Strahm ranked among relief leaders over the final two months of 2016 with a 1.23 ERA and 30 strikeouts across 22 innings. After struggling to begin 2017, Strahm rebounded in May (2.08 ERA) before ultimately going down with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. The Padres acquired him soon after the diagnosis, and he's expected to be ready sometime during spring training. A healthy Strahm should receive another look as a starter in another pitcher-friendly atmosphere. Though the 26-year-old's strikeout upside makes him worth a stash in some leagues, poor control (5.2 BB/9 in 56.2 career innings) and possibly limited pitch counts might prevent him from taking a significant step forward as a starter in 2018. He would probably enjoy more immediate success in another high-impact bullpen role.

It was reasonable to view Strahm as the Royals' top pitching prospect prior to his callup at the end of July, given Kyle Zimmer's recurring shoulder issues. However, Strahm had so much success as a reliever following his promotion that the Royals may simply see an elite late-inning arm who they have under control for six more years and be satisfied. Among relievers that threw 20-plus innings last year, Strahm ranked fifth in ERA (1.23), eighth in FIP (2.06) and 16th in strikeout rate (34.1 percent). The move to the bullpen certainly allowed his stuff to play up, as he was comfortably sitting in the mid-90s and touching 97 mph with his fastball in relief after sitting at 91-92 mph as a starter. Not surprisingly, his changeup and curveball both play quite nicely off 95 from the left side. His floor has been established as a shutdown setup man. Whether the Royals decide to get greedy and attempt to turn Strahm into a mid-rotation arm is to be determined.