Royce Ring

Ring was once thought to be a possible closer of the future for the Mets, but failed to live up to the hype. Still, he's put up some dominating minor league numbers the past few seasons (a 3.05 ERA and 58:18 K:BB ratio in 44.1 innings last year combined at Triple-A) and seems ready to carve out a role as a lefty specialist if he can limit his walks at the major league level. He'll battle battle Will Ohman in spring training to become the top lefty set-up man in the Atlanta bullpen.

Ring bounced between Triple-A Norfolk and the majors in 2006, but this time, he pitched well in each location, resurrecting his once-flailing career. He was a superfluous lefty in the Mets' bullpen, but should get a shot at sticking in San Diego as either a lefty specialist or a long reliever after being traded for Ben Johnson this past offseason.

Ring was unable to fill the Mets' situational lefty role and spent most of the year in Triple-A Norfolk. After being talked about as a possible closer, he has done little to impress the Mets and will spend most of the season back down in the minors.

Ring, who was the main player acquired by the Mets in the Roberto Alomar deal, regressed in 2004 after a solid 2003 campaign. After a poor first half of the year in Triple-A, he was demoted to Double-A, where things did not get much better. He possesses a mid-90s fastball along with a developing curveball and change-up but has not made progress on resolving his control issues. At best, he'll become a lefty specialist down the road.

Ring was the main player acquired by the Mets in the Roberto Alomar deal and became a closer candidate for 2004. Ring has a mid-90s fastball along with a developing curveball and change-up. He needs to work on his command and control but showed signs in Double-A of solving both of these problems. Ring pitched for the US in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament as a set-up man, where many scouts feel he will pitch in the majors. Ring will probably start the year in Triple-A Norfolk but could see a quick promotion with a strong showing.

The Sox pushed their 2002 first-round pick up to high-A, and he didn't look out of place, posting a 22/11 K/BB ratio in 23 innings. Ring closed in college, and he'll close in the minors, but imagining him in any role other than set-up man in the majors is just wishful thinking until he shows he can dominate at higher levels.