We’ve already posted #1-20 (click here to view) and #21-40 (click here to view), so let’s wrap up our Top 60 starting pitcher rankings:

41. Hiroki Kuroda – New York Yankees
42. Jeremy Hellickson – Tampa Bay Rays
43. Cory Luebke – San Diego Padres
44. Ervin Santana – Los Angeles Angels
45. Ricky Romero – Toronto Blue Jays
46. Derek Holland – Texas Rangers
47. Wandy Rodriguez – Houston Astros
48. Ted Lilly – Los Angeles Dodgers
49. Doug Fister – Detroit Tigers
50. Francisco Liriano – Minnesota Twins
51. Gavin Floyd – Chicago White Sox
52. John Danks – Chicago White Sox
53. Mike Minor – Atlanta Braves
54. Gio Gonzalez – Washington Nationals
55. Jaime Garcia – St. Louis Cardinals
56. Ricky Nolasco – Florida Marlins
57. Chad Billingsley – Los Angeles Dodgers
58. Mike Leake – Cincinnati Reds
59. Johan Santana – New York Mets
60. Clay Buchholz – Boston Red Sox

Thoughts:

• Chris Carpenter has completely fallen off our Top 60 altogether.  That’s because of the complete unknown as to when he could return to the diamond.  With that in mind, he definitely doesn’t have more value than someone like Tim Hudson, who also has an obvious injury concerns and fell short of our rankings.  Carpenter has the potential to be a steal, if he can get healthy, so he is worth rolling the dice on.  Just know the risk and take him for your last bench spot and nothing more.
• Speaking of injured starting pitchers, you have to like what you’ve seen from Johan Santana thus far this spring.  In 13.1 IP he has posted a 3.38 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 8 K and 4 BB.  You can argue that he was on a downward trend prior to the injury, and missing the entire 2011 campaign makes him a major risk.  I would absolutely agree with that, but he’s proven that he can figure out ways to get the job done on the mound, even without the same electric stuff he once possessed.  We’ll have to see what type of innings limit he faces, if any, but as one of your last starting pitchers how can you really go wrong?  He has way too much upside to ignore.
• Forget about the poor numbers Jeremy Hellickson has had this spring.  The more important thing to look at is the luck he actually enjoyed in 2011.  Does anyone really expect him to replicate a .223 BABIP or 82.0% strand rate?  Sure, there is upside in the strikeout department, but that isn’t nearly enough.  Don’t over-reach to get him.  For more on Hellickson, click here.
• Francisco Liriano has been among the most impressive pitchers this spring.  At this point, that certainly isn’t a secret.  He has vaulted himself back into these rankings and could easily continue to rise.  Considering that you can still get him at a discount, he is well worth grabbing and seeing what can happen.

***** Order the Rotoprofessor 2012 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide, complete with updates from January through the start of the season, for just $6! To place your order click here. *****

Make sure to check out all of our 2012 rankings:

• Catchers
• First Basemen
• Second Basemen
• Third Basemen
• Shortstops
• Outfielders: 1-20 | 21-40
• Starting Pitchers: 1-20 | 21-40
• Closers