Jeremy Hellickson

2013

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2012

Hellickson turned in a solid rookie season as the Rays' No. 5 starter and was rewarded with the American League Rookie of the Year award. He finished the season with a 2.95 ERA, a 1.153 WHIP, and a 13-10 record. Hellickson doesn't have overpowering stuff but uses solid command to locate his low-90s fastball and also throws a plus-changeup and curve. While the ERA and WHIP were excellent, there were a few minor red flags to his award-winning season. His .223 BABIP suggests he was somewhat lucky and his 5.57 K/9IP and 3.43 BB/9IP aren't numbers you usually see coincide with a 2.95 ERA. This isn't to say he's not an extremely talented pitcher; just realize a sub-3.00 ERA likely isn't in the cards again. Look for him to open the season toward the end of the rotation for the Rays.

2011

Hellickson did nothing to tarnish his elite prospect status, dominating at Triple-A and carrying that success over to the majors. After pitching his way to a 2.45 ERA (1.177 WHIP) at Durham, he held a 3.47 ERA (1.101 WHIP) in 36.1 innings with the Rays. After the season ended, he was awarded Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year for 2010. There were many who thought Hellickson should have been called up sooner and used more with the big club given his success and their struggles in the rotation. The Rays resisted that urge and allowed him to gain confidence and experience which should pay dividends this year. Between the two levels he struck out over a batter per inning and held opposing hitters to a .238 average. Hellickson has three plus-pitches, with a killer changeup to use as his out-pitch. He relies on location and movement rather than power. One of the few prospects in baseball with legitimate No. 1 upside, the Rays made room for him in their rotation by trading Matt Garza to the Cubs in January. With a rotation spot of his own, Hellickson is an excellent sleeper and a candidate for Rookie of the Year honors.

2010

Hellickson was unhittable last season on his way to being named the Rays' minor league pitcher of the year. He started the year at Double-A Montgomery where a 2.38 ERA and a 0.971 WHIP earned him a promotion to Triple-A Durham. After the promotion he was even better, posting a 2.51 ERA, 0.802 WHIP, and 70 strikeouts in only 59.1 innings at Durham. Over his last four starts, he fanned at least nine batters in each game and his 4.55 K/BB ratio demonstrates his excellent command. Come spring training he'll give the Rays something to think about, but a glut of starting pitching (Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann, James Shields, David Price, Matt Garza) could land him back at Durham. Keep him on your radar, as he's one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball.

2009

That great fastball of Hellickson's proved a little hittable when he first moved to Double-A, but those numbers improved in August, when he made those necessary adjustments as the season drew to a close. Hellickson may start 2009 back at Double-A, but he's likely no more than two years away from the bigs.

2008

The Rays have been acknowledged as having perhaps the best pool of pitching prospects in the game, and Hellickson is certainly part of that group. He's got a great fastball that consistently hits 92-93 mph and an awfully good curve as well. He'll start 2008 at High-A Vero Beach, but he'll turn just 21 in April, so the Rays will not necessarily rush him. Hellickson's ETA at the big league level is likely 2010, so plan accordingly; he should be rostered in any serious dynasty league.

2007

Tampa Bay picked Hellickson in the fourth round in 2005 out of high school, but many thought he had first-round stuff. He put up nice numbers in short-season ball in 2005, holding hitters to a .193 average. He has a fastball that hits 94 mph regularly and a good curve. He's still at least two years away from the bigs, but Hellickson is one to watch in keeper leagues.