Paul Maholm

2013

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2012

Maholm was unlucky in 2011. Pittsburgh's offense seemed to go on strike whenever the lefty pitcher took the mound. He allowed three runs or fewer in 19-of-26 starts but went just 6-14 for the Bucs. Maholm actually flirted with a sub-3.00 ERA before he surrendered 17 earned runs in 22.2 innings in his last four starts. The team shut him down in mid-August with shoulder pain and he sat out the rest of the season. While Maholm generates groundballs, he's has always been more of an innings-eater than a star performer since he has a mediocre strikeout rate (5.4 K/9IP last season), but last year his groundball rate fell to career low (50 percent of batted balls). Add in the fact that he might not be 100 percent in 2012 and his immediate future appears cloudy at best. Still, he could win a spot in the Cubs rotation this spring if healthy after signing with Chicago.

2011

By nearly every metric, Maholm's numbers continued down a slippery slope in 2010. His 5.0 K/9IP and 3.0 BB/9IP both represent downturns that have helped to see his earned run average worsen in each of the last three seasons (3.71 to 4.44 to 5.10), respectively. Maholm's name was once again bantered around in trade talks during the winter meetings in December. With his salary approaching the $6 million mark, the Pirates might want to move the 28-year-old innings eater. He doesn't strike out many batters -- 102 in 185.1 innings last year -- but his wins total could see a bump on a team that loses fewer than 105 games per season. Maholm will serve as the Bucs' No. 2 or 3 starter to begin the 2011 campaign.

2010

Maholm tore through spring training last year and looked poised to break out. He got off to a 3-0 April start, but dealt with a knee injury that contributed to his poor performance the rest of the way. Maholm's final numbers -- a 4.44 ERA, 1.443 WHIP and a 119:60 K:BB ratio -- weren't anything special, but not too far off from what fantasy owners might expect again in 2010. At 27, he likely has a career year still ahead of him, but predicting when it may come is a risky business. As with all Pirates making more than $1 million per season, there's a chance the team moves him. If he goes to a contender, then his fantasy value obviously rises.

2009

Maholm stepped up in a Pittsburgh starting rotation that saw the more highly touted Ian Snell and Tom Gorzelanny fall flat on their faces. Maholm gave the Bucs an honest outing every fifth day, starting 31 games while compiling 206.1 innings and a 3.71 ERA. He actually led the team in wins despite finishing with just nine victories. Some might worry that Maholm has thrown too many innings the last three years -- he has 560 IP -- at the still youthful age of 26, but he features a consistent delivery with little strain on his arm. From a fantasy perspective, all Maholm really offers is a decent earned run average, as his wins and K:BB ratio 139:63 won't help win many league titles. Still, fantasy owners could do worse than having Maholm as a depth starter on their fantasy squads, and he's a decent option in deeper leagues.

2008

If you pick Maholm up in your fantasy draft, keep in mind that he pitches much better at home than on the road. His earned run average is nearly two runs better at PNC Park (3.68) than on the road (5.65). He's thought of as a No. 3 starter but there's still a chance that he could turn out to be more than that. He doesn't turn 26 until June and left-handers typically develop later than righties. Maholm recovered from losing nine of his first 11 decisions to post a 10-15 record by season's end. He doesn't strike out a ton of batters but features a decent K:BB ratio (105:49). If the Pirates decide to move Maholm -- he's on the cusp as an untouchable -- his numbers could improve nicely on a team with a productive offense.

2007

The 2006 season proved to be a campaign of unrealistic expectations for Maholm. The 24-year-old former first-round draft posted a 2.16 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in six late-season starts for the Pirates in 2005. The reality of the situation, however, was that Maholm had put in more innings at the major-league level (41.1) than at Triple-A (35.2). Not only that, but he'd missed much of the 2004 season with a broken orbital bone. In other words, 2006 was more of a learning process than anything else. As a result, he should post better numbers in 2007. His control will play a key role in his success. Prior to the All-Star game Maholm compiled an awful 1.78 WHIP but after the break he lowered the ratio to a more manageable level (1.37).

2006

Maholm made his major league debut in 2005, starting six games. He impressed with his poise and command, posting a 3-1 record with a 2.18 ERA in 41 1/3 innings. Maholm missed much of the 2004 season after getting hit by a line drive in the face, suffering a broken nose and a fractured orbital bone. He showed no ill-effects from the injury last year, going 7-3 at the Double-A and Triple-A levels before his recall. The young lefty actually has more innings at the major league level (41 1/3) than at Triple-A (35 2/3). He's one of Pittsburgh's brightest prospects, and the team is counting on him to take a regular turn in the starting rotation. It will be interesting to see how National League hitters react to him the second time around. It might be wise to temper preseason-hyped expectations for Maholm.

2005

Maholm, who the Pirates made the eighth overall pick in the 2003 draft, suffered a frightening injury last May when he was struck in the face by a line drive while pitching for High Single-A Lynchburg. The young lefty should be back on track this season and has a chance to move up the organizational ladder fairly quickly where he figures to ride in on one of the next waves of young arms looking to make a mark in the bigs.

2004

Maholm, whom the Bucs made the eighth overall pick in the 2003 draft, stepped right in and turned in a solid performance in his debut as a pro. In 34.1 innings at Class A Williamsport, the lefty posted a 1.83 ERA and struck out 32 batters. Hitters also hit just a .197 batting average against Maholm. He has a chance to move up the ladder fairly quickly after completing a successful career at Mississippi State.

2003