Chris Young

2013

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2012

Young, who only pitched 20 innings in 2010 because of injuries, signed a one-year deal with the Mets last January. Young made two solid starts and then was shut down with biceps tendinitis for two weeks. He then made two more starts, before getting shut down and ultimately undergoing surgery to repair an anterior capsule tear in his throwing shoulder. This is the same injury Johan Santana is repairing from and there is a good chance that Young won't be able to pitch in 2012. .

2011

Young only pitched 20 innings in 2010 because of, you guessed it, injuries. For those not familiar with Young, here's some insight: he's always injured. The last time he started more than 20 games was 2007, when he posted a 3.12 ERA and 1.098 WHIP. As a result of the injuries his velocity was down considerably in 2010. It's almost impossible to say what Young is capable of at this point, but what we do know is that when he was healthy he pitched much better at home, had marginal control and was always a flyball pitcher who had issues with the long ball. The Padres declined to pick up his option, leaving him free to sign elsewhere. Unless he signs with a team that has a spacious park, he's likely not worth your time.

2010

There was no "good Chris Young" last year, as the Diamondbacks' center fielder tanked and this one walked nearly as many batters as he struck out before shoulder inflammation ended his season. Surgery to shave the labrum was deemed a success, and he's expected to be ready to go in spring training. As an extreme flyball pitcher, his value will plummet if the Padres deal him, as they should, so beware.

2009

Much was expected from Young last year, but a horrific line drive to the face off the bat of MVP Albert Pujols shelved him for a third of the season, and he missed another three weeks in August with a strained right forearm. When healthy, his strikeout rate was below previous levels and his walk rate was a little high as he could never get in a real groove. When healthy, Young has the potential to anchor a fantasy staff, but even with the fluke blow to the face aside, Young's durability must be questioned.

2008

If not for a July 24 oblique strain that landed him on the DL, Young might have bested teammate Jake Peavy for the 2007 NL Cy Young Award. Prior to that date, Young was 9-3 with a league-leading 1.85 ERA. He wasn't the same the rest of the way, finishing with a 9-8 mark and a 3.12 ERA. Young is one of the NL's best pitchers and could be drafted at a discount, given his disappointing finish to the 2007 season. The 28-year-old may be at his physical peak. He strikes out nearly a batter per inning and allows so few hits that his relatively high walk totals don't hurt him very much. Young has the talent to win 20 games and a Cy Young Award, and he's even better on the road than at pitcher-friendly Petco Park.

2007

Young continued his emergence as a front-line starter in 2006 and proved that his success isn’t a creation of a pitcher-friendly home ballpark. He actually fares better on the road, where he’s won 24 straight decisions, one shy of the major league record. Young is not the fastest thrower in the game, but he has good control and deceives batters with his 6'10 frame. He and Jake Peavy will be counted upon to anchor the Padres' rotation again in 2007.

2006

Young complained of arm fatigue around the All-Star break, which contributed to a 10.18 ERA for the month of July, but he should be more durable with a full season under his belt. There's a lot to like given his strikeout rate.

2005

Young managed to turn his threat of pursuing an NBA career into a three-year, $1.5 million contract with Texas. He displayed a nice K/IP ratio at all three stops in 2004, including his brief time in Texas, which bodes well for the future. He has been traded in the past for the likes of Matt Herges and Einar Diaz, which gives an idea of his value. He's expected to be a frontrunner for a rotation spot in 2005.

2004

Young advanced to Double-A in 2003, and his fastball picked up some extra mph. He's rapidly making Pittsburgh look foolish for trading him to get a brief taste of Matt Herges -- if he continues to develop, Young could make his major league debut in the second half.