Tim Stauffer

Stauffer's days as a starter seem to be over, but his relative success out of the bullpen -- a 3.75 ERA and 64:20 K:BB ratio across 69.2 innings in 43 appearances -- still makes him a useful pitcher for the Padres. He is expected to hold down a spot in middle relief in the spacious confines of Petco Park.

The 2012 season was a lost one for Stauffer as he battled a triceps and elbow injury that limited him to just one start. In late August he had surgery to help repair the flexor tendon in his elbow, a procedure that is likely to cloud his timetable as it relates to the start of the upcoming season. In the offseason he was waived by the Padres and elected for free agency. Stauffer's new team will undoubtedly be concerned about not only his health, but also his ability to pitch away from Petco Park (4.75 career road ERA). Given all of this, Stauffer is a risky investment for any fantasy owner in 2013.

Some would think that a jump in ERA from 1.82 in 2010 to 3.73 in 2011 would indicate a major decline, but considering Stauffer started 24 more games and threw over 100 more innings last year while maintaining similar K/BB and K/9IP totals, he proved his consistency and that he is maturing as a starter. From a stuff standpoint, there's nothing overwhelming about him and for a guy who pitches half his games at Petco, the 12.5 percent HR/FB rate was a bit much. But as a groundball pitcher with a career 6.17 K/9IP, he's definitely serviceable as a middle-of-the-rotation pitcher. He should slot in as the Padres' No. 3 starter in 2012.

Stauffer got off to a great start last season (18 scoreless innings), before an appendectomy sidelined him for a month. Once back, he pitched mainly out of the bullpen with a handful of starts coming in September. He showed great command with a 2.92 K/BB ratio as a reliever. He also raised his groundball rate to 54.5 percent. Should he remain a long reliever in 2011, his value will be limited, but if he moves into the rotation, he could bring a nice reward to those who take a chance on him.

Surprisingly effective just a year after labrum surgery, Stauffer held his own for a while in the Padres' rotation before seeming to tire late in the year. It counts as a win for a player who was the fourth pick in the 2003 draft, and now just is hanging on for a fourth starter's job. Among the many candidates, Stauffer may have the third-best upside, behind Latos and Poreda, and is worth a late-round pick.

Stauffer was a hot prospect in 2004 at age 22. He hasn't done much for his stock since then. Stauffer's Triple-A ERA exceeded 5.00 in 2005 and 2006; he dropped the figure somewhat in 2007 (4.34), but Stauffer was rocked in both of his major league starts and likely needs to prove himself at Triple-A before receiving another shot. He doesn't throw particularly hard and needs pinpoint control to be effective. That hasn't been the case over the past three seasons, as Stauffer has allowed 436 hits and 105 walks in 359 Triple-A innings.

Stauffer spent most of 2006 in Triple-A and did not post good numbers. The Padres still believe he has potential, but he has regressed considerably since a very good 2004 season. Stauffer should begin the season in Triple-A and faces a closing window of opportunity. He isn't much of a strikeout pitcher and has been allowing too much solid contact over the past two seasons.

In his first season in the majors, Stauffer was plain ineffective. He enters the 2006 season without a guaranteed a roster spot, much less a berth in the rotation. There's some upside here if he can translate his minor league stats to the bigs.

Out of the college ranks, the third overall pick in 2003 ripped through three levels in 2004 and has to be considered a strong candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation in the upcoming season. He wasn't dominant enough at the Triple-A level that he's screaming to get on the major league roster, so the club may initially look to veteran lefty Darrell May for the final spot. For all intents and purposes, the 22-year-old is ready and becomes an instant ROY candidate if he impresses enough in the spring to warrant the spot.

The Padres made Stauffer the fourth overall pick in the 2003 draft. An advanced prospect, he has an impressive collegiate resume, and should be fast-tracked through system. Armed with a low-90's fastball and the complete arsenal, comparisons to Greg Maddux are inevitable, but it's unfair to hold a young pitcher to the standard of a talent that rare and unusual. Think Brad Radke with a better fastball at the A-ball level in 2004.