Manuel Corpas

Corpas and Huston Street were the two candidates to close for the Rockies coming out of spring training, with manager Clint Hurdle promising the job to the pitcher with a better spring performance. Corpas narrowly edged Street, but it was Street who got the nod to close out games in Colorado. Soon thereafter, Street choked and Corpas was given the role of closer, but his time with the job was short lived. Street ultimately took the job back before the end of April and went on to record 34 saves in his next 36 opportunities, leaving Corpas to a setup role where he struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness. He had bone chips removed from his elbow in July, but his health is a bit of a question mark this spring as he was limited to just three appearances in winter ball.

A Rocktober hero, Corpas blew three saves in seven days in April and never got another ninth-inning save opportunity. His stuff and delivery are better suited to a setup role, anyway, as he can throw multiple innings and be used to get ground balls in double-play situations. Over his last 60 appearances, he had a 3.48 ERA and 42:12 K:BB ratio. He'll likely start the year as the closer, but he'll have to compete for saves with Huston Street and Taylor Buchholz.

Corpas started 2007 as a right-handed middle reliever and ended it as one of the hottest closers in baseball, never looking back after taking over the role when Brian Fuentes suffered a lat strain. He converted 19-of-20 save opportunities and exhibited excellent composure in the postseason, converting another five of six chances. His 58:20 K:BB in 78 innings shows he has good command and can get a strikeout when needed. Corpas will open 2008 in the closer's role again and his job security would improve if the Rockies were able to find a taker for Fuentes.

Corpas was a pleasant surprise for the Rockies last year. In 45.1 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, he posted a 42:6 K:BB and 0.99 ERA. He showed good potential with the Rockies after a July call-up. Since they have little bullpen depth behind closer Brian Fuentes and Ramon Ramirez, Corpas could be in line for a bigger role should Fuentes get hurt or lose effectiveness. He's a guy worth watching, but not drafting at this point.

Corpas pitched well in winter ball this year and is expected to start the season at Double-A. He had a strong 52/14 K/BB ratio.