Carter Capps

Four months after Capps underwent Tommy John surgery in March of 2016, the Padres acquired him, hoping he'd set up or work in save chances sometime in 2017. They had to remain patient, however, as an early-season setback during his rehab sent him to the 60-day disabled list. When called up in August, he struggled with a 6.57 ERA and only seven strikeouts in 12.1 innings. His unique delivery looked less effective, and his velocity touched the low 90s instead of his usual high 90s. Capps' latest obstacle will be recovery from surgery to correct thoracic outlet syndrome. Although the Padres expect the right-hander to be ready for Opening Day, fantasy owners may again have to play the waiting game. In deeper formats, it may be worth the stash with the hope he can deliver something close to 2015 (1.16 ERA, 16.8 K/9) and/or take over as closer if the Padres trade Brad Hand.

Capps was shipped to the Padres in July as part of the Andrew Cashner deal, despite the fact that he was just four months removed from undergoing Tommy John surgery. With the move, Capps should have a clear path to the ninth inning, after riding shotgun to A.J. Ramos during his time with the Marlins. The hard-throwing righty posted a gaudy 16.8 K/9 (49.2 percent strikeout rate) buoyed by a 25.4 percent swinging-strike rate with good control (2.0 BB/9) before suffering his elbow injury in the second half of 2015. Before going under the knife, Capps averaged 98.1 mph on his fastball, while mixing that offering with a nasty slider. Assuming that he everything goes as planned with the final stages of his recovery, he may be ready for Opening Day, and there is an excellent chance he will assume the closer role at some point soon after his return to the mound.

After a rough 2014 campaign and a horrid spring training, Capps was forced to begin the season with Triple-A New Orleans. Despite this, he was given another chance to pitch in the majors in May and stayed up for good. The fireballer dominated hitters, posting an absurd 49.2% K-rate, walking just 5.9% of batters and allowing a slim .168 BAA. His season was unfortunately cut short by an elbow injury in early August, and he ended up needing Tommy John surgery in March, which unfortunately rules him out for 2016 and a couple months in 2017 as well. A.J. Ramos' hold on the closer job becomes more secure as a result.

A change of scenery at the start of 2014 looked to be just what the doctor ordered for Capps, who consistently failed to harness his electric arsenal of pitches into steady production on the field despite being billed as one of Seattle’s finest prospect arms. Capps, however, spent much of his season taking orders from the doctors while spending four months on the disabled list with an elbow injury. The reliever returned in September to finish out the season on a strong note, striking out 10 batters in 8.2 innings pitched over eight appearances. Capps averaged over 97 mph on his fastball during his brief time with the Marlins last season, and he's still just 24 years old, leaving plenty of time for the Marlins' front office look good for buying low on the flame-thrower last offseason. A healthy Capps will slot nicely into a late-inning role setting up Steve Cishek at the start of the season.

Capps turned in a disappointing 2013 campaign for the Mariners. Coming off a year in which he dominated right-handed batters to the tune of a .212 BAA, Capps was hit hard last season from both sides of the plate. His BAA against right-handers ballooned to .288, and he allowed 12 homers in 59 innings after not allowing one long ball in 2012. What's more, the 6-foot-5 reliever, known for his 100-mph heater, saw his average fastball decline from 98.3 mph to 95.6. Capps was sent to Triple-A Tacoma midseason to work on the mechanics of his three-quarter delivery. His return seemed to be going well initially, but nine walks and seven earned runs in 9.1 September innings showed that Capps is still searching for answers. Perhaps he will find them this season. He still has that big fastball, good secondary stuff and a lot of upside, which likely led the Marlins to acquire him for Logan Morrison in December. Capps will look to rebound while working in a setup role in front of Steve Cishek in 2014, and he could be a candidate for the ninth inning if Cishek cedes the job.

The 6-foot-5 right-hander with a three-quarter delivery is know for his 100-mph fastball, but it was the development of his offspeed pitches that helped transform Capps from thrower to pitcher last season. A 2011 third-round pick, Capps dominated at Double-A Jackson - 1.29 ERA, 13.0 K/9 - and spent all of one game at Triple-A Tacoma (striking out three of four batters faced) before a promotion to Seattle where an improving curve, slider and 89-mph changeup became an important part of his repertoire. Capps, whose 98.3 mph average fastball ranked second in the majors last season, is ticketed for a late-inning role again this season. The Mariners have a few options for closer should Tom Wilhelmsen falter or be traded, and Capps is in the mix. As his offspeed pitches continue to develop, he should become even more nasty. Keep him on the closer-in-waiting radar.