Kyle Waldrop

The 2004 first-round pick missed 2008 due to shoulder surgery and has rebuilt his career as a soft-tossing, groundball generating reliever. Waldrop had a 3.87 ERA at Triple-A Rochester with good control (2.05 BB/9IP) but a mediocre strikeout rate (6.19 K/9IP). However, he generated groundballs on 63 percent of batted balls. Waldrop got a taste of the majors in September with mixed results, but still generated 61 percent groundballs in his 11 innings. He'll be in the mix for a bullpen spot this spring.

After missing all of 2008 due to shoulder surgery, the 2004 first-round pick struggled in 2009. However, Waldrop has moved to the bullpen last season and revived his career with a 2.57 ERA with a 60:20 K:BB ratio in 87 innings at Triple-A Rochester. Those numbers are not overwhelming, but he could figure into the bullpen mix at the major league level at some point next season.

Waldrop, the 25th overall pick in the 2004 draft, improved in his second season with high-A Fort Myers and earned a promotion to Double-A New Britain. A strong season at Double-A could make him a factor in the majors in 2008, but he's in the second tier of pitching prospects in the Minnesota organization.

Waldrop, one of Minnesota's three 2004 first-round draft picks, showed outstanding control in his first professional season. He walked just three batters in 25 innings with 25 strikeouts while playing Elizabethton in the Appalachian rookie league. He's on track to be promoted quickly if he can keep this up.

The high-schooler is an excellent athlete who hit for power was dominating in final year of high school as a pitcher. Most scouts like him as a pitcher and he could improve his low 90s velocity as he matures and receives pro instruction. He also features a quality curveball that could become a serious pitch as he develops.