Jarred Cosart

Cosart opened 2016 in the Miami rotation, but was quickly demoted to Triple-A after a dismal start to the season. An oblique injury prolonged his time in the minors, and Cosart was eventually flipped to San Diego in July. The Padres continued to use him as a starter, but the results remained poor as he's never been close to replicating his late-2014 success. With 367 MLB innings under his belt, Cosart's days as a starter are likely nearing an end, but the Padres' dire need for back-end arms could leave him in the mix to push for a starting job again during spring training. Ideally, he would be converted to a relief role, where his fastball velocity would tick up in max-effort situations. Even then, Cosart will need to reduce his walk rate (career 11.4 percent) in order to earn high-leverage work. His 2017 role may also hinge on his recovery from October surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow, but he's expected to be ready for the start of spring training.

Vertigo-like symptoms caused by a nerve issue cost Cosart long stretches of the 2015 season, limiting him to 14 appearances (13 starts). Proper treatment allowed Cosart to return to Miami for the final month of the season. His on-field performance represented a step back from 2014, with his FIP jumping nearly 150 points to 5.12, but the health problems undoubtedly played a part in his struggles. Cosart was able to maintain a groundball rate around 55 percent, a mark bested by only five qualifying pitchers, while posting a 1.72 ERA in 36.2 innings at home. The longball haunted him on the road, as Cosart gave up nine homers in just 33 innings away from Marlins Park. He needs to bring the walks back down and there is minimal strikeout upside, but Cosart, who works with a low-to-mid 90s fastball, a curveball and a changeup, should have a spot in the Marlins' starting rotation in 2016.

The Marlins continued to invest in their exciting young rotation ahead of the non-waiver trade deadline, acquiring Cosart from the Astros in July. Cosart caught fire following the swap, rallying with a 3.32 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 60 innings for Miami to close out the season. All told, he notched 180.1 innings during his first full season in the big leagues, winning 13 games with a 3.69 ERA and 115:73 K:BB ratio. Though Cosart does not generate many strikeouts, he induced a 54.2% groundball rate last season while leaning on a heavy 93-mph fastball mixed with a curveball and changeup. Cosart should threaten the 200 innings mark as he steadily piles on the workload in 2015, and he has room for growth if he can locate his offerings more consistently and shave down his walk rate.

Cosart was a mid-season callup by the Astros after he maintained a strong 9.0 K/9 over 93 innings (17 starts) at Triple-A. The 23-year-old right-hander dazzled in his major league debut, tossing eight shutout innings in a win over the Rays. Cosart went on to make nine more starts - registering a quality start in 70 percent of his outings - before he was shut down by the Astros in early September. While his 1.95 ERA certainly stands out, that's mostly the result of a high 87.2 percent strand rate. In fact, Cosart battled command problems all season, finishing the year with more walks allowed (35) than strikeouts (33). Still, the extreme groundballer (1.59 GO/AO) is likely to open this season in Houston's starting rotation after a solid debut campaign in the big leagues.

The 22-year-old Cosart had a solid season between Double and Triple-A, sporting a combined ERA of 3.30, with a 1.40 WHIP and 92:51 K:BB. His arm is strong, and there are those who think he would be better suited to close than start. Cosart finished well in Triple-A, which could make him a candidate for a starting spot with the big club in 2013. More likely than not, however, Cosart will stay in Triple-A for additional seasoning if the Astros feel that he should remain in the mix to work out of the rotation.

Coming over to the Astros as a key piece in the Hunter Pence deal, Cosart immediately became the top prospect in the Houston farm system. His fastball usually sits in the mid-90s, but he is able to dial it up to 97-99 mph if he needs to. Despite the promise, his results confound, as with all of his tools he should have fared much better last year. Part of the reason the Phillies were willing to deal Cosart was that he is maddeningly inconsistent, looking like a future ace some days and a future failed prospect on others. His overconfidence on the mound and love for his fastball tend to suggest he is better suited for the back of the bullpen. In either case, he will likely begin the season back in Double-A.

Cosart was selected out of high school by the Phillies in the 38th round of the 2008 draft. He opened some eyes last season with a 77:16 K:BB ratio in 71 innings at Low-A Lakewood as a 20-year-old. He was selected to pitch in the Futures Game but was pulled from the roster with a strained right elbow. The Phillies sent Cosart to see Dr. James Andrews who gave Cosart a clean bill of health. The Phillies opted to rest Cosart depite the positive diagnosis and had him back on a mound in September during the Fall Instructional League where he was reportedly throwing in the upper-90s. Cosart will need to develop his secondary pitches but his velocity and solid command make him a prospect worth keeping an eye on. He has the potential to break out this year.

Cosart was a 38th round pick in 2008 out of high school in League City, Texas. He posted a 2.22 ERA with a 25:7 K:BB ratio in 24.1 innings for the Gulf Coast League Phillies in 2009. Cosart can hit 94 MPH, spins a curve, and throws strikes. We need a larger data size at higher levels, but he's got the potential to surprise down the line.