Samuel Deduno

Brought in on a waiver claim from Minnesota at the end of August, Deduno pitched well in five appearances (one start) with Houston, allowing three runs on five hits and five walks with nine strikeouts over 8.2 innings. Overall, the 31-year-old right-hander went 2-6 with a 4.47 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 35 games (nine starts) between the two teams, and despite issuing more free passes (4.1 BB/9) compared to the year prior, he did post a career-best strikeout rate (7.4 K/9) to make up for it. Deduno will likely compete for a rotation spot this spring, but there's a greater possibility he breaks camp with the Astros in the long-man role out of the bullpen.

Deduno enters spring training with a good shot at a spot in the rotation after a season where he showed promise by walking fewer batters. He began the year by anchoring the Dominican Republic's title-winning World Baseball Classic team, hurling five scoreless innings as the winning pitcher in the final game. However, he strained a groin muscle in that game, which delayed his debut for the Twins until May. While Deduno's strikeout rate fell slightly to 5.8 K/9, he cut his walk rate almost in half to 3.4 BB/9. He still walks too many batters and has mediocre velocity (90.3 mph fastball), but he makes up for those shortcomings by getting outstanding movement on his fastball, which induces a lot of groundballs (59.7% of batted balls). If he can continue to reduce his walks, he could finally maintain a regular spot in a big league rotation at age 30.

Deduno got a shot in the Minnesota rotation last season when injuries struck, but struggled with a 4.44 ERA and ugly 57:53 K:BB. He had always shown good strikeout rates in the minors, but finding the strike zone has been a problem. He is great at generating groundballs (almost 60 percent of batted balls between Triple-A and the majors last year) by getting uncanny movement on his fastball. He has some upside as a result if he can learn to reduce his walks. Deduno will enter 2013 with a shot at job in the rotation, but his upside appears limited due to his age (he will turn 29 this season) and his control issues.

Deduno has had nice strikeout rates in his minor league career, but has struggled with his control as he did last year at Triple-A Tuscon (85:58 K:BB ratio in 105.1 innings). He'll likely just add depth at Triple-A for the Twins, but he could make the majors if the Minnesota bullpen is in flux.

Deduno spent most of 2010 at Triple-A Colorado Springs as a starter, where he posted a 3-1 record and a 8.51 K/9IP. He possesses a sinking mid-90s fastball and devastating curveball, but has yet to overcome control issues to put it all together. The control issues are serious enough that he has yet to post a K/BB ratio over 2.00 at any of his full-season stops. Injuries are also a concern as he suffered a stress fracture in his elbow last season and had Tommy John surgery in 2008. Still, he's a talented pitcher (2009 Double-A Texas League Pitcher of the Year) that is probably best suited to pitch out of the bullpen. Should he trim down his walk rate, he could become a real force for the Rockies bullpen.

Deduno returned last season following Tommy John surgery. He was lights out at Double-A Tulsa, earning Pitcher of the Year honors in the Texas League. Deduno has outstanding movement on a 95-mph fastball and a wicked curveball, which is his out pitch. Ultimately, commanding his moving fastball and biting curve will be the keys to his success, and he could start or pitch in relief if his arm is sound. Deduno's chances of making the rotation this season are slim, but he's on the Rockies' radar, and his progress should be followed carefully. It's possible he'll be part of the bullpen in 2010, but he won't be closing games, so his fantasy value should be viewed on a long-term scale.

Deduno missed the season following Tommy John surgery. He returns this season to Tulsa, having been added to the 40-man roster, with a chance to make quick progress to the Rockies' bullpen. Not a bad endgame/sleeper pick.