Kyle Drabek

Between his struggles on the mound and a pair of Tommy John surgeries, Drabek looks like a borderline major leaguer, rather than the top prospect he once was. He owns a 5.37 ERA through 169.1 career innings and hasn't pitched at a dominant level since a 2009 stint in High-A ball. Last season, he bounced back from the second Tommy John procedure to work his way through the minors after the All-Star break, eventually landing in the Toronto bullpen in September. Drabek may compete for a rotation spot in spring training, but will likely end up in the bullpen or with Triple-A Buffalo.

Through his first five games in 2012, Drabek beat the Red Sox and Orioles, while also recording a quality start against the Rangers. It was downhill from there as his ERA (4.67) and WHIP (1.60) rose before he was shut down 13 games into the season. Drabek had the second Tommy John surgery in June and will likely miss most of 2013 as he rehabs his way back.

Drabek struggled with his command and control after breaking camp as a member of the starting rotation, before getting shipped down to Triple-A Las Vegas in June to try and work out the kinks. He didn't fare much better in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, but got a September callup and continued to struggle. His overall numbers (1.805 WHIP, 6.06 ERA, 6.3 BB/9IP in 78.2 innings for the Jays) are tough to stomach and he'll need to hit the reset button when spring training opens. He figures to get another crack at the starting rotation but there's still some growing pains to be had here, especially pitching against some of the juggernaut offenses in the AL East.

Drabek enjoyed a fine season at Double-A New Hampshire last year (7.3 K/9 in 27 starts) before skipping Triple-A and making three starts for the Jays in September. His command dipped a bit but it was still a nice season for the 22-year-old. The AL East is a tough place to get your feet wet, but he'll enter spring training with every chance to lock down a rotation spot, especially after the offseason trade of Shaun Marcum. Expect some growing pains as he adjusts to advanced competition.

Drabek, son of former major league pitcher Doug Drabek, established himself as the Phillies' top pitching prospect last year and he was traded to the Blue Jays in December in the Roy Halladay deal with the Phillies. Drabek began last year at High-A and posted a 10.8 K/9IP and a 3.89 K/BB ratio in 61.2 innings before being promoted to Double-A Reading. His performance dipped a bit at Reading as his K/9IP dropped to 7.1 while his K/BB ratio dropped to 2.45. Those ratios are still very solid but they are nowhere near the level of dominance Drabek showed in the Florida State League. The drop-off can likely be attributed to facing better hitters and some fatigue. Drabek underwent reconstructive elbow surgery in 2007 and had never exceeded 60 innings in a professional season before last year. He was shut down early to prevent injury and should be well rested for the start of the 2010 season. Expect him to return to Double-A with a move up to Triple-A if he dominates early. The move to Toronto may give him a quicker path to the majors, but we may not see him in Toronto until late 2011.

Son of Doug Drabek, Kyle is expected to be picked in the first round in the 2006 draft.