John Danks

Danks got a full 190-plus innings under his belt in 2014 after two seasons marred by injury, but was a far less interesting pitcher than he was from 2008-2011. The lefty pitched in front of a below-average defense, but that did not appear to harm him much, as his 4.74 ERA aligns with his 4.76 FIP. He will likely fill out the No. 3 or 4 spot in the rotation, assuming he stays within the organization this year.

Danks missed the first two months of the season as he continued to recover from 2012 shoulder surgery. While he remained healthy for the rest of the season, he clearly was not the same pitcher as he was during his 2008-11 peak. His fastball averaged a career-low 89.3 mph, and he reacted by throwing more two-seamers than four-seamers. He exhibited expert command of the strike zone with a career-best 1.8 BB/9, but he missed the 6.0 K/9 mark for the second straight season. The lack of strikeouts, combined with some bad home-run luck and playing in front of a laughable White Sox defense resulted in just four wins in 22 starts. He remains under contract with the Sox for the next three years, and he should fill the No. 2 or 3 spot in the rotation for 2014.

It looked like Danks would take over the White Sox's top starter spot after signing a five-year extension in December 2011. Unfortunately, his season ended after nine disappointing starts, and he underwent shoulder surgery in August. He had some velocity issues during those nine starts, and he had a career-low 5.0 K/9, but we may be able to attribute some of those struggles to his shoulder issues. He should finish his rehab in time for spring training, and would move back into the middle of the rotation if that happens.

Danks suffered from some bad luck in 2011. He opened the year with an 0-8 record over his first 11 starts, and his .313 BABIP marked the first time that rate was above .300 since 2007. His skills actually improved, as Danks lowered his walk rate for the second year in a row, while delivering the second-highest strikeout rate of his career (7.13 K/9IP). Not surprisingly, his xFIP of 3.79 suggests he pitched better than his 4.33 ERA would lead you to believe, so some improvement should be expected. Now signed through 2016, he could start the year as the White Sox's No. 1 or 2 starter.

Danks set career highs in innings (213), strikeouts (162), wins (15) and WHIP (1.216) in 2010 all the while holding opposing batters to a .237 average. He might have been the White Sox's best starting pitcher, and he established himself as one of the better left-handed pitchers in the American League. His fastball gained a mile per hour from the previous two years, but he also used it less frequently. He posted a respectable 3.79 ERA in 17 home starts despite allowing 13 of his 18 home runs at U.S. Cellular Field. He should slot once again toward the top of the White Sox's rotation, and his stats should improve as he enters his age-26 season.

Danks solidified himself as one of the White Sox’s top starters in 2009. He threw a complete game (against the Indians) and topped 200 innings for the first time in his career. His strikeout rate dipped below 7.0 K/9IP for the first time in his short MLB tenure, but just barely. He used his slider to greater success and only went to his fastball about 50 percent of the time. Danks should be the third starter in the rotation to open 2010.

One of a number of Don Cooper success stories in '08, Danks learned a cut fastball that helped him attack right-handed batters and keep the ball in the park while not blowing up his walk rate or pitch counts. Last year was the upper end of his range thanks to a low home run rate. Like Mark Buerhle, though, Danks should be good for 200 innings and an ERA that runs from 3.50 to 4.50 depending on where the fly balls land.

Danks struggled for much of 2007, finishing up with a 6-13 record, a 1.540 WHIP and a 5.50 ERA. He's always had issues with the long ball and this season was no exception as he was taken deep 28 times. Danks doesn't feature lights-out stuff so he'll probably struggle again as a 23-year-old pitching in the big leagues, but it's far too soon to write him off. He'll begin the spring penciled in as the No. 4 starter, but will still need a strong spring to hold onto his job with some other young talent bidding for spots in the rotation.

Twenty one-year-old pitchers reaching Triple-A are a pretty rare breed, which puts Danks in pretty rare company before you start to consider his numbers. His numbers held up pretty well after a mid-season promotion from Double-A Frisco (67 hits, 72:34 K:BB rate in 70.2 innings at Triple-A; 74 hits, 82:22 K:BB rate in 69.1 innings at Double-A). Texas had been slow to promote Danks, having been burned by Juan Dominguez and Edinson Volquez in recent years, but he could see some time in the majors in 2007 after being traded to the White Sox. While he may not break into the rotation with Chicago this season, he could be an anchor for years to come.

Advancing to Double-A as a 20-year-old is an accomplishment in and of itself, so some struggles are to be expected. Danks pitched well in a 10-start audition in the California League before appearing in 18 games at Double-A Frisco. He didn't pitch particularly well (117 H, 34 BB in 98.1 IP), leading to a 5.49 ERA, but he did manage to fan 85 batters. He's got plenty of time to develop.

Danks struggled a bit after being promoted to high Single-A Stockton, but still managed 48 K in 55 IP despite a 5.24 ERA. He's just 19 years old and has to stay healthy first and foremost.

Texas' #1 pick in the 2003 June draft, Danks was plucked out of a Texas high school. Whether he follows the career path of Todd Van Poppel or Josh Beckett remains to be seen.