Jason Tyner

2013

There was no outlook written for Jason Tyner.

2008

Tyner will try to win a job as a reserve outfielder after he was let go by the Twins. He has no power (he hit his first home run last season in 1,220 career at-bats) but his speed on the basepaths makes him valuable even as a reserve for fantasy purposes. His lack of power used to be offset by a good eye at the plate, but his walk rate has seen a steady decline the last three years. Tyner can be valuable as a reserve since he can play all three outfield positions, but last season he showed he can't hit enough to win a starting job. He won't stay in the majors if his ability to get on base continues to decline.

2007

Tyner will be in the mix for playing time in left field and DH with the Twins after re-establishing himself as a major league player last season. He famously has no power (no career home runs) but has a good eye at the plate and outstanding speed. Even as a reserve outfielder he can help a fantasy team with steals.

2006

Tyner famously made it all the way from high school to the major leagues without ever hitting a home run, but has enough speed and a decent enough eye at the plate to keep a job at Triple-A. He could get a shot at a reserve role with the Twins if injuries strike, but the lack of power will ultimately keep him from any regular playing time. He'll likely spend all season at Triple-A Rochester.

2005

Tyner, a speedy pull hitter and one-time prospect of the Devil Rays, has spent time with six teams in the last two years. Most recently he was playing for the Indians' Triple-A team in Buffalo before signing a minor league contract with Minnesota in November. There's not much hope of Tyner ever re-establishing himself as a starter in the big leagues, especially with Minnesota's deep outfield talent.

2004

After a 2002 stint with the Rays that was so disastrous it made the Titanic look like The Love Boat, Tyner responded with a respectable 2003 stint in the bigs, given his skill set. We'll see if the Rangers think his on-base skills have improved enough to warrant giving him a fourth/fifth outfielder role.

2003

Tyner opened 2002 as the Devil Rays' regular left fielder, and he was a total bust, hitting only .214 in 44 games (no homers, seven steals, and only seven walks in 175 PA for an awful OPS of .487). He did redeem himself a little at Triple-A Durham, hitting .291 in 88 games (no homers, 20 steals, and 34 walks, by far the best walk rate of his pro career). He may have a shot – and a longshot at that – of a reserve outfield role with the Devil Rays in 2003. If Tyner has really figured it out and successfully recasts himself as an on-base machine (such as consistently posting a .400+ OBA, because he has no power; he's never hit a home run in his pro or high school career), he might be able to help a major league club.