Josh Outman

Outman looked utterly lost in his first go-round with the Rockies last season, registering a 9.82 ERA over 15 games before getting demoted to Double-A Tulsa. The two-level drop seemed to help Outman regain his form, as he allowed zero runs in nine of his final 12 appearances when he returned to the Rockies in September. Outman seems likely to rebound from a 52.5 percent strand rate last season, but a 4.4 BB/9 and the fact that right-handers hit .340/.432/.574 against him last season leaves serious questions about his viability at the major league level. If Outman can demonstrate in the spring that his late season performance was not a fluke, he will have a good chance at claiming a long relief role, receiving the occasional spot start as dictated by injuries.

Outman returned to the mound for the first time since mid-2009 following Tommy John surgery, bouncing between Triple-A Sacramento and the A's as injuries dictated. He struggled with his control, walking 47 batters in 78.1 innings (17 starts) in the minors and 23 batters in 58.1 innings with the A's. He's far less effective against right-handed hitters, which will pose a real problem if the Rockies envision him as a starter down the road. He'll compete for a spot on the Rockies' staff this spring, but may have to settle for a long relief role if the rotation comes out of spring training healthy.

Outman missed the entire 2010 season following Tommy John surgery in June 2009. He's expected to be ready for spring training, competing for a spot at the back of the A's rotation and hoping to build upon the promise he showed prior to being injured. Keep an eye on his control and velocity this spring, as those two indicators should serve as a clear sign regarding his readiness to assume his old role again.

Outman was having a nice season for the A's, posting a 1.158 WHIP and 53 K in 67.1 innings over 14 appearances (12 starts) before elbow soreness turned into a torn ligament, requiring Tommy John surgery in June that is expected to keep him sidelined until at least the All-Star break. Outman didn't have overpowering stuff before the injury, and control is often the last thing to return post-surgery so Outman's return to effectiveness could be a bit slower than has become the norm for those going under the knife. We'd be surprised if he had much fantasy significance in 2010.

Outman was shifted to a relief role in the Philly system before being acquired in the Joe Blanton trade, whereupon the A's moved him back into the rotation. He doesn't have overpowering stuff, but learning alongside Justin Duchscherer could help in his transition to the majors. His decent K rates in the minors don't figure to translate into big-time totals in the majors given his lack of velocity, so you can expect some growing pains upon his initial exposure.

Outman went 10-4 with a 2.45 ERA and 117:54 K:BB ratio (117.1 IP) at High-A Clearwater before finishing the season 2-3 with a 4.50 ERA in seven starts at Double-A (34:23 K:BB, 42.0 IP). He'll likely return to Reading to begin the 2008 season. Outman features a fastball that occasionally touches 90 mph but has a great feel for pitching and uses his changeup and slider effectively. Outman relies more on pitching savvy than outright overpowering stuff, and he's not expected to be ready to pitch in Philly until at least 2009.

Outman is a lefty in the Phillies chain who had a good first full pro season, winning 14 games in low-A. He throws around 90 mph and is still working on the consistency of his breaking pitches, leading to his 75 walks. Outman will need at least two more years to prepare for a shot.