Kyle McClellan

Pressed into the starting rotation when Adam Wainwright was lost for the season, McClellan held his own early in the year, but wore down later in the season. He moved back to the bullpen when the Cardinals acquired Edwin Jackson in July. By the end of September he had a "dead arm" and he only pitched one game during the long postseason run (he was not even on the World Series roster). With Wainwright returning this year and Shelby Miller waiting in the wings, McClellan should be headed back to the bullpen, so don't expect 12 wins again anytime soon. As long as he keeps his walk rate down (it's been at 2.74 BB/9IP over the last two years), he should be a success as a reliever.

McClellan was probably the Cards' best reliever last season, and he owes it at least partially to shaving nearly two walks per nine innings off his walk rate. Of course, the .243 BABIP and 86.1 percent strand rate have even more to do with it. Even if his home-run rate (1.08 HR/9IP) doesn't improve, there could be a major correction in 2011. He'll pitch in a setup role again this year, but don't expect that sparkling ERA again.

McClellan, who had 15 holds with the Cardinals last year, has turned into a solid-if-unspectacular reliever in his two years in the league. He improved upon his rookie numbers to post a 3.38 ERA and 1.350 WHIP in 2009, though his 51:34 K:BB ratio was a decline from the previous year's 59:26 ratio. He'll get the ball a lot, but unless your league counts holds, his margin is razor-thin.

McClellan started the season strong, but manager Tony La Russa rode him too hard. With the workload catching up with him, McClellan posted a 6.46 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in the second half. Things should go better in 2009 as McClellan and La Russa should work better to determine what he can handle. There's still a possibility that he'll be used as a starter down the road, but he projects as an all-situations reliever this year.