Ubaldo Jimenez

2013

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2012

Jimenez came to the Indians in a deadline deal with the team's playoff chances on life support and his up-and-down season (1.402 WHIP, 4.68 ERA, 8.6 K/9IP) continued on the shores of Lake Erie. Jimenez is signed to a very club-friendly contract for the next few years, and the good news here is that there wasn't much that changed in his skill set last year apart from a huge uptick on the number of hits he allowed. The strikeouts are still there and his walk rate remained nearly unchanged, and while the Indians' infield defense may not be of much help, it's hard to imagine him not reverting to the form he flashed in 2009. He'll be back as the Indians' ace and is a good bet to improve from last year's effort.

2011

With a little bit of help, Jimenez was able to turn a good season into a great one. He narrowly missed a 20-win campaign, finishing with Cy Young race numbers. While he did improve his strikeout rate (8.7 K/9IP) for the third consecutive season, the rest of his skills remained relatively stable. The "help" came in the form of a 5.1 percent HR/FB rate, .273 BABIP, and 76.5 percent strand rate. It's doubtful that Jimenez will be as fortunate in 2011 as he was in 2010, but with a solid groundball rate, electric fastball, and the ability to work deep into games, Jimenez should once again be an ace upon which fantasy owners can build their staff.

2010

At the end of April, Jimenez owners looked like they had wasted their money. He sported a 7.58 ERA with opposing batters getting on base about half of the time. After that, however, he turned it on, holding batters to .222 with an ERA just above three, but the real treat was his 198:85 K:BB ratio. Jimenez induces enough groundballs to be effective when his command wavers, keeping his home-run rate down in the process. He enters 2010 as the staff ace and if improvements to his walk rate (3.51 BB/9IP) continue, Jimenez has the tools to be a top-10 pitcher in the National League.

2009

His movement is almost too good, as he has trouble commanding his pitches, a bit like Justin Verlander at times. That leads to deep counts, walks, long innings and short starts. Even at that, he posted a sub-4.00 ERA with Coors Field as a home park, so there's reason to be excited. Look for a step forward this season, enough to make him a top-20 fantasy starter in the NL.

2008

Jimenez is perhaps the most talented pitcher in the Rockies' organization. He can reach 99 mph with his fastball and has a devastating slider to go along with a big breaking curveball. He made 15 starts at the big league level in 2007 and went 4-4 with a 4.28 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 82 innings. More strikeouts will come once he matures, and the biggest concern is control with Jimenez. He tends to get wild at times and walked 4.06 batters per nine innings, but it appears that he will start the year in the Colorado rotation.

2007

After struggling at Double-A to end 2005, Jimenez conquered it over the first half of 2006 and rode that success all the way to a September call-up. He stands a solid 6-4, 200 lbs., and with his stuff, projects as a top-of-the-rotation starter, though command issues have slowed his rise to the majors. With his Triple-A results being what they were (5.06 ERA in 13 starts), he needs another half season in the minors, but Jimenez should be part of the Colorado rotation by midsummer.

2006

Jimenez got back on track last year after suffering a stress fracture in his shoulder in 2004. He moved from Single-A to Double-A with a 92–94 mph fastball, big-league curveball, and a developing change-up. He projects as a top-of-the-rotation pitcher, but struggles with inconsistency and control. He clearly needs more time to hone his skills. Expect Jimenez to pick up at Double-A in 2006 and end the season at Triple-A.

2005

Jimenez has one of the top arms in Colorado's system. He's a power pitcher who demonstrated his accuracy last season before a shoulder injury put him out for the year. Just 20, Jimenez may need some time to adjust to Double-A hitters, but he's on the fast track to get a look in September.