Kyle Lohse

2013

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2012

Lohse bounced back from a terrible 2010 to have the best season of his career. His BABIP plummeted and his strand rate moved to a more normal level, but that 1.168 WHIP was still one of the more inexplicable stats of 2011. There are plenty of reasons to think he won't repeat his numbers given his last season's low 5.3 K/9IP and .278 BABIP. Still, he'll be the No. 4 or 5 starter for St. Louis.

2011

Lohse will be the fifth starter for the Cardinals this season unless they find someone better. That shouldn't be too hard, as his 18-start stint gave him an ERA and WHIP that would have torched most fantasy teams. It can't all be blamed on Lohse, however, as a forearm injury kept him out of action for nearly three months and his first several starts after his reinstatement from the DL may have indicated he wasn't ready to pitch. That said, a healthy Lohse doesn't come recommended either.

2010

A surprise 15-game winner in 2008, Lohse never got right last season as forearm and groin injuries sent him to the DL twice. He's a hittable pitcher who rode his excellent walk rate to a career year in 2008, but returned to his normal levels when that walk rate jumped even a tiny bit. Depending on how things shake out this offseason, he could be the third or fourth pitcher in the St. Louis rotation in 2010.

2009

Where did that come from? Lohse was a pleasant surprise for the Cards last year, going 15-6 with a 3.78 ERA, and with a brand-spanking-new four-year contract with a no-trade clause, he should stay in the St. Louis rotation for awhile. Just note that he never had an ERA below 4.18 prior to last season, before you decide to add him to your own rotation.

2008

The Phillies, who went 9-4 in Lohse's 13 appearances, have contacted the right-hander's agent about bringing him back. He's durable and has a live arm in a soft market for starting pitchers, so there's likely to be interest. Lohse went 3-0 in 11 starts, his ERA was a bit high at 4.72, but he was able to get outs when he needed to and he finished the season, (combined Philadelphia and Cincinnati records) at 9-12 with two complete games.

2007

Reds GM Wayne Krivsky should be given a little credit for local knowledge on this one -- Lohse was much better after he came over in a trade for minor league prospect Zach Ward, bumping up his strikeout rate and lowering his hit rate. That said, even the new-and-improved Lohse is still pretty mediocre, a fourth starter at best. Break glass only in the case of emergency with Lohse.

2006

While Lohse rebounded from his ugly 5.68 ERA in 2004, there wasn't much in his 2005 season to build upon. While his K/BB rate improved slightly, his strikeout rates continued to drop and he raised questions about his composure with a late-season tirade in which he hurt his finger while punching a wall. Unless Lohse's strikeout rates return to his 2003 levels, he's not a good bet to return to his early promise.

2005

Everything was ugly about Lohse's 2004 season. His ERA was an eye-popping 5.34. His strikeouts were down and his walks were up from his 2003 breakout season. He had a poor first half and even worse second half to the season. While we think he's enough of a strikeout pitcher to rebound, there really are not too many signs to indicate a turnaround is a sure thing. He'll start the season with a job in the Minnesota rotation. If you see signs he's turned things around, jump to pick him up but don't risk too much.

2004

Lohse should rebound from a mediocre season as he continued to post a solid K:BB ratio, and found his way after a midseason slump. Lohse was having a fine season until an eight game stretch starting in July where he went 0-5 with a 10.95 ERA. Home runs allowed were his problem, with 11 allowed over that stretch. If he can keep the ball in the park, he should be able to repeat his 14 wins with a lower ERA.

2003

Lohse moved into the rotation after the Twins suffered injuries in their starting rotation and had a break-out season. He had a strong second half (3.04 ERA) and is the top candidate for the fifth starter job along with Johan Santana.