Macay McBride

McBride has posted pretty solid K/9 ratios throughout his time in the minors but it's been his inability to harness his control that has kept him from finding any success in the majors. The Braves finally gave up on him in June, sending him to the Tigers for Wilfredo Ledezma. The Tigers will likely give McBride a chance to earn a spot as a second lefty in their pen this spring but there's no reason to believe he'll be successful until he cuts down on the walks.

While McBride's overall numbers were nothing spectacular (witness his poor 46:32 K:BB ratio), he was especially tough on lefties (.545 OPS vs. lefties, .832 OPS vs. righties). However, he did improve in the second half (3.00 ERA and 31:12 K:BB ratio) after correcting a flaw in his delivery. If he's used as a lefty specialist in the Atlanta bullpen, he could put up a decent ERA and WHIP, albeit in few innings. We're not sure he can excel in a larger role, but he could surprise given his strong second half and decent strikeout rates.

McBride could win a job as a lefty out of the Atlanta bullpen this spring after showing decent command last season. His ERA at Richmond was poor, but he did post a nice 47/22 K/BB ratio in 43 2/3 innings. His stats from his first trip to the majors look mediocre, but he gave up four runs in his first appearance and then didn't give up a run in eight of his next nine appearances. While he's unlikely to win a high-profile job in the bullpen, he's a decent middle relief prospect who's probably not on many fantasy players' radar.

McBride split the season at Double-A Greenville between starting and relieving. Another strong season could have him in the mix as a left-handed member of the Atlanta bullpen in 2006.

McBride may be undersized (5'11", 185,) but made great strides with his off speed repertoire in low A posting a strong strikeout-to-walk ratio (138/48). However, the Braves' system is typically loaded with pitching talent, so he'll likely advance at a level-per-season pace.