Dan Runzler

Runzler spent most of 2012 in Triple-A struggling out of the bullpen for Fresno while making six appearances for the Giants in September. A 3.39 FIP was more indicative of his season than his 6.00 ERA. He was hurt by an astronomical .442 BABIP and below average strand rate (62.2 percent). Runzler still throws hard while averaging 95 mph with his fastball, and has incorporated a curveball to go along with his slider. Control is still an issue, but he has a strikeout rate of 11.2 K/9 in his minor league career and has held left-handed hitters to a .253 wOBA in his major league career.

Runzler is interesting because his stuff is generally considered good, but he can’t put it together, despite strong strikeout rates. He had a 6.26 ERA while walking 16 batters over 27.1 innings in the majors last season, so while there’s some hope of turning him into a starter down the road, he’s shown no ability to even be an effective reliever. Runzler is a long shot to make San Francisco’s roster out of spring training, although it’s worth noting he has a career 11.40 K/9IP rate during his time in the minors.

Runzler allowed just one homer over 32.2 innings and finished with a 10.1 K/9IP ratio as a rookie last season, leading to a 3.03 ERA. Shaky control (5.5 BB/9IP) led to a poor 1.500 WHIP, but that type of strikeout ability combined with a strong groundball rate (2.0 G/F) could lead to something special. Runzler will work in middle relief in 2011.

Runzler began last season at Low-A, but was so effective throughout all of his stops in the minors, the left-hander found himself pitching for San Francisco in September. He fanned 83 batters over 59.0 innings with a ridiculous 0.76 ERA in the minors, so don't be surprised if Runzler becomes a major part of the Giants' bullpen in 2010. His average fastball velocity last year was a tremendous 94.7 mph.