Ryan Webb

Webb was a target of owners who were fading Tommy Hunter as the Orioles' closer to begin last season, but that endeavor failed to yield fruit. Fading Hunter was a good idea, but Zach Britton emerged to take over the ninth inning for Baltimore. For Webb, the surface numbers didn't reflect the peripherals, as he cut down his walk rate (career low 5.8%) while missing bats at a slightly greater clip (17.9%), but pitched to the highest full-season ERA of his career (3.83). There's still room for improvement against lefties, as Webb walked them at a 13.0% rate last season. Mixing a fastball, slider and changeup, Webb's value comes mostly from his ability to induce grounders (48.7%). The Orioles will slot him into their stable of middle relievers again in 2015, where he could be considered for ninth-inning duty if Britton is unable to sustain his breakout.

Webb continued to lean on his sinker during the 2013 campaign and recorded his fifth straight professional season with a groundball rate north of 50%. In fact, he put together the finest campaign of his career at age 27, posting career-bests in innings (80.1), strikeouts (54) and WHIP (1.21). Webb recorded a 2.91 ERA in 66 appearances while locking up five holds and a couple of wins for the Marlins. His pitch-to-contact approach and ability to go multiple innings should add value in a middle-relief role, although his skillset and peripherals are not completely unlike those of former Orioles closer Jim Johnson. Most likely, Webb won't be more than a fallback option to save games in 2014, but he could yield a surprising amount of success in the role if he's ever given the opportunity.

Webb spent a bit of time moving between the majors and the minors early in 2012, but he rallied after the All-Star break to put up a surprisingly effective season out the Marlins' bullpen. Following the midsummer classic, Webb posted a sparkling 1.78 ERA albeit with a poor 1.74 WHIP over his final 25.1 innings. Ultimately, his 4.03 ERA was smoke and mirrors, as he posted a mediocre 44:20 K:BB for the season. Webb’s power sinker has helped him to a career 57.9 percent groundball rate, which should continue to provide him with chances to work in middle relief.

Webb's hard sinker seems like an impressive weapon, but as yet the results in the big leagues have been decidedly average. He pitched less than an inning per appearance as he was mainly relied on when the Marlins needed a double play or to keep the ball in the infield, and that will likely be his role again in 2012. He's pure fungible middle-relief filler.

Webb spent the majority of 2010 with the Padres (he was also at Triple-A Portland) pitching out of the bullpen. He doesn't have dominant stuff and his control is marginal, but he knows how to induce groundballs at a high rate (62.3 percent). If he can work on his control, he could round into a nice reliever who's able to get most righties and the occasional lefty out. In the offseason he was traded to Florida. It's doubtful he ends up with a late-inning role there, but stranger things have happened.

Webb had never succeeded for any length of time at any level of the minors when the Padres traded Scott Hairston for him and shoved him into their bullpen. This could work out, but Webb is behind a half-dozen guys with comparable skills and stronger resumes.

The A's thought enough of him to add him to the 40-man roster following the season, no doubt influenced by Webb's 6-foot-6 frame. His numbers in the minors continue to be pretty pedestrian (130 innings, 165 hits, 44 walks, 94 Ks) but he has size and youth (he's 23) on his side.