Brad Bergesen

Bergesen moved into a swingman role for the Orioles in 2011, starting 12 games and relieving another 22. Despite the change in roles, his performance remained poor. Bergesen's ERA shot up to 5.70 as he severely struggled to strand runners, allowing nearly 10 percent more baserunners to score than the average pitcher. At this point, there is little reason Bergesen can break the chains of mediocrity. His value to the Orioles as a rubber-armed innings eater significantly exceeds what he can offer in the traditional rotisserie categories.

Bergesen was a pleasant surprise in 2009, but he struggled from the outset in 2010. As a control pitcher, Bergesen relies on getting players out with the ball in play. However, he allowed 26 home runs in 2010, the same number as he gave up throughout several levels in the previous two seasons combined. With the organization stocked on starters the Orioles may try to convert him into a long reliever, where his arsenal could be a better fit given his ability to induce groundballs, but he doesn't miss enough bats to project into a high-leverage role.

Bergesen was the first of a young wave of Baltimore starters to arrive on the scene in 2009. Though he didn't come with nearly as much hype as Chris Tillman and Brian Matusz, Bergesen may have been the biggest surprise after a 7-5 season. He missed the last month when a ball struck his ankle, but he will be ready for spring training. Bergesen's stuff doesn't blow anyone away but he lures hitters into bad contact and induces plenty of outs on the ground. For now, consider Bergesen a strong candidate for the fourth or fifth spot in the rotation.