Jeremy Affeldt

With the lowest walk rate of his career, Affeldt had one of his best seasons as a big leaguer in 2014. In addition to cutting back on the free passes, he induced grounders at his highest clip yet (66.7 GB%). Even in a bullpen that generates a few rogue saves, Affeldt hasn't logged one the last two seasons. His value is limited mostly to simulation formats, and very deep rotisserie formats that reward holds, as his strikeout rate continues to hover around the lower side of his career level (7.1 K/9) At 35, he'll look to close out his three-year deal with the Giants by making a run at the team's fourth World Series in the last six years.

Affeldt had a rough season in 2013, even before he suffered a season-ending groin injury in the second half. While his 3.74 ERA wasn't terrible by any means, his K/9 (5.6) and BB/9 (4.5) were far worse than his totals from the previous two seasons. Affeldt is starting to get up there in age (34), but his struggles last season were likely more mechanical and injury-related rather than a sign of a serious decline for the veteran lefty. After undergoing successful groin surgery in the offseason, Affeldt will look to bounce back in 2014 and provide his typical solid middle-relief peripherals and holds.

The Giants re-signed Affeldt in November after he put together the best season of his career. His 2.73 FIP and 3.34 xFIP represent career lows, and he improved his strikeout rate to 8.1 K/9 while lowering his walk rate to 3.3 BB/9. Affeldt showed this season that he is more than a situational left-handed reliever by holding right-handed hitters to a .290 wOBA. His 2.9 percent HR/FB will likely regress, but his 60 percent groundball rate is another important aspect to his overall success. A decrease in average fastball velocity from 93.1 mph to 91.4 mph is somewhat troubling, but he has increased the use of his curveball and splitter to compensate.

Affeldt finished with a 2.63 ERA and 1.151 WHIP last season, once again posting an impressive 2.92 GB/FB ratio. His season ended prematurely when he sliced his right (non-throwing) hand trying to cut frozen hamburgers, but he’s expected to be fine for spring training, and the Giants picked up their one-year, $5 million option for the 2012 season. Affeldt will be back in San Francisco in a middle-relief role.

Despite his K:BB ratio actually improving slightly, Affeldt saw his ERA jump from 1.73 in 2009 to 4.14 last year, as his WHIP also increased from 1.171 to 1.600. The culprit was his BABIP, which went from .244 in 2009 to .349 in 2010. Both numbers were extremes, so expect Affeldt's 2011 performance to fall somewhere between his last two seasons. He's a lefty who is difficult to homer against and typically possesses one of the best groundball rates in baseball and will act as a middle reliever in the Giants bullpen this year.

Affeldt finished 2009 with a 1.73 ERA and 1.171 WHIP, and although his weak 55:31 K:BB ratio suggests it was a fluke, his phenomenal 3.53 G/F states otherwise. He really benefited from the move to San Francisco's friendly pitching environment, and while some regression is due in 2010, Affeldt will remain an integral part of the Giants' bullpen.

Affeldt's gopher-ball tendencies obscure what a nice season he had for the Reds in 2008. His strikeouts climbed to over a batter per inning, while he cut his walks in half. The nine homers allowed stand out, but keep in mind that his G/F improved in the process. His last two seasons have been in two of the tougher pitcher environments in Colorado and Cincinnati - the move to San Francisco will help him out considerably.

Affeldt appeared in a career-high 75 games with the Rockies in 2007, finishing with a strong .226 BAA. The biggest knock against the lefty reliever is his erratic command. He spent much of the season getting in and out of trouble because of his 46:33 K:BB. The Rockies declined him salary arbitration during the offseason and instead offered a two-year, $4 million contract. He is expected to get more money and more years elsewhere. No matter where he goes he will likely fill a middle-relief role.

After a less-than-stellar season as a reliever in 2005, Affeldt moved to the rotation for nine starts in 2006, but he was even worse in that role (2-5, 7.81). Traded to the Rockies in the Ryan Shealy deal, Affeldt continued his poor pitching in Coors Field. It's difficult to be optimistic about a guy coming off a season with a 48:55 K:BB ratio, but Affeldt throws hard and is left-handed, so he'll likely remain in the Colorado bullpen.

Affeldt's first full season as a full-time reliever wasn't nearly as prosperous as hoped. Groin injuries hampered him all season, but worse, he posted career highs in ERA (5.26), BB/9IP (5.15) and WHIP (1.71). After returning from a DL stint in July, Affeldt was a different pitcher, going 10 games without allowing a run. His September was also promising. An improved change-up was credited with his late improvement. Trade talk swirled around Affeldt in the offseason, as did hints that he may be returning to starting in 2006. No matter what happens, this will be a pivotal season for Affeldt.

Last season's chronic blister problems were alleviated through offseason fingernail surgery, but Affeldt was inconsistent in eight early season starts – allowing 59 hits in 46-plus innings and posting a 5.24 ERA – and was moved into the closer job, which he will retain in 2005. He collected 13 saves for the Royals despite missing a month and a half with a torn oblique muscle. He wasn't a solid closer when healthy, holding the opposition off of the bases just four times among his 13 saves. Long on talent and short on success during his three major-league seasons, Affeldt has seen his K/BB ratio decline in each season despite a nearly unhittable curve and a mid-90s fastball.

The only thing keeping Affeldt from becoming a No. 2 or No. 3 starting pitcher is blisters on his pitching hand. The Royals will give the lefty another look as a starter, but if the blistering won't subside, they would rather use him full-time in the pen. He had four saves, a 2.56 ERA and struck out 35 in 31 innings as a reliever last season.

A young lefthander with a lanky 6-foot, 4-inch frame, Affeldt pitched well enough in stints to draw high praise from Tony Pena. The problem in 2002 was chronic blisters that kept him from capitalizing on his success as a starter or reliever, during the regular season and continuing in winter ball.