Colby Lewis

2013

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2012

Lewis enjoyed another fine season, though a spike in home runs allowed raised his ERA over half a run from his 2010 season despite similar peripherals. He posted ERAs of 4.90 or greater in four of the six months, though his post-break peripherals (73:23 K:BB, 80 hits allowed and just 12 homers in 87.1 innings) were a marked improvement over his first-half numbers despite a similar ERA. He allowed a whopping 22 homers in just 92.2 innings pitching at home (compared to just seven allowed in 87 innings at home the year prior). His true value lies somewhere between his past two seasons, which should result in 200 innings, 180 strikeouts, and an ERA around 4.00.

2011

Lewis' return from a few seasons in Japan was a resounding success, despite a poor 12-13 record. He fanned 196 batters in 201 innings, and although his post All-Star break ERA (4.18) was nearly a full run higher than his pre-break numbers, his peripherals remained strong (91:27 K:BB ratio in 90.1 innings) and he's a good bet to be one of the better starters in the AL again in 2011. Go the extra buck or two in leagues that reward strikeouts.

2010

Lewis is headed back to MLB after going 26-17 with a 2.82 ERA in 55 games the last two seasons for the Hiroshima Carp with an impressive 369:46 K:BB ratio in 354.1 innings. He could get a shot to win a spot in a major league rotation given his success in Japan.

2008

Lewis pitched well enough at Triple-A Sacramento to get a look in the majors, but didn't pitch well enough once promoted to convince the A's he could contribute in 2008. Claimed, and later released, by the Royals this winter and Lewis now plans to play in Japan in 2008.

2006

Lewis missed all of last season recovering from rotator cuff surgery. He started throwing in the Instructional League and could make some appearances this spring if he doesn't suffer any setbacks. A rehab assignment at Triple-A will be necessary before the Tigers consider bringing Lewis to the majors.

2005

Lewis, who was claimed off waivers by the Tigers in October, is expected to miss the first half of the 2005 season while recovering from rotator cuff surgery. He has been very successful at the minor league level, but struggled in his major league stint with Texas in 2004. When he does return from his injury, Lewis will probably be sent to Triple-A Toledo and has little chance of making it back to the majors this year.

2004

Another young Texas arm, another disappointing season. It's the same pattern for Lewis as it is with the Rangers' other young pitchers, too: a terrible K:BB rate, to the point where there's no choice but to send them back to Triple-A for a few starts, only to see the pattern repeat itself upon pitching in the bigs again. Lewis went 4-0 in September and lowered his season ERA to 7.30, by nearly a full run. Whether that's a sign for hope or an indication of how futile his season had been prior to September is left up to the reader to decide.

2003

Lewis was jerked between the Triple-A rotation and major league bullpen before finally getting regular work as a starter for Texas in September. Not surprisingly, he struggled with his control in the big leagues and was sent to winter ball to pitch 30 innings to refine his control a bit. Was it a success? Lewis walked 11 hitters in 22.2 innings before being shut down for good with fatigue.