Chris Schroder

Unlike in 2006, Schroder found a way to keep the ball in the park last season and greatly improved his control, partially the result of offseason work to tighten his slider and keep batters from sitting on his changeup. With three quality pitches, Schroder has emerged as a very nice bullpen arm for the Nationals, and while he won't have a lot of fantasy value without a closer's tag attached to his name, he does have the strikeout rate to potentially succeed in the role should he get a chance at it.

Schroder found another gear at Triple-A in 2006, striking out 60 batters in 47.1 innings to earn his first promotion to the majors leagues. He maintained his great strikeout rate with Washington, but seven home runs allowed in 28.1 IP torpedoed his ERA. Home runs have been a problem for him in the past, so the Nationals may not be able to rely on him for regular middle relief innings, but his strikeout ability will probably ensure that he gets another chance.