Ryan Madson

2013

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2012

Madson opened last year with the Phillies front office publicly questioning whether he was capable of closing out games in the majors. By the end of the season, Madson was viewed as one of the more dominant closers in the game. His ratios are excellent and he sports one of the best change-ups in the game. The Phillies opted to go in another direction at closer by signing Jonathan Papelbon, leaving Madson to look for a new club. Madson signed late in the offseason with the Reds, getting just a one-year deal from them as the only team with a vacancy at the closer position. Expect continued dominance from Madson there. He's one of the safer options to draft as your closer.

2011

Madson began last season as the Phillies' closer when Brad Lidge was forced to begin the year on the disabled list. Madson picked up five saves before breaking his toe when he foolishly kicked a chair after a poor outing. When he came back around the All-Star break, manager Charlie Manuel leaned heavily on Madson, who settled back into his eighth-inning setup gig. Madson is next in line for saves in Philly and he has the stuff to be successful in that role. Madson makes a good target at the end of drafts given Lidge's recent injury history, but he also has the potential to be an excellent keeper with Lidge likely headed for free agency after the 2011 season.

2010

Madson managed to rack up 10 saves last season while filling in at closer for Brad Lidge when Lidge was on the disabled list and later when Lidge was removed from sole possession of the closer's job. Madson also managed to blow six saves and attributed most of his problems to learning to pitch in a new role along with some bad luck. Madson has the stuff to close games as evidenced by his solid strikeout rate and his good command. He'll return as Brad Lidge's setup man this season and could assume the closer's role if Lidge struggles again this season.

2009

Madson concluded the 2008 season going 4-2 with a 3.05 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 67 strikeouts in 82.2 innings of relief. His 2008 numbers were nearly identical to those that he posted in 2007, except with a heavier workload. Madson has molded himself into a very reliable middle reliever and will be utilized in exactly the same role in 2009. He’s worth looking at if your league counts holds as a statistic, although he should not be considered otherwise.

2008

A shoulder strain ended Madson's 2007 season early, in his return from a trial run as a starter in 2006. Before that switch, he was a quality set-up man and the Phillies are hopeful that Madson will be able to make the transition back into his old role and solidify one of their inconsistent weakness from last season.

2007

Madson worked as a swingman for Philly and was basically throwing batting practice for much of the season, especially at home, where he had a 7.07 ERA. His stuff is good enough to make him a fifth or sixth pitcher on a staff, but he doesn't have a knockout pitch or the consistency to move beyond that. A return to the bullpen could help his numbers.

2006

Although a starter in the minors, Madson broke into the majors as a reliever. The role agreed with him, and by the end of the year, he was setting up Billy Wagner. He faded in September, posting an 8.31 ERA, but that's not surprising for a young pitcher who had worked the third most games in the league (78). He's likely to move into the rotation in 2006, where he has precious little major league experience.

2005

Madson had a fine rookie year out of the Philadelphia bullpen, leading NL rookies with his nine wins. The tall right-hander had marched methodically through their farm system, not lighting up radar guns but staying healthy and compiling good strikeout/walk ratios. The Phillies would like to keep him in the bullpen, but may have their hand forced if they can't plug holes caused by free agent defections. Madson isn't ready to throw 200 innings, though.

2004

Madson was the leading candidate to be the Phils' fifth starter before their offseason moves, despite struggling in his final month at Triple-A Scranton. In moving up to Scranton, he pretty much matched his 2002 numbers at Double-A Reading, where he was the Eastern League's Most Valuable Pitcher.

2003

Madson, 22, was Class AA Reading's most effective starter with a 16-4 record and 3.20 ERA in 26 starts. The deeper numbers look good, too, with just 150 hits in 171.1 innings and a strong 132/53 K/BB ratio. He'll start the 2003 season at Class AAA Scranton with a potential call-up late.