Devin Smeltzer

Smeltzer didn't pitch after April of last year due to nerve irritation in his left elbow. He threw just 4.2 innings in all of 2021, so it's hard to read anything into his performance. Smeltzer has a funky delivery with a quality slider and curveball that can offset unimpressive fastball velocity. It's not clear if his best route to a steady job in the majors is as a starter/swingman or setup man.

Smeltzer appeared in just seven games last season as he struggled to find a set role in the majors. After competing for a rotation spot in the spring, he began the delayed season in long relief and made two spot starts. His results were poor with a 6.75 ERA and just an 87.5 mph average fastball. His 4.06 FIP may have been more indicative, however, as he increased his strikeout rate to 20.8% and maintained a low 6.9% walk rate. Smeltzer has a funky delivery with a quality slider and curveball that can offset unimpressive fastball velocity. He worked to improve his slider and used it more frequently, but didn't have great results with a .417 wOBA allowed, according to Baseball Savant. Still, he may never have got a feel for the pitch with his small workload. He'll compete for a spot in the rotation this spring, and if he does not win a starting job, he could fall back as a lefty relief option.

Smeltzer bounced between the majors and Triple-A, working out of the rotation and the bullpen. His strikeout rate certainly was not great at 18.8%, but he displayed good control (5.9 BB%) and has a funky delivery with a quality slider and curveball that can offset unimpressive fastball velocity (89.1 mph average). He'll compete for the last spot in the rotation this spring, and if he does not win a starting job, he could fall back as a lefty relief option. That said, Smeltzer had reverse splits in the majors with a .373 wOBA allowed to left-handed batters compared to a .313 mark against righties, which could limit his viability in the bullpen if not a small-sample fluke. He has marginal appeal in either role, though in the weak American League Central, there may be a few spots where you can stream him.