Kevin Slowey

2013

There was no outlook written for Kevin Slowey.

2012

Slowey enters 2012 with a chance to be in the Cleveland rotation after he was traded from Minnesota to Colorado in December, and then traded to the Indians in January. He'll try to bounce back from a disastrous season where he went 0-8 with a 6.67 ERA. Slowey's season got off to a poor start when he clashed with Twins management after losing a spot in the rotation and was moved to the bullpen. He then struggled with an abdominal strain and sore shoulder. He finally was moved into the rotation in August, but lost all eight starts. Slowey doesn't have overpowering stuff, but has outstanding control with a decent enough strikeout rate when healthy to be an asset in a major league rotation (he did win 10 or more games from 2008-10). A change of scenery may also help since he was seen as a pariah in the Twins' clubhouse. The move to Colorado would have been a poor fit as Slowey has struggled with the longball and his 49.3 percent flyball rate the past two years is the 11th highest among all pitchers in baseball.

2011

Slowey won 13 games last season and enters 2011 as the No. 4 or No. 5 starter, but there seems to be frustration within the Twins' organization that he hasn't improved and there was talk he could be traded this winter. Slowey doesn't have overpowering stuff, but has outstanding control (116:29 K:BB ratio) with a sufficient strikeout rate (6.7 K/9IP). However, he gives up too many home runs as an extreme flyball pitcher (50.6 percent of batted balls - second highest rate in baseball). Be sure to check his health this spring as he had two screws inserted into his wrist to repair a bone spur in 2009 and missed much of the final six weeks of 2010 with an elbow and triceps injury. If healthy, he still has upside because even a modest increase in his strikeout rate or a reduction in his home runs allowed could result in a breakout season given his supreme control.

2010

Slowey was on his way to establishing himself as an anchor at the top of the Minnesota rotation before his season ended in July due to a wrist injury. Before he was hurt, Slowey improved his strikeout rate (7.4 K/9IP) while continuing to display among the best control in baseball (75:15 K:BB ratio). He continued to have problems with the long ball as he gave up 15 home runs in 16 starts. If he can follow teammate Scott Baker's example of reducing his home runs, he could be set for a breakout season. But before getting too excited, Slowey must show he's healthy. He had two screws inserted into his wrist to help repair a bone spur. He's expected to be ready for spring training, but watch his progress. Barring a setback, he'll be Minnesota's No. 3 starter.

2009

Slowey enters 2009 as Minnesota's No. 3 starter after a strong rookie season. While Slowey doesn't have overpowering stuff, he has outstanding control (124:23 K:BB ratio). He does need to keep the ball in the park, however, as he gave up 28 home runs in 29 starts. Still, he showed signs he could be more of a strikeout pitcher than first thought with two double-digit strikeout games and 44 strikeouts over his last 46 innings. A slight increase in his strikeout rate and fewer home runs allowed could mean big things for him next season.

2008

Slowey is the leading candidate to win the fifth starter job with the Twins after a dominating season at Triple-A and a strong September in the majors. Slowey doesn't have overpowering stuff, but has outstanding control as evident by his 107:18 K:BB ratio at Triple-A. He struggled in seven starts in his first callup to the majors, but seemed to figure things out when given another chance in September with a 3.30 ERA and 28:2 K:BB ratio in 29.2 innings. He's worth a reserve spot even if starts the season in Triple-A.

2007

Slowey's name is overshadowed in an organization deep in pitching prospects, but he may be the best of the bunch. The 2005 second-round draft pick from Winthrop University has just above-average stuff but good control. He had an amazing 151:22 K:BB between high-A and Double-A last season. A strong start in the minors next spring could propel him to the majors later in the summer. He's a strong minor leaguer for keeper leagues and even worthy of a reserve pick in deeper non-keeper leagues.

2006

Slowey may get lost in an organization deep in pitching prospects, but his profile may rise quickly after a strong professional debut. The 2005 second-round draft pick from Winthrop college has above average stuff but good control. He didn't walk a batter in rookie ball and was quickly promoted to High-A, where he was impressive with a 69/8 K/BB ratio in 64 1/3 innings. He was a tad old for his competition, so a full year at Double-A will be a good test.