Tyler Clippard

2013

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2012

Clippard heads in 2012 as the Nationals' top setup man after a terrific 2011. His strikeout rate dropped from 2010 despite a higher swinging strike percentage, but more importantly he lowered his walk rate from 4.06 BB/9IP in 2010 to 2.60 in 2011. Don’t expect another season with an ERA below 2.00, as he was lucky in stranding runners (95 percent), and he is an extreme flyball pitcher (60 percent rate). His devastating change-up gives him a reverse platoon split, but his workload over the last two seasons should be cause for concern.

2011

To say that Clippard had a good fantasy season would be an understatement: 11 wins and triple-digit strikeouts for a reliever who probably lasted until the endgame of most drafts and auctions makes for a massive ROI. The increase in his workload is cause for a little concern, but barring injury his fastball/changeup/slider arsenal should keep him among the elite setup men in the game. Depending on how cautious the Nationals want to be in throwing Drew Storen into the ninth-inning fire, Clippard could even work his way into the closer picture. Those strikeouts and potential saves won't come as cheaply in 2011, however.

2010

The Nationals moved Clippard to the bullpen full-time in 2009 and he blossomed, dominating Triple-A before getting called up in June and looking very good as a multi-inning reliever. Long relief seems like a very low-leverage spot for a pitcher with Clippard's ability to miss bats, but given the uncertainty in the Nats' rotation it might be the most useful role they can give him, at least in the short term. He's not likely to be the second coming of Mike Marshall, but the innings and strikeouts could make him more valuable in fantasy terms than your average middle man.

2009

Clippard's control wasn't really good enough for Triple-A, much less the majors, but his strikeout rate move back towards the 9.0 K/9IP mark that he maintained and lower levels and he'll still just be 24 this season. He relies far more on deception than raw stuff, so an adjustment period wasn't a shock, but it's time for him to consolidate what he's learned and carve out a regular spot in the Nationals' rotation.

2008

With a plethora of young, right-handed starters ahead of him on their organizational depth chart, the Yankees shipped Clippard to Washington for reliever Jonathan Albaladejo during the winter meetings in December. Given that he was able to make his major-league debut as a 22-year-old -- starting six games for the Yankees nonetheless -- he should be a good fit in his new home as a No. 3 or No. 4 starter.

2007

Regarded as the next major-league ready starter behind top-prospect Philip Hughes, Clippard will likely spend the 2007 season at Triple-A after a strong 2006 campaign at Double-A Trenton. He'll turn 22 before spring training and should continue to open some eyes for owners in minor league drafts after racking up 175 strikeouts in 28 starts last season. In his four-pitch repertoire, Clippard uses a plus-curveball and a good change-up to keep hitters off balance, while maintaining good control, with 2.98 walks per nine innings.

2006

Clippard had a nice year at Single-A Tampa in 2005 and has emerged as the Yankees' second-best pitching prospect behind Philip Hughes. The 169/34 K/BB ratio is impressive, and while Clippard doesn't have the raw stuff that Hughes does, he has a good feel for what he's doing on the mound. He's worth a look late in minor league drafts.