa of about 4 and a half, he has lowered it pretty much every year until he posted a 2.30 ERA with 11 wins last season.

7. P David Cone Twins

Cone has always been a good pitcher. He was selected first overall by the Twins a number of years ago. He had played some good years and been pretty good for the Twins, even winning 22 games one year. However, some of us watched an felt that Cone was not yet the Ace that he could and would become. He seems to have made the switch, winning 18 games with a 2.59 ERA last year and starting this year 11-1 with a 2.35.

8. P Jason Simontacci Phillies

Jason Simontacci had had a mediocre career. that was until last season, when he pitched 31.2 innings in relief without allowing an earned run. He has continued that success this season, with an ERA just over 1.00 in 42.1 innings in relief.

9. P Wilson Alvarez Marlins

Alvarez is an interesting story, as he was an undrafted ammy turned hot free agent. The Marlins were the high bidder, and watched him pitch poorly. Then, in '29 put up a great year with a 2.85 ERA. After a rough year pitching in Coors Field, Alvarez is back with the Marlins and pitching well again.

10. P Jerry Robertson Rangers

Robertson was not a great pitcher early in his career. however, he has come on late in his career as a great long reliever and fill in starter. After putting up an ERA of 3.08 in 87 innings in 2027, Robertson went on to have two of his next 3 seasons see ERAs below 3.70. Robertson has went from a bum to a very valuable and versatile pitcher.