Roy Oswalt

2013

Subscribe now to see our 2013 outlook.

2012

Oswalt made just 23 starts in 2011 due to a back injury. When he was on the mound the results were mixed. He finished with decent ratios but his K/9IP dipped to 6.02, which is the lowest mark of his career. He was victimized by a .324 BABIP, but given the declining ratios we wouldn't expect much of a bounce back from Oswalt this season. He's still a solid option, but his days of being considered an ace are behind him and it now appears as though he will wait until the regular season begins before signing a contract.

2011

Oswalt came to the Phillies in a midseason trade and was dubbed the team's third ace as he joined a rotation led by Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels. Oswalt lived up to expectations, going 7-1 with a 1.74 ERA for the Phils. Amazingly, Oswalt posted the second-highest K/9 rate of his career in 2010, just one year after it looked like he was starting to head downhill. His 2.76 combined ERA was a little lucky as his 3.27 FIP indicates, but Oswalt proved he still has what it takes to get hitters out. Expect another solid season from the veteran in 2011.

2010

Oswalt had another rough first half, posting a 4.62 ERA and logging just one win in his first 11 starts. He redeemed himself in the second half, and if not for his final two starts (where he battled back pain), he would have posted a 3.60 ERA after the All-Star break. He doesn�t blow batters away anymore (6.85 K/9IP), but he has figured out how to consistently get major league hitters out. Health is increasingly becoming a concern for the once durable starter. He will come at a discount in 2010, which for the rate stats might be a good gamble. Just don't expect the wins to be there; the Astros figure to be in full-on rebuilding mode.

2009

Oswalt had a resurgent 2008, going 17-10 with a 3.54 ERA and 165 strikeouts in 208.2 innings. For the first time in three years, his K:BB ratio increased, and for the first time in four years, his strikeout rate was better than it was the previous season. He's still a horse, as he went over 200 innings for the fifth consecutive year and sixth time in the last seven seasons. The dominant strikeout pitcher from a few years ago is gone, but he proved he can still be one of the top pitchers in either league. With a better offense than in years past, Oswalt is more likely to get reliable run support, but he's more of a second-tier fantasy starter than an elite option at this stage of his career.

2008

2007 was another good season in terms of record and ERA for Oswalt. He went 14-7 with a 3.18 ERA, and was once again let down by a bullpen that struggled for a good portion of the season. His strikeout rate dipped for the third consecutive season, however, as he struck out just 154 batters in 212 innings. You know you'll get at least 35 starts, 200-plus innings, 15 wins and an above average ERA from Oswalt, but his declining strikeout rate will likely oust him from fantasy baseball's circle of elite pitchers.

2007

Another year, another dominant season for Oswalt. He went 15-8 with a National League-leading 2.98 ERA and struck out 166 batters compared to just 38 walks. The only thing that kept him from his third consecutive 20-win season was his offense and bullpen, which betrayed him on numerous accounts. He's one of the most electrifying pitchers in the league, and will be a top five pitcher in the NL.

2006

He throws a lot of innings without racking up big pitch counts, which helps keeps him safe from overwork injuries. His strikeout rate is slipping a little, which looks more like variance than a decline. He wins the NL Cy Young Award this year.

2005

The first half of Oswalt's 2004 season was subpar, as he went just 8-7 with a respectable 3.65 ERA. The lanky right-hander dominated in the second half, however, recording a 3.30 ERA with a 12-3 mark and finished in the Cy Young chase. Oswalt possesses a nasty 69 mph curveball, but the main reason for his success was a newfound confidence in his change-up. With three out pitches, Oswalt should continue to shine and is one of the game's brightest pitching stars.

2004

Three trips to the DL with a groin injury ruined a number of fantasy seasons for Oswalt's owners. As soon as the season was over, Oswalt underwent surgery to take care of the problem once and for all. He's expected to be back at full strength come spring training. Pay attention to early spring training reports on Oswalt's health, and don't be shy in pulling the trigger on him come Draft Day.

2003

Our only concern about Oswalt is the jump in workload between his 2001 rookie season (172+ IP between Triple-A and the Majors) and last year (233 IP). Oswalt admitted that he was "out of gas" in his last two starts, as he tried to win his 20th game of the year. If he doesn't crumble under the workload, he'll remain one of the best starters in the NL.