Anthony Ranaudo

Ranaudo failed to build upon his 2014 season that saw him earn International League Pitcher of the Year honors while in the Red Sox system before a trade sent him to Texas in the offseason. Ranaudo made just four appearances (two starts) with Texas, walking eight and fanning 11 in 15.1 innings and showed poor command of his limited arsenal in 21 starts at Triple-A Round Rock with 46 walks and 90 strikeouts in 118 innings. His ceiling in that of a fourth or fifth starter, and there could be a spot at the back of the Texas rotation until Yu Darvish is ready to return if Ranaudo has a good spring.

Ranaudo continued a measured ascent through Boston's system, reaching Triple-A Pawtucket to start the 2014 season. He experienced mostly success for the PawSox, winning 14 games with a 2.61 ERA while holding batters to a .223 average and earning himself the International League's Pitcher of the Year award. And when Boston's season imploded, Ranaudo was one of several minor league starters to get the call for a major-league opportunity. In seven starts for Boston in August and September, Ranaudo's weaknesses were exposed. His fastball command has always been inconsistent –- it's a pitch that he's often left up in the zone -- and he gave up 10 homers and 16 walks in 39.1 innings. The 6-foot-7 righty earned plaudits for his poise on the mound, but he needs to get on top of his fastball and generate a reliable third pitch. At this point, his ceiling is that of a fourth or fifth starter. He'll compete for a spot in the Rangers' rotation during the spring following a January trade, but is more than likely headed back to Triple-A to open 2015.

If they hand out an award for comeback player of the year in the minor leagues, Ranaudo would be a finalist. His 2012 season was lost before it began. A spring training groin injury delayed his start at Double-A Portland and he was eventually shutdown in July with a dead arm. In between, he battled with his mechanics and lacked the command he showed in his impressive 2011 debut. In 2013, Ranaudo burned through the Eastern League in April and May, striking out 58 and walking 15 while yielding a 1.45 ERA in 56 innings, and eventually earned a promotion to Triple-A Pawtucket. Ranaudo maintained his fastball velocity and command throughout the season. With a plus breaking ball that he can locate for strikes, Ranaudo needs to develop a better changeup. Adding a third pitch will be a key to any success he achieves at upper levels and the majors. He'll open the season at Triple-A.

After a successful first season in the organization in 2011, Ranaudo took a major step back in 2012, largely due to injuries. A groin injury in spring training delayed his start until May and then he suffered shoulder fatigue in the second half shutting down his season early. In between, there was mechanical issues and inconsistent results from game-to-game and inning-to-inning. There's often regression for young pitchers moving from High-A to Double-A, but with Ranaudo, it was compounded by injuries and his lanky 6-7 frame. He aggravated the groin in winter ball and starts 2013 off the radar. He'll re-start at Double-A.

Ranaudo had success starting the season at Low-A Greenville and received a quick promotion to the High-A Carolina League pitching for Salem. Consistent success at the advanced level eluded him, but the Red Sox are not worried. He's the top starter prospect in the organization and will stay on with Salem to open the 2012 season. The 22-year-old righty has three good pitches right now and needs to work on being consistent in his timing and repeating his delivery.

Ranaudo is a name that will generate some ink in 2011, especially after the Red Sox included pitching prospect Casey Kelly in the deal to acquire first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. A top college pitcher in 2010, Ranaudo experienced some elbow soreness that resulted in poor numbers, reduced fastball velocity, and a fall to the supplemental round in the 2010 draft. He pitched in the Cape Cod League last summer and was cartoonishly dominant there. That earned him first-round dollars from Boston, who feel the elbow is not a major concern and any mechanical flaws related to compensating for the elbow are fixable. Prior to the elbow soreness, Ranaudo flashed three good pitches including a downhill fastball, plus-potential power curve and changeup.

Ranaudo, 20, was a top pitching prospect at LSU heading into the 2010 season, but saw his stock drop because of elbow soreness early in the season. The injury led to some mechanical issues and he struggled to regain his 2009 form (159 Ks, 3.04 ERA in 124.1 innings). He lost some velocity and movement on his 91-94 mph fastball, and never regained his feel for the strike zone (27 BB in 51.2 innings). Prior to the injury, he flashed a good curve and was developing a changeup. The Red Sox took a chance on him in the supplemental round and believe his mechanical flaws can be fixed. He is pitching in the Cape Cod League, hoping to prove he's worth more to Boston than supplemental-round money.