Chad Qualls

2013

There was no outlook written for Chad Qualls.

2012

At one time a closer for the Diamondbacks, Qualls has found minimal success since joining the Padres. 2011 saw his K/9 drop by more than two full points and his K/BB rate was down to 2.15. Obviously, Petco Park helped keep his HR/9 down, but as a ground ball specialist, an 11.3% HR/FB isn't all that impressive. Now Qualls moves on to the Phillies in 2012 where he will compete for a relief spot this spring. Unfortunately for him, Citizens' Bank Ball Park caters to the power hitters and Qualls' penchant for giving up the home run will certainly damage his chances of being an effective contributor.

2011

Following five seasons as a dominant reliever, Qualls imploded for the Diamondbacks as their closer last season. He had a 8.29 ERA with a 2.000 WHIP over 21 innings before being traded to the Rays. After some initial success, Qualls was torched yet again and found little success with his new team. He'll likely catch on with a team in some type of middle-relief role and will look to capture the magic he had before last season, when he was able to induce plenty of groundball outs and miss enough bats to be a good setup man.

2010

Qualls dislocated his knee cap in August, ending a successful season in which he was on track to hold the team's closer role from start to finish. Even though his strikeout rate dipped slightly to 7.79 K/9IP, Qualls' command was outstanding (1.21 BB/9IP) and he converted 24 of his 29 save opportunities. Qualls had made 75 or more appearances in each of the previous four seasons before the knee injury, so durability shouldn't be a major concern going forward. The D-Backs expect him to be healthy for the start of spring training, but Qualls will have Juan Gutierrez waiting in the wings if his recovery takes longer than expected or if he regresses.

2009

After converting seven consecutive save opportunities in September, Qualls enters spring training as the likely D-Backs' closer. While it's far from a done deal, he has the leg up over Tony Pena and Jon Rauch for the closer's role after he finished the season with the job following Brandon Lyon's struggles. Qualls had a 71:18 K:BB ratio in his first season with Arizona, while holding opponents to a .224 average. Considering his inexperience working the ninth inning, carefully consider the appropriate handcuffs to lock down the saves from the Arizona bullpen, if you decide to take the plunge with Qualls on draft day.

2008

Qualls led the Astros with 79 appearances, and served as the primary set-up man to both Brad Lidge and Dan Wheeler. He still gave up too many homers, surrendering 10 in 82.2 innings. With Lidge now in Philadelphia, he'll be given a shot to close this year, but it's no guarantee the job is his. If he wins the job, he'll have value as long as he's converting saves.

2007

Qualls made 81 appearances out of Phil Garner's bullpen, going 7-3 with a 3.76 ERA. He gave up 10 homers in just 88.2 innings, which was a common problem for many Houston pitchers in 2006. He'll be one of the setup man counted on most once again by the Astros this season.

2006

The former starting prospect was reinvented as groundball machine out of the bullpen, and functioned as a lefty-getter in a pen with no effective southpaws. He has minimal fantasy value, since he's behind Dan Wheeler if anything happens to Brad Lidge, and he's not a closer type, anyway.

2005

Qualls, one of the Astros' brightest pitching prospects, was utilized in a bullpen role after being called up from Triple-A New Orleans in July 2004. Qualls found some success, posting a 3.55 ERA with a 3/1 K/BB ratio. Qualls will likely find himself in the bullpen at season's start and could work himself into a set-up role if he continues to build on his successful 2004 campaign.

2004

Qualls spent a second consecutive season at Double-A Round Rock, after being over-promoted by the Astros in 2002 due to their lack of a high Single-A affiliate that year. His control has long been fairly spotty, but he reached a new level over the second half of the season, lending hope that he's ready for Triple-A New Orleans in 2004. Qualls could be in the starting rotation by 2005.

2003

Qualls earned the right to be one of Astros top five pitching prospects by leading the Texas league in strikeouts (142) in 2002. Unfortunately, the 2000 second round pick also finished second in losses (13), and walks (67) while showing durability by pitching 163 innings for Double-A Round Rock. He combines a low-90’s sinking fastball with a hard slider, but needs to use his change-up more. Control is an issue as his hard stuff has good movement that he’s been unable to master, and the mechanics have not been consistent. Because of this, and the fact he’s yet to fully develop or utilize an off-speed pitch, his future could be in the major league bullpen. 2003 should find him back in Round Rock learning some control, and attempting to further the development of a change-up. The 24-year-old could find himself in the majors as soon as this is achieved.