Matt Andriese

Andriese made 54 appearances in his first season as a full-time reliever, posting a 4.71 ERA over 70.2 innings of work. His 3.72 FIP was nearly a run better, however, as his strikeout rate jumped to 25.5%, solidly above his previous career high of 22.9%. He also kept the ball on the ground at a career-best 50.3% percent clip. His fastball velocity continued to rise, as it's done in each of his five seasons, coming in at 92.5 mph. That's still not a particularly noteworthy velocity, however, and even if Andriese is able to bring his ERA in line with his FIP, he still won't look like a high-leverage weapon. While the 30-year-old should be a useful arm for the Diamondbacks in his sixth big-league season, his clearest path to fantasy relevance probably involves moving back into the rotation, something which doesn't appear likely.

Andriese took a step back in his fourth major-league season, as he finished with a career-low five starts (plus 36 relief appearances) and a career-high 5.26 ERA. Judging by the underlying numbers, Andriese was largely the same pitcher he was in 2017, though that's hardly reason for optimism, as he's now been unremarkable at best for two straight seasons. His roughly average 22.9% strikeout rate did represent a career best, and he only walked 7.4% of opposing hitters, but he gave up 15 homers in 78.2 innings, leaving him with a 4.69 FIP. If the HR/FB regresses, perhaps Andriese will be able to maintain a role as a back-end starter. Chances are he will begin the year as a swingman.

The versatile Andriese had filled a swingman role for his first two Rays seasons, but left 2017 spring training as a starter. In 18 outings (17 starts), the right-hander posted his highest rates of strikeouts (8.0 per nine), swinging strikes (a solid 11.0 percent) and infield popups (15.2 percent). Andriese impressed in his first 12 starts, going 5-1 with a 3.54 ERA and 55 strikeouts through 61 innings, and his changeup once again stymied opponents. Unfortunately, Andriese missed more than two months with a stress reaction in his hip and finished with his highest ERA (4.50), walk rate (2.9) and HR/9 (1.67) while allowing the sixth-highest rate of hard contact (38.7 percent, per FanGraphs) among pitchers with 80-plus innings. Perhaps the injury deserves blame, but he is an incomplete product who needs more skills growth before fantasy owners get too excited. Andriese will likely have to compete for a rotation spot in spring training.

Andriese's 2016 season included two separate stints as a starter, a bullpen tenure and another stretch at Triple-A Durham. The 27-year-old saw a 6-2 pre-All-Star-break record flip the other direction after the Midsummer Classic despite an improvement in his strikeout rate. Andriese doesn't quite stand out in any one category, largely profiling as an average strikeout pitcher with serviceable control for much of his minor league career, as well during his two major league seasons. Therefore, heading into 2017, the Rays likely see Andriese in the same role he finished 2016 -- as a back-end starter. He's certainly capable of providing double-digit wins if he can remain free of injury, but that's about the extent of his upside.

The Rays used Andriese basically wherever they needed him as a rookie in 2015, moving him between Tampa Bay and Durham several times while deploying him as both a reliever and spot starter. He didn’t perform particularly well in either role, finishing with a mediocre 4.11 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 65.2 innings. He also struggled somewhat with the long ball, allowing more than a home run per nine innings. That’s somewhat understandable given that he uses some breed of fastball almost 70 percent of the time with average velocity, but it’s hard to see how he grows from that. He’ll likely serve in the same role in 2016: a depth option in the rotation and a long reliever when the bullpen needs some help. Unless a series of calamities befalls the Rays rotation, it’s hard to see him getting anywhere near the number of consistent appearances needed to be fantasy relevant, never mind his actual effectiveness when he’s on the mound.

Though Andriese struggled somewhat with Triple-A Tucson last season (4.45 ERA in 12 appearances), he showed promise at the Double-A level prior to his promotion (2.37 ERA over 15 starts). He has good control of his pitches (2.1 BB/9), and the move to Tampa following a seven-player swap between the Padres and Rays in January will likely benefit him, given the Rays' track record in developing pitching prospects.