Jeff Manship

Manship was on the verge of pitching his way out of the majors, toiling along and stringing together below average seasons in Minnesota, Colorado and Philadelphia before inking a minor league deal with the Indians for 2015. He started the season well at Triple-A Columbus (1.074 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9, 8.8 K/9, 1.99 ERA in 31.2 innings) and earned himself a promotion to the big leagues in June. His success continued for the Tribe (0.763 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9, 7.6 K/9, 0.92 ERA in 32 appearances) and he never made another bus trip. He absolutely chewed up right-handed batters (.103/.169/.141 in 89 plate appearances) and didn't have much trouble against left-handers either (.235/.291/.353 in 55 plate appearances). Manship's timing was perfect as he heads into arbitration for the first time looking at a nice raise. He should be back in a middle relief role for the Indians but it's hard to expect a repeat performance.

Manship probably would have had a chance to get significant time in the majors last year, but he threw just 13.2 innings after May due to oblique and elbow issues (which required surgery to remove a bone spur). Manship showed promise as he duplicated his previous year's improved strikeout rate at Triple-A (7.56 K/9IP) along with continued great control (21:4 K:BB ratio in 25 innings at Triple-A). He'll enter spring training with a chance to win a long relief job, but more likely begins the season in the Triple-A rotation. He may surprise if he's healthy and finds a significant role in the majors.

Manship began last year with an outside shot at a rotation spot after a strong year at Triple-A, but started the season in the minors. He was called up several times as a spot starter and longer reliever with some initial success (2.41 ERA in his first seven outings), before he struggled in September (12 earned runs in 10.1 IP). In between trips to the majors, he had a 5.13 ERA at Triple-A which may not tell his whole story. Manship has always had good control, but improved his strikeout rate at Triple-A (7.6 K/9IP) last season while also maintaining a good groundball rate. He'll enter spring training with a chance to win a long relief job, but more likely begins the season in the Triple-A rotation. He may surprise if he lands a significant role in the majors.

Manship got his first taste of the majors in 2009 and enters the season with a shot to win a bullpen role and could eventually win a spot in the Minnesota rotation. After his prospect star dimmed in 2008, Manship started strong at Double-A and continued to pitch well enough at Triple-A that he was called up in August and got five starts with the Twins. He was inconsistent in Minnesota, but did have two strong starts. Manship has always had good control, but he failed to strike out more than six batters per inning at any level last season. He'll need more strikeouts to sustain success in the majors even with a good groundball rate (50 percent grounders in the minors last season). He could win a spot in long relief with the Twins, but may begin the season in the rotation at Triple-A.

After a breakout 2007 season, Manship's prospect star dimmed a bit in 2008 after he struggled somewhat at Double-A New Britain with a 4.46 ERA. Manship has a good strikeout rate (7.25 K/9IP) with great control (125:44 K:BB ratio). His underlying stats look the same between High-A and Double-A except for eight home runs allowed. If he can keep the ball in the park in 2009, he could get called up to the majors in September. A rebound season could see him compete for a rotation spot in 2010.

Manship, a 2006 14th-round pick, had a breakout season and emerged as one of Minnesota's top pitching prospects after posting a 2.30 ERA and 136:34 K:BB ratio in 149 innings between Low-A and High-A. His command declined a bit at High-A with a 59:25 K:BB ratio, so he'll need to work on that area when he likely starts at High-A again next season. Still, a strong start at High-A could put him on the fast track to the majors. He could become a middle of the rotation starter by 2009.