Dustin Nippert

Nippert emerged as a rotation candidate for spring training following a few decent starts down the stretch last year. He's pitched decent in the Dominican Winter League, fanning 33 hitters in 33.2 innings and allowing just one home run. There's not a ton to like here, but the standard is pretty low in Texas.

Nippert spent time between Triple-A Tucson and the majors for the second straight season and the result were mixed, though he was used exclusively in a bullpen role and will likely stay on that course so long as he's in the Arizona organization. He'll be a part of the competition for a long-relief role this spring, but don't expect anything more than a few spot starts if injuries press the need while a useful late-inning set-up role doesn't appear to be in the cards either.

Tall righty who was expected to make an impact last year; he was hammered in two midseason starts and never heard from again. His hit rate was way out of line given his other numbers at Triple-A Tucson, so there's reason to believe he can be better this year. Additions to D'backs' staff squeeze him, so look for him in July, rather than April.

Nippert made a resounding recovery from Tommy John surgery last year. He was arguably the best pitcher in the Double-A Southern League and then turned in a nice three-start cup of coffee for the parent club in September. Nippert will be given every chance to nail down a role in the major league rotation in the spring. It's tough to fully endorse a rookie pitcher in Arizona's ballpark, and after all, Nippert has thrown barely 250 professional innings in his career (less than 15 above Double-A). He could have a tough year if he sticks with the D-Backs for most of 2006, but in keeper leagues, you've got to hang on to Nippert because he's got huge upside.

Nippert underwent Tommy John surgery in July 2004, so he won't be pitching again until mid-summer at the earliest, and the D-Backs will certainly treat him with kid gloves. He won't be a roto factor this year, but he easily could be in 2006, so don't vote him off the island completely.

Nippert had a great half-season in high Single-A in 2003, especially impressive when you discover that he had to take two months off in midseason due to a benign tumor in his shoulder that required surgery. He'll start 2004 at Double-A El Paso, and if he stands tall there, could be in Arizona by mid-2005.