Strikeouts are one of the most popular pitching categories. A strikeout is essentially the defensive equivalent of a home run. Pitchers that strike out a lot of batters are generally well respected and are normally among the best pitchers overall.

Randy Johnson (334), Curt Schilling (316) and Pedro Martinez (239) were the top three in this category last season. They are also the three best pitchers in Fantasy, so obtaining them will be very expensive, costing upwards of $40 in some auction leagues.

Once pitchers of the elite status are selected, it is always good to gamble on a pitcher that throws hard, but has had control trouble. Ryan Dempster struggled with his control at times last season, walking 93 batters in 209 innings. Poor control resulted in a lot of earned runs for Dempster and a 5.38 ERA. However, the 25-year-old also struck out 153 batters. Dempster might very well emerge as a sleeper in this category if he has better command this season. Adding him to your roster in a 5x5 NL-only league is reasonable if you can pick him up at the end of a draft or auction.

Milwaukee pitcher Ben Sheets had a similar problem last season. Although Sheets struck out 86 batters before the All-Star break, he walked 45 in 109 2/3 innings. His control issues resulted in an unimpressive 4-10 record, which negated his strikeout effort. Sheets regrouped after the break and improved his control. He walked 25 batters and struck out 84 in 107 innings after the break. The result was a favorable 7-6 finish, making him very effective in 5x5 leagues. Sheets might be able to reach 200 strikeouts if he can control his pitches for the entire season.

San Diego pitcher Brian Lawrence didn't have any control issues last season, but he might be overlooked in this category, making him an intriguing pickup in Fantasy leagues. He will likely be the Padres' opening day starter and staff ace. Being the No. 1 starter for the hapless Padres might not result in a lot of victories, but good stuff and experience might result in more strikeouts for Lawrence. He struck out 84 batters in 114 2/3 innings during his 2001 rookie campaign and whiffed 149 batters in 210 innings last season. Lawrence might be able to strike out between 160 and 180 batters this season now that he is more comfortable in the major leagues. Keep this in mind when bidding for his services. Don't hesitate to spend between $12-$15 for him in an NL-only league.

American League pitcher Johan Santana was considered a sleeper before the season, but his stock is gradually rising. After striking out 137 batters in 108 1/3 innings last season as a reliever and spot starter, he was slated to pitch out of the bullpen again this year. However, knee surgery will sideline starting pitcher Eric Milton four to six months, allowing Santana to join the rotation. Santana might be a prime source of strikeouts now, accumulating between 170 and 180 this season. However, his increased role will likely place him on the wish lists of most knowledgeable Fantasy owners. Don't hesitate to pursue Santana, but try not to spend more than $15 for his services.

Up and coming K artists

Lawrence isn't the only young San Diego pitcher that might make an impact in the strikeout category. Second-year pitcher Oliver Perez struck out 94 batters in 90 innings last season and is also a candidate to start on opening day. He might very well strike out between 170 and 190 batters in 2003 if he can get at least 170 innings. Perez might emerge as one of the best young pitchers in baseball this season, but he probably won't receive much attention in auctions because he pitches for San Diego. He can probably be had for about $10.

Fellow second-year pitchers Brett Myers and Mark Prior might also make an impact in the strikeout category. Myers struck out 34 batters in 72 innings last season. He should be even more effective this season now that he is more experienced, and might provide at least 100 Ks.

Prior will probably be even more dominant in this category. As a rookie, he accumulated 147 strikeouts in 116 2/3 innings. The former No. 1 overall pick is a classic power pitcher with a blazing fastball and also has one of the best curves among young pitchers. Prior has the talent to be a 200-strikeout pitcher, but the Cubs are wary of letting young pitchers throw a lot of innings. Kerry Wood threw 166 2/3 innings as a rookie and blew out his elbow. The Cubs don't want that to happen to Prior, so they will likely limit his innings. However, he might very well surpass 175 strikeouts if he can pitch about 150 innings this season.

