Nick Masset

2013

There was no outlook written for Nick Masset.

2012

At times Masset looks like a closer-worthy reliever, but then he has a few high-profile blowups that prevent him from reaching the elite level. He lost two strikeouts per nine innings last season, and his walk rate crept closer to nearly 4.00 BB/9IP. The Reds brought in Sean Marshall from the Cubs and then signed Ryan Madson as a free agent in the offseason, ensuring that Masset won't close.

2011

Masset has worked himself into the Reds' top setup role, or at least he had before Aroldis Chapman got the late-season callup. Since coming over to the Reds in the Ken Griffey Jr. trade, Masset has raised his strikeout rate each season, going from 5.7 batters per nine innings in 2008 to 10.0 last season. Chapman rightly is considered the next in line for the Reds to close, but don't discount the possibility that Dusty Baker might instead turn to Masset in the event that Francisco Cordero loses the job.

2010

Masset was a pleasant surprise for the Reds, taking over the top setup duties during the season after initially failing to win the fifth starter's job out of spring training. His strikeout rate spiked nearly two batter per nine innings over his 2008 rate (8.29 K/9IP compared to 6.45), while he lowered his walk rate in a similar fashion. Should Francisco Cordero go down with an injury, Masset would be first in line to collect any save chances.

2009

Masset's 2.08 ERA after joining the Reds is a bit of a mirage, though you could say that about nearly any 17-inning sample. But he's not a strikeout artist, and he's averaged 4.5 BB/9IP over his major league career. Even with a better than 2-to-1 G/F, it's worth noting that when he does get the ball up, bad things happen - he allowed three homers with the Reds in just 17.1 innings.

2008

Masset struggled in a relief role with the White Sox, posting a 7.09 ERA and a 1.983 WHIP, before getting sent back to Triple-A in July. He's had some control issues in the past but began to work those out when he joined the rotation at Triple-A. After last year's implosion it's hard to imagine the White Sox considering him for a relief role but that's probably his quickest path to the bigs. If he remains a starter he's ticketed for Triple-A unless he lights it up in the spring.

2007

Masset saw limited time in Texas in 2006, appearing in just eight games. He split the rest of the season between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he appeared as both a starter and reliever. There's not much here to distinguish him from your typical bullpen fodder arm, even after his trade to the White Sox in the Brandon McCarthy/John Danks deal.