Ross Ohlendorf

Ross Ohlendorf

41-Year-Old PitcherP
 Free Agent  Foreign
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Ross Ohlendorf in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a one-year deal with the Yauklt Swallows (Japan) in December 2016.
Signs to play in Japan
PFree Agent  F
December 28, 2016
Ohlendorf signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, the Japan Times reports.
ANALYSIS
Ohlendorf struggled with a 4.66 ERA for the Reds last season in 64 games out of the bullpen. At age 34 next season, he may finish his career in Japan.
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
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Ohlendorf signed on with the Reds toward the end of spring training last year after opting out of his deal with the Royals, and remained healthy enough to appear in a personal-high 64 games. He bounced around between the middle and back-end of the bullpen, and he showed some obvious improvements (posting personal-best marks with 9.3 K/9 and an average fastball velocity of 93.9 mph) now as a full-time reliever as opposed to the beginning of his career when he worked out of the rotation. That said, he also posted 4.4 BB/9 and 1.9 HR/9 that resulted in his final ERA clocking in at 4.66. He'll be 34 years old to open up the 2017 season, and though he could benefit from staying healthy and becoming more accustomed to a relief role, it's unlikely he'll experience significant improvement. He's decided to try his luck overseas in 2017.
Ohlendoff battled groin injuries for most of the season, limting him to just 21 relief appearances in the majors, but he did manage to make the most of them by posting three wins, a save and seven holds. The improved control he displayed during his last stint in the majors back in 2013 was lacking in 2015, but he did manage to add a little life to his fastball (93.8 mph). There's no room for him in a stacked Texas bullpen, particularly from the right-side, and he'll likely have to settle on a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training wherever he ends up.
Ohlendorf entertained the masses in 2013 with an old-timey windup that amazingly helped him regain his effectiveness, but a back injury kept him from repeating his performance last year. Even when healthy his stuff wasn't exactly elite, but Ohlendorf's control was sharp enough to survive throwing low-90s fastballs and adequate sliders and changeups. The 32-year-old right-hander got cut loose by the Nationals in the offseason and will need to prove he's healthy again before he gets another shot at the majors, but pitching is still enough of a needed commodity and his resume is good enough that Ohlendorf should be able to catch on somewhere with a minor league deal and try to win a long-relief gig. Big league fans may not have seen the last of that windup just yet.
Ohlendorf caused a brief stir on the Interwebs with his new-found, old-time windup, and he proved he still has something to contribute at the major league level. Another club might hand him a rotation job to see what he could do with it, but the stacked Nats will be content to use him in long relief, and possibly give him spot starts when they wear baggy retro uniforms and knee-high socks.
Ohlendorf beat the Bucs in arbitration prior to the 2011 campaign despite the fact he went 1-11 in 2010. He didn't win any arbitration awards in the most recent winter. The big righty was shut down late in 2010 and never found his mark in 2011. He threw in only nine games, registering an 8.15 ERA and 1.940 WHIP in 38.2 frames. His stuff is decent enough, but he lacks the athleticism most big league pitchers possess. There are plenty of unanswered questions revolving around his shoulder injury and fantasy owners would do well to exercise caution around the native Texan.
Ohlendorf got beaned in the head by a batted ball and struggled with a shoulder ailment, causing him to miss plenty of action in 2010. The Pittsburgh offense behind Ohlendorf failed to score four runs for him 26 straight times, the longest such streak since 1974. Limited to 108 innings, the Princeton-educated righty registered a 4.07 ERA, 1.385 WHIP and .260 BAA along with a 1-11 record that would've done Schleprock proud. If Ohlendorf can stay healthy and forgo an almost irrational urge to pick runners off at first base, he could rebound nicely in 2011. His heavy fastball has limited hitters to BABIPs of .265 and .290, respectively, in the last two seasons.
Ohlendorf's rapid development was the Pirates' biggest pitching surprise of the 2009 season. The big Texan compiled a 3.92 ERA, 1.234 WHIP and a 109:53 K:BB ratio in 176.2 innings. Ohlendorf, who was shut down early to keep his workload increase close to 40 innings over the previous season, gave up three earned runs or less in 20 of 29 starts. Considering he started all of five games in his career prior to 2009, it wouldn't be surprising to see him regress a bit. Ohlendorf proved to be a nice in-season fantasy pickup last year and could contribute once again in 2010 as a late-round draft choice.
Ohlendorf found himself with his third organization in as many years following a trade to Pittsburgh at the deadline in 2008. The right-handed starter hasn't settled down at the major-league level, but with the Pirates starved for starting pitching, Ohlendorf will get a chance during spring training to make his case for a rotation spot. He did show excellent control at Triple-A last season, registering a 65:13 K:BB ratio in 69 innings. General manager Neal Huntington favors hard throwers, meaning that Ohlendorf will be given plenty of opportunities to pitch his way onto the big league staff in 2009.
The Yankees have shifted Ohlendorf towards a bullpen role given the number of right-handed options they've already got who are major league ready, and he was actually a part of the bullpen plans in September, where he delivered six strong appearances during the playoff race. Like many of the other talented young farmhands, Ohlendorf will need to adjust to a new role or wait until he's in a different organization before he'll have a chance at making an impact.
A Chris Young starter kit, Ohlendorf is a tall control pitcher out of Princeton. He doesn't have Young's stuff, but held his own at Double-A by keeping mistakes -- walks and homers -- to a bare minimum. It's a very difficult way to live in Triple-A or the AL East, so you should wait a year on him. Among Yankee pitching prospects, he's at best third in line behind Philip Hughes and Tyler Clippard, and arguably behind Humberto Sanchez too.
More Fantasy News
Blows save Monday night
PCincinnati Reds  F
August 9, 2016
Ohlendorf poured gasoline on the fire in Monday's cataclysmic ninth inning collapse against the Cardinals, allowing two inherited runners to score on a walk and a hit-batter to blow a save chance.
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Collects second save of 2016
PCincinnati Reds  F
July 15, 2016
Ohlendorf retired one batter to earn his second save of the year Friday against the Brewers.
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PCincinnati Reds  F
June 11, 2016
Ohlendorf allowed two hits, but recorded his first save of the season in a 2-1 victory over the Athletics on Saturday.
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PCincinnati Reds  F
May 23, 2016
Ohlendorf won the appeal of his suspension and fine from the incident on May 11 and will have both revoked, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports.
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PCincinnati Reds  F
May 13, 2016
Ohlendorf was served a three-game suspension Friday but he will appeal, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
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