Rick Ankiel

45-Year-Old PitcherP

Free Agent

2024 Stats

W-L

0-0

ERA

0.00

WHIP

0.00

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W-L

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WHIP

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2024 Fantasy Outlook

There was no outlook written for Rick Ankiel in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.

Bats L

Throws L

40 Man No

Height 6'1"

Weight 208

DOB 7/19/1979

Born Fort Pierce, FL

College None

Drafted 2nd Rd 1997 STL

Comeback appears unlikely

PFree Agent

Elbow

July 9, 2019

Ankiel's (elbow) attempt at return to the big leagues appears over, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

ANALYSIS
Ankiel was attempting to return as a pitcher 15 years after throwing his last major-league pitch, but elbow surgery in October set him back significantly. The plan was always a long shot, and the delay will probably wind up being enough for the 39-year-old to cancel his efforts entirely.

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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Rick Ankiel See More

Minor League Barometer: Promotion Time for Prospects

July 17, 2014

Corey Seager is among a number of prospects who have earned recent promotions as he'll head to Double-A for the Dodgers.

In Some Depth: Gaping Holes

September 9, 2013

The Mariners have gone through several catchers this season, but they have a long-term solution in 2012 first-round pick Mike Zunino. Ryan Eisner looks around the league at the biggest vacancies heading into the offseason.

Monday Lineup Card: Stults Stands Out

June 9, 2013

Past Fantasy Outlooks

2019

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

Ankiel announced in August he planned to pursue a return to professional baseball as a relief pitcher in 2019, but was then forced to undergo ligament reattachment surgery on his throwing elbow in October and may not be able to throw again until early summer. The 39-year-old exhibited significant control issues as a pitcher early in his career, which led to reinventing himself as an outfielder in 2005. Ankiel subsequently found some success as a power hitter with the Cardinals for a couple years, but has been retired since 2014. The comeback bid by itself was improbable enough and has now been further complicated with the elbow surgery, making it increasingly difficult to see Ankiel making an impact at the MLB level this season.

Ankiel struggled through the 2011 season for the Nationals producing a wOBA of .294 (second lowest of career) and a .127 ISO (career low). By producing the lowest swinging strike rate of his career (12.9 percent), Ankiel’s HR/FB ratio dropped to a career-low 8.9 percent. Last season was Ankiel’s best year in the field in terms of defensive analytics, and he can play three outfield positions. His career strikeout rate is too high (25.5 percent) and OBP is too low (.309) for him to be considered an everyday player, and he will mostly likely be a fourth outfielder in 2012.

Ankiel's career continued on a downward decline as he again struggled with injuries (missing two months with a quad injury) and poor plate discipline (71 strikeouts in just 211 at-bats) with too little offsetting power. Other than a game-winning home run in the playoffs, he was worse after being traded to Atlanta (.210/.324/.328) from Kansas City. While his overall numbers look poor and he hasn't been a major fantasy factor since 2008, he could be productive in a smaller platoon role as he can still hit righties (.801 OPS vs. right-handed pitchers last season). He'll likely work in a platoon role after signing a one-year deal with the Nationals.

It looks like 2007 is turning out to be the fluke in Ankiel's career. Though he had a strong first half in 2008, the injury-filled and power-depleted second half carried over into 2009, and the Cardinals are probably not going to have him back. Ankiel still has nice power, but poor plate discipline and a propensity for injury have exposed him as someone who should be just a part-time player. He should find a job as a fourth outfielder somewhere.

The feel-good story of 2007, Ankiel was on his way to providing a nice encore last season, hitting 20 homers before the All-Star break. Unfortunately, he only hit five home runs in the second half, and his season ended with surgery for a sports hernia. He's expected to be fine for 2009, but the Cardinals' outfield is getting crowded.

One of the feel-good stories of 2007 took a dark turn in September when Ankiel's name was linked to a human growth hormone shipment. Before the mini-scandal broke (he has been cleared of any official MLB violations), Ankiel hit 32 home runs for Triple-A Memphis and nine more in a month with the Cardinals. For the year, the former pitcher hit .285/.328/.535 in 172 at-bats in the bigs, and he could be the heir apparent to Jim Edmonds in center field. The power is nice, but Ankiel will have to work on his batting eye (BB:K ratio of 38:131 with Memphis and St. Louis) if he wants to be an everyday player.

Ankiel ruptured his knee during spring training, making 2006 another lost season. The former pitching phenom has tried to catch on with the Cardinals as an outfielder during the past two seasons and did show a little pop at two levels in 2005, but at age 27 and coming off of a serious knee injury, it's unlikely he'll make much of a contribution near the major league level.

After switching to the outfield in 2005, Ankiel hit a combined .259 with 21 HR and 75 RBI in Single-A and Double-A. The Cardinals were impressed enough that they added him to the 40-man roster and will give him a look in spring training as a possible extra outfielder and left-handed bat off the bench. If not, he'll have to clear waivers to return to the minor leagues.

The poster boy for wildness a few seasons ago, Ankiel walked just three batters in 2004, making stops at every level of baseball past rookie ball. Once he reached the big leagues Ankiel joined the bullpen, which looks to be his role in 2005. Should his tenuous hold on control continue, Ankiel is a dominating pitcher who will rack up the strikeouts (he has 12.83 strikeouts per nine innings pitched for his minor-league career.) The Cardinals will treat him tenderly, but a comeback even to this level is an unexpected surprise. Continued success will likely land Ankiel in increasingly more important roles.

Just when he started to look like a pitcher again, Ankiel blew out his elbow. Tommy John surgery in July of 2003 renders him a non-factor in 2004.

Now, more than two seasons removed from his stellar rookie season (3.50 ERA, 194/90 K/BB in 175 IP), Ankiel, who was shut down for most of last season with elbow and shoulder stiffness, will try once again this spring. While the sky is still the limit for the one-time phenom, the one-two punch of arm injury and Mark-Wohlers disease is a formidable foe. Still, for his upside alone, Ankiel is worth end-game consideration.

More Fantasy News

Resumes throwing

PFree Agent

Elbow

February 27, 2019

Ankiel played catch Wednesday for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery in October, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.