Kevin Correia

Minnesota signed Correia to provide the team with much-needed innings and he responded with a better-than-expected performance that cements him in the 2014 rotation. Despite a 9-13 record, Correia had a decent 4.18 ERA and threw 185.1 innings, the second-most in a season of his career. However, he seems unlikely to duplicate that performance as he has a weak strikeout rate (4.9 K/9) and mediocre velocity (90.5 mph average fastball). He has continued to improve his control to a career-best 2.2 BB/9 and does generate groundballs (44 percent) at about league average. Still, Correia carries a lot of downside risk given his weak arsenal, but he'll likely begin the season as Minnesota's No. 3 or No. 4 starter.

Correia is nothing if not predictable. The right-hander went 12-11 for the third time in four seasons in 2012. His 1.9 K/BB ratio was right in line with his career norm, and he struck out only 89 batters in 171 innings. The Bucs removed him from the rotation after acquiring Wandy Rodriguez prior to the trade deadline and Correia sulked for a couple weeks. Once injuries forced the Pirates to start him again, he responded by registering a 3.50 ERA in 36 September innings. After signing a two-year deal with the Twins in December, Correia will fight for a fourth or fifth rotation spot once again in 2013.

Correia's fantasy owners got their money worth in his first eight starts when the righty went 5-2 with a 2.91 ERA and 1.101 WHIP. Surprisingly, Correia compiled an 11-7 record and was named to the All-Star Game. Savvy players likely had an inkling that the smooth sailing wouldn't last, however. After the break, he put up a 7.23 ERA in 37.1 innings before being shut down with a strained oblique. Correia has struck out more than 115 batters just one time and holds a career 4.57 ERA and 1.432 WHIP. He's hit double-digit wins in each of the last three years, but his mediocre peripherals suggest he's little more than a late-round draft pick.

Coming off a breakthrough in 2009, Correia's 2010 season was a disappointment. He posted a 5.40 ERA, 1.490 WHIP and won only 10 games in 26 starts, hardly useful numbers to fantasy owners. It wasn't all bad, though, as he improved his strikeout and groundball rates for the second year in a row. A walk rate that pushed 4.0 BB/9IP and a bout with the long ball did most of the damage. Correia's brother died in a hiking accident in early May, and it's entirely possible that his passing affected his performance as the season went on. In the offseason, he signed a two-year deal with the Pirates, which affords him plenty of job security. While the move out of PETCO won't help, it's likely his home-run rate regresses to his career norm and his ERA should improve a bit.

The Padres took advantage of a roster jam to get Correia away from the Giants in the spring, and he turned into their ace after the Jake Peavy deal. It wasn't a fluke - Correia had pitched well in 2006 and 2007 as well, and is basically a league-average starter. In Petco, that's a pretty good fantasy play. Look for a repeat of last season's performance

Correia's 2008 season was ugly, finishing with a 6.05 ERA and 1.71 WHIP. His 66:47 K:BB ratio was equally bad. Still, he was plagued by a lingering oblique injury last year and he's never had arm troubles. He's had decent strikeout rates, but control and the long ball have been problems. He'll get a shot to join the rotation in San Diego after signing a minor league contract.

After turning in a September with a 2.70 ERA and 1.167 WHIP as a starter, Correia enters 2008 competing for the team's final rotation spot. While his late-season audition was impressive, Correia's 80:40 K:BB ratio over 101.2 innings was just mediocre, and his stuff is hardly dominant. He does have AT&T Park working for him, so his weak 1.13 G/F ratio can be masked somewhat. Still, Jonathan Sanchez has to be viewed as the favorite to win the No. 5 starter role, relegating Correia to middle relief.

Correia entered last season as a fifth-starter candidate but ended up losing that spot to Jamey Wright. Relegated to bullpen duty, Correia actually turned in a solid season. He's likely once again to compete for a rotation spot this spring, but given his moderate success in the pen last season, the Giants might elect to stick with him there.

He was rushed up by the Giants in '03, and hasn't really been the same since. A disastrous tryout as the Fresno closer was followed by some decent work in the Giants rotation in the second half, giving hope that he could be a No. 4 starter. No upside.

Correia was recalled off and on from Triple-A Fresno due to injuries to some of San Francisco's regular middle relievers. He'll probably benefit from more work this season in the minors before he can be counted on, but there is a small chance he could crack the lineup this season with a good spring training.

The unlikely answer to the question: "Who was the first player from the 2002 draft to reach the major leagues?" Correia jumped into the Giants rotation when injuries and ineffectiveness left them short in July. He'll battle Dustin Hermanson for a rotation spot in 2004, and could have a Ryan Jensen-like season if things break right. Like many Giants starters, he's a good pickup because of the quality of the team around him and the way Pac Bell Park keeps runs off the board.