Mark Hendrickson

Hendrickson was ineffective in the rotation, but he pulled his weight out of the bullpen for Baltimore (3.44 ERA, 37:14 K:BB ratio). It's likely he will fill a similar role for a team in 2010, shuttling between the back end of a rotation and long relief as needed. However, there is little upside for a 35-year-old with a career 5.00 ERA, unless a permanent shift to bullpen work leads him to similar success as Darren Oliver.

His 2008 ended up looking an awful lot like his 2007, only with more walks, a trend that isn't going to earn him big bucks from anyone. As a veteran lefty he'll keep getting chances but he's never had an especially pronounced platoon split, so a LOOGY role seems as unlikely as another starting gig. Still, the Orioles will give him a chance at a rotation spot during spring training after signing him in December.

Hendrickson had a disappointing season for the Dodgers in 2007, going 4-8 with a 5.21 ERA. Despite being a lofty 6-9, Hendrickson's fastball rarely touches 90 mph, and his secondary stuff is nothing special. On a more positive note, Hendrickson managed to lower his walk rate to a career-best 2.1 BB/9, while he also seemed to find himself as a reliever after losing his spot in the rotation, posting a 3.69 ERA and 41:10 K:BB in 46.1 innings out of the bullpen. Hendrickson made close to $3 million in 2007 and the Dodgers didn't risk taking him to arbitration. He'll likely be used as a long reliever or spot starter wherever he lands.

It's hard to argue with the 6-foot-9 Hendrickson's decision to leave the NBA for baseball as he earned close to $2 million last year, but he's simply not a good pitcher. Being left-handed might keep him around a few more years, but a guy with a career 4.98 ERA and no starting job in 2007 should be avoided.

You're just never going to be a good major league pitcher if you get 30 starts a year from age 29 to 31 and never post an ERA better than 4.80 or strike out more than five batters per nine innings. That's true even if he started late due to an NBA career. He's not a lock to keep his job as a major league rotation pitcher this season.

Hendrickson improved his gopheritis a little in 2004 by allowing one homer every 8.7 IP, as opposed to one every 6.6 IP in 2003. He still can't miss bats, however, striking out just four for every nine innings. He'll compete for a spot in the back of Tampa Bay's rotation, but even in deep AL-only leagues there are better fifth starter options.

That didn't go well. Heck, even the Tigers beat Hendrickson in 2003. Righties slugged .544 off him for the year. He could start the year as Tampa Bay's fifth starter but he'll go undrafted in most leagues.

An intriguing player for 2003 following a solid final two months in Toronto after his promotion from Triple-A. Granted, three of four starts came against Tampa Bay and Baltimore (twice), but he's going to enter spring training as one of Toronto's top four starters. A converted basketball player, he hasn't been pitching long. Don't be afraid to go the extra buck on draft day if he shows progress in spring.