Randall Delgado

The D-backs were getting quality innings from Delgado as both a starter and reliever in 2017 before an elbow injury surfaced in mid-July and cut his season short. The initial diagnosis was a mild flexor strain, which was confirmed in September by Dr. James Andrews after Delgado experienced stiffness during a rehab appearance. Although he did not undergo surgery, Delgado had a platelet-rich plasma injection to treat the strain in late September. In November, a follow-up MRI showed that Delgado's forearm was healing as expected, and he was scheduled to begin his throwing program in late December, giving him every opportunity to be ready with the rest of the team's pitchers in February. The success in 2017 was driven by a walk rate that Delgado trimmed in half from his previous career levels, which was backed by a career-high 68.0 percent first-pitch strike rate. If healthy, look for him to return to a swing role in the Arizona bullpen.

Delgado took a bit of a step back in 2016, along with most of Arizona's other pitchers. After posting a 3.25 ERA in 2015, the righty saw that figure jump more than a run to 4.44 last season. Delgado owns a career 4.15 ERA and 4.31 FIP across six MLB seasons, indicating that 2015 might have been a bit of an outlier. Delgado's K/9 also regressed from 9.1 in 2015 to 8.2 in 2016, but again it's the 2016 number that's closer to his career average (7.7). While Delgado has moved into a fairly high-leverage role with the Diamondbacks the past two seasons, recording 20 holds during that span, he's probably best served as a lower-leverage middle reliever or long reliever. However, Arizona did little to improve what was a disastrous bullpen last year aside from signing Fernando Rodney to close, so Delgado may remain in a setup role by default.

Delgado may have found his niche as a relief pitcher. After three primarily mediocre seasons as a starter, Delgado moved to the Arizona bullpen in 2014 (though he still made four starts that year). His ERA was an unsightly 4.87, but he struck out 86 batters in just 77.2 innings. In 2015, Delgado lowered his ERA to 3.25 as he pitched in relief in all but one of the games he played, and he struck out 73 batters across 72 innings. Delgado bumped his strikeout rate to 9.6 K/9 over the last two seasons with the role change, after previously failing to eclipse the 7.5 K/9 mark. If Delgado continues to display strikeout prowess as a reliever, he could find himself in more high-leverage spots, perhaps even save situations. A fantasy afterthought as a starting pitcher, Delgado is slowly getting on the radar as a member of the Diamondbacks' bullpen.

The Diamondbacks surprisingly gave up on Delgado as a starter last season, even in a year where the rotation was ravaged by injuries. A bullpen role seemed to suit Delgado well, as he improved as the season progressed and posted a 24.7% K% along with a 7.8% BB% in the second half of the season. As a starter, Delgado's reliance on two pitches made him vulnerable to hard contact, especially as opposing teams saw him a second or third time through the batting order. Additionally, he was topping out at 93 mph with his average fastball after making the move to the bullpen, enabling his fastball to play up a bit more. Commanding that offering is still crucial to Delgado's success, as the pitch is fairly straight and lacks the sink necessary to induce consistent groundballs. A big part of his success in 2014 came with the addition of a slider, an offering that may tempt the team to give him another look as a starter to begin spring training.

Delgado received a callup in June despite a pretty poor showing in Triple-A Reno. He was serviceable for the Diamondbacks though, eventually taking over a rotation spot. When he keeps the ball down he can be very solid, so hopefully his experience last season will help him develop that particular part of his arsenal. Barring a significant pitching staff shakeup, Delgado will likely make the back end of the rotation, but he is prone to hard contact when he leaves pitches up in the zone, and that trait can be particularly costly in a hitter-friendly home park like Chase Field.

Delgado is immensely talented, but is he going to be able to find innings in the Braves' starting rotation? Even with Brandon Beachy out until the 2013 All-Star break, it appears that Delgado will not be a part of the initial starting rotation in Atlanta. Another stint in the minors could help Delgado work through his control issues, as that may be the one thing holding him back. It's not that he has had a ton of walk trouble -- his BB/9 has hovered around 4.0. On just about any other MLB team, Delgado would be at least a fifth starter. The possibility remains that the Braves could use Delgado or another starting pitcher as trade fodder to fill a need in their lineup. Keep in mind he was very nearly traded for Ryan Dempster last summer. Regardless, fantasy owners will need to monitor the Braves' rotation in case he or another young pitcher gets an opportunity.

Delgado, one of the Braves' top pitching prospects, began last season in Double-A and ended September in Atlanta's rotation. He began the season at Double-A for a second consecutive year and improved with a 3.66 ERA and 8.8 K/9IP, but didn't have great control with 3.5 BB/9IP. He still moved up to Triple-A and made four strong starts with a 10.6 K/9IP. When several injuries hit the Atlanta rotation, he made five starts in September with mixed results. He had a 2.52 ERA in those starts, but just a 12:11 K:BB ratio and didn't last more than five innings in any outing. He also had some worrisome signs at all three levels, as his control wasn't great and he allowed more than a home run per nine innings at both Triple-A and in the majors. Still, all his numbers must be taken in the context that he was just 21 years old last season. He's shown good velocity (92.4 mph average fastball in the majors) and has improved at every level. He'll compete for the fifth starter job this spring. He may begin the season at Triple-A, but should be a permanent fixture in Atlanta's rotation before too long.

Delgado looks set for a rapid rise to the majors after dominating at High-A Myrtle Beach as a 20-year old. He had a 2.76 ERA with a 120:32 K:BB ratio in 117.1 innings at Myrtle Beach before holding his own with a 4.74 ERA and 42:20 K:BB ratio in 43.2 innings in eight starts at Double-A. Delgado can reach 96 mph with his fastball and improved his control last season. A strong start at Double-A could see him in the majors as early as the second half of 2011. He has the potential to be a No. 1 or No. 2 starter with his combination of velocity, control and success at an early age.