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These are the best young pitchers in the American League who pitch in pitchers parks, which will help them compile stats this year.

As with the veterans, the depth is not what it is in the National League, but the quality here is excellent.

Justin Verlander (Tigers) - 24 years old. Fine rookie year: 17-9/ 3.63 ERA/ 6.0 K's and 2.90 BB's. His ERA was just 80% of the League ERA (LERA). Given his fine minor league numbers: 11-2/ 1.39 ERA/ 10.4 K's and 2.0 BB's, have to expect at least the same, and probably better. Looks like he's going to be a very good pitcher for a long time.

Felix Hernandez (Mariners) - he's an under .500 pitcher so far. Career stats are: 16-18/ 3.96 ERA (92% of LERA)/ 8.3 K's and 2.7 BB's. After pitching to a 2.67 ERA in 12 starts in 2005, his ERA ballooned to 4.52 in 31 starts last year. Never thought he would live up to all the hype he had at this time last year, but you know what, if he's there past the 4th or 5th rounds this year I'm taking him. Minor League record say he could be great: 30-10/ 2.59 ERA/ 10.7 K's and 3.7 BB's. Interesting to see how far he falls in drafts this year.

Jered Weaver (Angels) - great rookie season: 11-2/ 2.56 ERA (just 59% of LERA)/ 7.7 K's and 2.4 BB's in 19 starts. Is he really that good? Let's look at his minor league numbers: 13-5/ 3.00 ERA/ 11.0 K's and 2.1 BB's in 26 starts. No warning flags in that record. Tremendous K to BB ratio of 5.3 in the minors. Should have a solid year this year, and maybe a great one. Park will only help him.

Ervin Santana (Angels) - improved last year. His Percentage of the LERA dropped from 111% in 05 to 98%. He K'd 9.1 batters in the minors, but so far has averaged just 6.4 in the Majors. Just 24 years old, he should be able to move forward some more this year, and look for his K rate to rise also.

Brian Bannister (Royals) - think the Royals made a nice trade here. Bannister's minor league numbers are pretty good: 29-19/ 3.29 ERA/ 8.0 K's and 2.5 BB's in 71 starts. In 6 starts with the Mets he was 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA. He's a relatively high strikeout pitcher, with very good control. Sounds like a decent Fantasy pitcher to me.

Kei Igawa - (Yankees) - lefty import had fine numbers in Japan: 63-38/ 3.30 ERA/ 8.6 K's and 2.7 BB's. He comes anywhere close to those numbers and he's going to be a steal this year. Even if you inflate his numbers some, he'd still be pretty good. Add a run to his ERA, knock 1.5 K's off his total, and add .5 BB's, and you still have a very solid pitcher. Yankee Stadium should suit him fine, and he should get plenty of run support.

Joe Saunders (Angels) - was OK last year in 13 starts: 7-4/ 4.71 ERA/ 6.5 K's and 3.7 BB's. His minor league record is also OK: 38-23/ 3.47 ERA/ 6.4 K's and 2.7 BB's. If he gets a spot in the rotation, he should move forward some this year. Never going to be a star, but he can be an OK starter, and the park will only help him.

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