The 2017 version of Ottavino was another painful lesson in reliever volatility. Throughout the ups and downs of his career with injury, Ottavino has been a reliable source of strikeouts from the bullpen thanks to his nasty slider and has been very stingy with walks. It did not take much effort to squint at his skills and see the potential for him to become a closer. That never really happened as the club traded for Jake McGee and then later struck gold in Greg Holland and his impressive comeback season. Ottavino continued striking guys out in 2017, but suddenly his command wavered. He had a career-low first-pitch strike rate as well as a career-worst swinging-strike rate as opponents did not have to chase the slider out of the zone as much and waited on the fastball as he pitched from behind in the count. Overall, 2017 looks like an outlier, so look for a bounce-back year for the solid middle reliever.

Ottavino was forced to miss the beginning of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in May of 2015, but he didn't miss a beat once he was back in commission. In 11.2 innings during his first month off the disabled list, the right-hander didn't allow a single run, struck out over a batter per inning, and held a stellar 0.94 WHIP, prompting the Rockies to promote him to the closer's role, where he went 7-for-11 in save opportunities. Although his final 2.67 ERA looks impressive on its own, it's worth noting that five of the eight earned runs he allowed on the season were given up in the same inning, while he gave up more than one hit only one time during every other appearance. He's in line to begin 2017 as the Rockies' closer, and as long as he continues inducing plenty of groundballs and striking out batters at a healthy rate, Ottavino seems primed for success even as a reliever in the most hitter-friendly park in baseball.

Ottavino began 2015 as the most reliable member of the Rockies' bullpen. In 10 April appearances, he pitched 10.1 scoreless innings to produce three saves, a 0.48 WHIP and a 13:2 K:BB. This success was short-lived, however, as Ottavino was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery in mid-May, costing him the rest of the season. Ottavino was really coming into his own as a reliever, especially considering his home park is the daunting Coors Field. He probably will miss the first half of the 2016 season, but if he can make a full recovery, the 29-year-old should be an integral part of the Rockies' bullpen when he returns.

Aside from a bumpy June, Ottavino was one of the few dependable arms in the Rockies' bullpen last season, leading all of the team’s relievers in WAR (1.3) and posting a 3.60 ERA and 4.38 K/BB ratio over 65 innings. A long man for the Rockies the previous two seasons, Ottavino leaned on his mid-90s fastball and sharp slider combination to solidify himself as their top setup man. With Rex Brothers failing to take a step forward, Ottavino looks like he could be the top alternative in waiting behind 42-year-old closer LaTroy Hawkins. Ottavino’s superior strikeout stuff and comparable control could threaten Hawkins’ job security during the upcoming campaign, but the right-hander may need to show more effectiveness against lefties -- who batted .338 against him in 2014 -- before he gets his shot. Even if that fails to materialize, Ottavino will still be perhaps the most malleable member of the bullpen as a pitcher who has shown an ability to pitch effectively in short relief, high-leverage situations and multi-inning scenarios.

Ottavino assumed a hybrid role out of the bullpen last season, swinging between both long relief and shorter, high-leverage work for the Rockies. Ottavino seemed to thrive regardless of the situation, striking out just under a batter per inning to finish with a career-best 2.64 ERA (3.15 FIP). Though the Rockies haven’t clarified their plans for Ottavino in 2013, there’s a good chance he’ll pitch more innings of higher consequence coming off his breakthrough performance. As the most versatile member of the bullpen, Ottavino will be sure to receive an ample workload regardless of how he’s used.

Ottavino saw extensive usage last season as a hybrid reliever working in conjunction with the Rockies' four-man rotation experiment, pitching 79 innings in relief. While a move back to a more traditional rotation setup in 2013 should lighten Ottavino's workload, there is a good chance the Rockies continue to deploy him for multiple innings of relief going forward. In the 25 games in which he pitched more than one inning last season, Ottavino rewarded the team with a 2.13 ERA. Previously a starter in the Cardinals organization, Ottavino saw an increase in his fastball velocity and strikeout rate upon moving to relief full time. While he will not be in the mix for save chances, Ottavino should nonetheless remain one of the Rockies’ more trusted relievers.

Ottavino has already started 92 games in his four years in the minors, and if he doesn't watch out, he may staying down there for awhile. He's still just 24 and has showcased good strikeout rates every year, but his problem of being too hittable was exacerbated by a high walk rate in 2009. He will probably pitch a lot during spring training, but he doesn't have a realistic shot of making the squad this year.

A first-round pick out of Northeastern University in 2006, Ottavino has already started 41 games in the minors. At High-A Palm Beach last year, Ottavino had a 3.08 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 143 innings. He's still just 22, but he'll be on the fast track to the majors in 2008 and will possibly be competing for a spot in the St. Louis rotation by 2009.