Blake Beavan

Beavan is your garden variety pitch-to-contact hurler who relies on control, defense and luck. He has outstanding control - only two pitchers walked fewer per nine innings (min. 150 IP). However, he can't buy a strikeout - only one pitcher struck out fewer per nine innings - which leaves Beavan with little margin for error. If he doesn't have good command in the zone, he's liable to get pounded, as his 66 extra-base hits allowed in 152.1 innings attest. He had improved results after a midseason trip to Triple-A (5.92 ERA vs. 3.40), but he was largely the same pitcher. Beavan will compete for a back-end spot in the rotation in spring, but if he lands the job it likely will be by default.

Beavan, whose 1.39 BB/9IP ranked fifth in baseball last season, joined the Mariners rotation after another control artist, Doug Fister, was traded at the deadline. A 6-foot-7 right-hander, Beavan lives on pinpoint control as he's apparently allergic to strikeouts – his 3.90 K/9IP ranked third lowest in the majors last season. As is the case with most pitch-to-contact hurlers, though, if Beavan doesn't have good command in the zone, he's liable to get roped. In his 15 starts last season, he gave up 13 home runs. Beavan will compete for a back-of-the-rotation job for the Mariners in spring training, but don't expect the second coming of Fister. While Beavan has better velocity and just as good control, his more than two fewer strikeouts and nearly two more hits per nine innings (with virtually the same BABIP) make him a (very) poor man's Fister.

One of the prospects in the Cliff Lee deal, Beavan came to the Seattle organization last season after recording a 2.78 ERA and a 5.6:1 K:BB ratio in 17 starts for Double-A Frisco. Things didn't go as well in the Mariners organization as he combined for 6.02 ERA in 10 starts across Triple-A and Double-A. His K:BB ratio remained strong, however, striking out 33 and walking nine. A 6-foot-7 right-hander, Beavan pitches with good velocity, but he's not a strikeout pitcher - his K/9IP last season was 5.4 across his three stops. He makes his money with his control. Last season he walked just 21 in 168.1 innings for a 1.12 BB/9IP. The Rangers pushed him aggressively, but the Mariners likely will take their time.

Beavan made his pro debut in 2008 after being selected in the first round as a high-schooler in the 2007 draft. He showed good control (20 walks in 121.2 innings) but didn't post the strikeout totals (73) that his 6'7" frame would suggest is possible. He showed progress as the season waned, racking up 26 strikeouts over 30 innings in August, but he'll need to stay healthy and pitch effectively at the higher levels before we can start to project his future.

Beavan, Texas' first-round pick in the June draft, signed late and didn't pitch professionally as a result. He's a young, high school flamethrower with some mechnical questions so his career could head off in many different directions depending on his health over the next 3-4 years.