Jose Mijares

Mijares entered last season as one of the top setup men for the Twins, but struggled with his control by giving up 30 walks in 49 innings. He spent two weeks on the DL in May for a sore elbow and his season never got on track. His strikeout rate also fell to 5.51 K/9IP (from 7.71 K/9 IP in 2010) along with nearly a two mph decline his average fastball. Still, he has some bounce-back potential since he's just 27 years old and is one year removed from a strong season. Further, Mijares still gets out lefties (.698 OPS allowed to lefties last season amid his poor numbers). He'll work as a lefty specialist with the Royals after signing a one-year deal with Kansas City.

Mijares enters 2011 as Minnesota's primary left-handed setup man after another productive season that was limited by DL stints for elbow and knee injuries. He strikes out batters at a good rate (7.7 K/9IP) with a mid-to-upper-90s fastball and plus slider, but allows a few too many home runs. His conditioning and maturity have frequently been called into question, so make sure he's in good shape in spring training. Otherwise, he should provide the Twins with a steady late-inning option after several changes in the bullpen in the offseason.

After an impressive debut late in 2008, Mijares was surprisingly sent to Triple-A to start the 2009 season amid questions about his conditioning. He was called up in late April, and he quickly emerged as the most reliable setup option for Joe Nathan. Mijares strikes out batters at a good rate (8.03 K/9IP) with a mid-to-upper 90s fastball and plus slider. He does have some areas to worry about as he could improve his control (a decent 55:23 K:BB ratio), he allows a few too many home runs and his conditioning and maturity have frequently been called into question. He's also dominant against left-handed hitters (.480 OPS), which could limit him to a lefty-specialist role. Still, he enters the season as the first or second option to set up Nathan.

Mijares could be the top set-up man to Joe Nathan after an impressive, and unexpected, debut in September that saw him thrust into key situations late in games. Mijares broke his left elbow in a car crash in January and didn't start pitching until June. He looked dominant enough in an 11-game stint at Double-A New Britain (17:7 K:BB ratio in 15.1 innings) to earn a September promotion. With the Twins struggling to find solutions in the bullpen, Mijares was given a shot and impressed with his mid-to-upper 90's fastball and plus slider. He gave up just one run and three hits in 10.3 innings - including a scoreless eighth inning against the heart of the White Sox lineup to give the Twins a sweep of a key September series. If he's in shape this spring - conditioning has been an issue in the past - manager Ron Gardenhire has already shown enough faith in the rookie to make him the No. 2 option in the bullpen.

Mijares' development seemed to stall last year despite a 3.54 ERA at Double-A since he had just a 75:48 K:BB ratio. He has a mid-90's fastball and above average slider, which has helped him strike out more than a batter per inning the last two seasons (11.07 K/9IP at Double-A last season). He's been a little old for his competition, so his upside maybe limited, and his command needs improvement. Still, he could become an effective left-handed reliever in the majors if he rebounds with a strong season at Triple-A.

Mijares is a success story from Minnesota's Venezuelan academy who had a strong season at high-A Fort Myers. He's a little old for his level, but a strong season at Double-A could make him a factor in the majors by 2008.

Mijares is a success story from Minnesota's Venezuelan academy and had a 95/45 K/BB ratio in 66 1/3 innings between two levels last season. He pitched mostly in relief and likely needs a full season at High-A Fort Myers after playing five games there last season. He features a mid-90s fastball and could thrive in either a relief or starting role if his command comes around.