Dennis Sarfate

Sarfate had been pitching well as a middle reliever before the Orioles needed bodies to start and called upon Sarfate. He should head back to the middle of the bullpen in 2009, with little chance of starting or closing, thus leaving him with little chance to be a fantasy impact. His 2008 season ended when he underwent surgery to repair a distal clavicle fracture, but he's expected to be ready for spring training.

The Astros acquired Sarfate from the Brewers late in the year, and he posted a 1.08 ERA and struck out 14 batters in 8.1 innings with the two teams combined last year. Houston dealt him to Baltimore as part of the Miguel Tejada deal in December. We don't have a very long track record to go on, but with no clear-cut closer option in Baltimore to begin the season, Sarfate's power arm could earn him a shot at the job in spring training. Keep an eye on how things unfold for him in March.

Sarfate had a 3.67 ERA with 117 strikeouts in 125 innings at Triple-A Nashville in 2006, earning a call-up to the majors. The problem is that he also allowed 78 walks, which has plagued him his entire minor league career. He's out of minor league options, so the Brewers will need to make a decision on him and quite possibly will keep him on their Opening Day roster as a middle reliever.

Sarfate pitched well at Double-A Huntsville and has one of the best fastballs in the organization. Control has always been his problem and he's going to be 25 this season. He seems headed to the bullpen if he makes the majors.

Sarfate is the hardest throwing prospect in the Milwaukee minor league system, reportedly topping out at 98 MPH in the Arizona Fall League. The problem is he often has no control over this heater, and that has kept him from moving up through the system faster. The Brewers would love to see him gain some control and use him as a starter, but it's more likely he'll reach the majors as a reliever.

Sarfate was finally healthy last season and pitched very well for low Single-A Beloit, going 12-2 with a 2.84 ERA in 139 2/3 IP. He'll probably start the season in Double-A and could be with the Brewers by 2005.