Ray Black

After injuries delayed his development, Black debuted in the majors in 2018 as a 27-year-old. He flashed upside (33 strikeouts in 23.1 innings) but ultimately returned to Triple-A Sacramento to open the 2019 season. Black spent most of his time in the minors -- making just two appearances with the Giants -- before being traded to the Brewers at the end of July. The hard-throwing reliever made 15 appearances for Milwaukee down the stretch, posting a 5.14 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 14 innings. While Black misses a lot of bats thanks to his high-90s fastball, he'll need to whittle down his walk and home-run rates -- 11.5 BB% and 2.06 HR/9 through two big-league seasons -- if he wants to realize his potential as a high-leverage reliever. He'll enter spring training with the chance to carve out a key role for himself in Milwaukee's bullpen.

After elbow surgery cost him most of 2017, Black returned to pitch 23.1 innings in his big-league debut. His fastball, which averaged 97.9 mph, helped him to an impressive 34.7% strikeout rate and a decent 3.98 FIP. An incredibly low 53.6% strand rate inflated his ERA to an ugly 6.17. Assuming that strand rate normalizes, Black will have a chance to provide an ERA in the high 3.00s to go along with a high strikeout rate, which could give him deep-league fantasy value. He could even put himself in the closer conversation for the rebuilding Giants now that his walk rate sits at a manageable 10.5% rather than above 22% like it was in the minors from 2015 to 2017. He won't be in the saves mix to start the year, but keep him in mind should the Giants move relievers at the deadline.

The oft-injured flamethrower finished the 2016 campaign in a familiar place, on the disabled list. The Giants moved him to the 60-day DL after he proved ineffective at Double-A Richmond, posting a 4.88 ERA in 35 appearances out of the bullpen. The reason the Giants keep rolling Black out there despite an atrocious 7.2 BB/9 career mark is his strikeout potential (17.2 K/9) and ability to hit triple digits with his fastball. It is also the reason they moved him to the 60-day DL when they needed roster space; they did not want other teams claiming Black off of waivers in case he finally figured out how to control his overpowering arsenal. Even though the Giants struggled closing out games in 2016, it is unlikely they call up Black until he gets his minor league walk rate down to a reasonable level.

Black put up some eye-opening numbers with High-A San Jose in 2015. This should come as no surprise from a guy who can throw 103 mph. Black finished with a solid 2.88 ERA to go along with a ridiculous 18.4 K/9 (after posting an 18.1 K/9 in 2014), but also managed to walk a batter per inning. He is obviously all "stuff" at this point, and he will need to bring that horrendous walk rate down — even if it is at the expense of some strikeouts — if Black wants to sniff the majors this season. While he started five games last season, he projects more as a mid-to-late inning reliever. Look for him to begin the 2016 season in the minors despite being added to the 40-man roster in November.