Ryan Rowland-Smith

Rowland-Smith's 2009 was a lesson in frustration. He suffered a triceps injury in his first start and spent the rest of the season battling back to his previous form. His 51:23 K:BB in 14 starts (93 innings) after his return isn't anything special, but the 27-year-old is a near lock for a spot in the 2010 rotation. As a back-of-the-rotation starter, Rowland-Smith isn't a bad option. Whether he's a decent fantasy option, likely depends on league depth. But Rowland-Smith will benefit from a strong defense behind him and a nifty home park for a pitcher.

Rowland-Smith was one of the few pleasant surprises last year in season of bitter disappointments for the Mariners. He was sent down in July to convert to a starting pitcher, and when he returned in August, he acquitted himself nicely. After allowing nine runs combined in his first two starts (10.2 IP) after the conversion, Rowland-Smith never allowed more than three earned runs in his final eight starts (2.56 ERA), five times giving up two runs or less. As a non-strikeout pitcher (5.86 K/9), Rowland-Smith is reliant on good command. But even though he carries that risk, Rowland-Smith can be an effective back-of-the-rotation starter. If nothing else, he gives the Mariners a trade chip as they look to add bats to the lineup.

Rowland-Smith made his major league debut last season, and in between a couple intermissions at Triple-A Tacoma proved reliable in middle relief. He struck out 42 in 38.2 innings and recorded a 2.8:1 K:BB ratio for the Mariners. The club sent him to Venezuela in winter to prepare for a possible rotation assignment this season. Rowland-Smith didn't fare as well there, however. In seven starts, he struck out just 19 in 32 innings and walked 13 en route to a 5.34 ERA. Rowland-Smith will compete with a handful of pitchers for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Rowland-Smith posted some impressive numbers at Double-A San Antonio last season with a 10.5 K/9 and a 2.6 K/BB in 23 appearances (one start). The Mariners were impressed enough to add Rowland-Smith to the 40-man roster in the offseason. He needs more seasoning in the minors and there are other pitchers ahead of him on the organizational depth chart.