Myers and Prior are highly regarded and will be in high demand in drafts and auctions. Myers will likely generate a price tag between $10-$15. Prior might cost as much as $25. Prior is definitely worth the risk in an NL-only league and is even worth selecting once the top 10 pitchers are gone in a snake draft. Hold off on selecting Myers until the middle rounds of a draft.

Breakouts and busts

Veterans like Ramon Ortiz, Jason Schmidt and Wood are primed to reach new heights in this category. Ortiz had a breakthrough performance in 2002, going 15-9 with a 3.77 ERA and 162 strikeouts, all career bests. Ortiz might strike out even more batters this season now that he has better command of his pitches and more confidence. Don't be surprised if he accumulates between 180 and 190 Ks this season. Prepare to spend between $15-$20 for him in AL-only leagues and don't hesitate to draft him once the first 10 pitchers are selected.

Schmidt and Wood have been slowed by injuries in the past, but 2003 figures to be a big season for both if they can remain healthy. Both will likely assume the role of staff ace for their squads. This will mean more starts, more innings, and most likely more strikeouts for these power pitchers. Schmidt (196) was on the threshold of 200 Ks last season despite pitching in only 185 1/3 innings. He has a good chance of being the Giants' No. 1 starter this season. Taking on this task should bring him closer to 200 innings and allow him to go well over 200 strikeouts.

Wood showed that he was fully recovered from reconstructive elbow surgery last season by pitching 213 2/3 innings. The hefty workload resulted in 217 strikeouts. New manager Dusty Baker has rewarded Wood for his effort by naming him the opening day starter and staff ace. Wood might pitch a few more innings this season as the ace and could provide between 230 and 240 Ks. Don't hesitate to bid between $18-$23 for Schmidt and Wood.

In contrast, pitchers Pedro Astacio and A.J. Burnett are prime candidates to burn out this season. Burnett struck out 203 batters last season, but threw a lot of pitches and began to break down in the final months. He spent most of August on the disabled list, a sure sign that the 204 1/3 innings he threw was too much for his 25-year-old arm to handle. Burnett is healthy now, but remains a high injury risk because of his recent history. Don't bid more than $15 for his services.

Astacio (152 Ks) seems to be in even worse shape. He was diagnosed with a partially torn labrum in his pitching arm late in 2001. Rather than have surgery to repair the injury, he chose to rest his arm and the injury never healed. He started off strong in 2002 but faded in the second half of the season. The Mets are still concerned about his arm, which has still not healed and might eventually require surgery. Don't bid more than $5 for Astacio and hold off on selecting him until the end of a draft. He might have a hard time surpassing 100 strikeouts this season.

Relievers

Starters aren't the only pitchers that can be a source of saves. Middle relievers can make an impact in this category as well. Good middle relievers generally have a good WHIP and ERA but they don't always strike out a lot of batters. Middle relievers that do strike out batters provide an extra incentive and are better to use than some starters. The most desired middle reliever might be rookie Francisco Rodriguez. He only threw 5 2/3 innings in the 2002 regular season, but struck out 13 batters. His postseason performance increased his Fantasy value even more when he struck out 28 batters in 18 2/3 pressurized innings. Rodriguez will certainly generate a lot of interest this season. However, remember that he is still the closer in waiting and try not to bid more than $5 for his services.

Arthur Rhodes is another AL reliever that can be useful in the strikeout category. He accumulated 81 Ks in 69 2/3 innings last season. He will likely provide similar numbers this season and is worth a flier in AL-only leagues.

In the National League, the Cubs have a good duo of middle relievers in Joe Borowski and Juan Cruz. Cruz bounced between the bullpen and the starting rotation last season and also struck out 81 batters. He should produce similar numbers this season and is worth a flier in NL leagues even though he will be used mostly as a reliever. Borowski was quietly one of the best setup men last season and accumulated 97 Ks in 95 2/3 innings. He might very well post similar numbers this season so spending between $2-$4 for him in NL-only leagues is reasonable.

However, the best strikeout threat among NL-only middle relievers is Houston pitcher Octavio Dotel. He struck out 118 batters in 97 1/3 innings last season and should have very little trouble topping 100 Ks again this season. Don't hesitate to bid up to $8 for him in a 5x5 league.