Joe Palumbo

In a perfect world, Palumbo would have spent all of 2019 in the upper levels, and we would be eagerly awaiting the MLB debut of a 6-foot-1 southpaw with a plus fastball and a career 10.7 K/9 in the minors. Unfortunately, Texas quickly ran out of healthy, competent starters, and with Palumbo already on the 40-man roster, he was used as an emergency starter -- his first two MLB starts came before his first Triple-A start. He unsurprisingly got hit around early and often, although he still managed a well-above-average 25.9 K%. Fantasy managers are not a forgiving bunch, so while we shouldn't have expected this legitimate prospect with No. 3 starter upside to have initial success, his struggles have nonetheless taken all of the shine off. His curveball could be a second plus pitch and his changeup is a fine third pitch. If he improves his command slightly, he could still reach his mid-rotation ceiling.

What should have been a breakout 2017 campaign was axed when Palumbo required Tommy John surgery after just three starts. The 6-foot-1 southpaw dominated when he returned in late 2018, but it was so late in the season that few took proper notice. He logged a 2.48 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 44 strikeouts in 36.1 innings across stops at High-A and Double-A. Palumbo has borderline plus command, which allows his 93-95 mph fastball to easily work as a plus offering. He finishes hitters with a 60-grade curveball and also mixes in a 50-grade changeup. With good health, Palumbo should have no problem producing like a No. 3 starter, and he could even surpass that if his feel for his changeup improves. Durability concerns are legitimate, but given his stuff and proximity to the big leagues, Palumbo qualifies as a true sleeper in dynasty leagues. He could push to 100-110 innings this year, some of which may come in the majors.

A run of seven starts to close out the season morphed Palumbo from fringe prospect to stealth high-upside arm in the lower levels of the Rangers' system. He went five-plus innings in all seven starts and posted a 2.37 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 39:10 K:BB in 38 innings after switching roles from closer to ace at Low-A. A slender 6-foot-1, Palumbo does not cut the figure of a traditional starter, which is perhaps why he began his professional career as a reliever and continued in that role for his first 26 appearances in 2016. However, he has a mid-90s fastball, a plus curveball and developing changeup, so his repertoire may be able to consistently turn over a lineup. Palumbo, a 30th-round selection in 2013, cut his walk rate from 14.3 percent in 2015 to 9.1 percent last year, which strengthens the notion that he could make it as a starter with continued refinement. He won't be under the radar much longer if his success as a starter continues at High-A High Desert.