Casey Weathers

Weathers, the Rockies' 2007 first-round pick, spent much of 2010 working his way back from the Tommy John surgery he had in 2009. A relief pitcher with a closer's pedigree, he pitched 11.2 innings at short-season Tri-City with a 21:5 K:BB mark. From there he moved on to High-A Modesto, where he struggled with a 25:17 K:BB in 18.2 innings. He possesses a mid-to-high-90s fastball with a good slider and is known as a groundball pitcher. Before the surgery, he posted a 3.05 ERA and 11.0 K/9IP at Double-A Tulsa in 2008. He'll likely spend 2011 continuing to work his way back and regaining the form he showed prior to his injury. He remains someone that fantasy owners should keep in the back of their mind when thinking about potential future closers.

Weathers blew out his elbow in the Arizona Fall League, and will miss all of 2009 following Tommy John surgery. He goes from being a mid-draft pick as a near-certain 25-save guy, to a rehab case maybe 18 months from his next save situation.

The Rockies' first-round pick in 2007 out of Vanderbilt, Weathers split time between Low-A and High-A in 2007. He throws in the high 90s and owns an excellent slider that tops out at 90 mph. He’ll probably start 2008 at Double-A but could progress quickly and may even see some major league action late in the year.