Tom Layne

On the surface, Layne had a poor season as a reliever in 2015. He had a 3.97 ERA, having allowed 21 earned runs in 47.2 innings while issuing 27 free passes in that time. So how did he last for 64 games? Boston’s bullpen was not good and they simply needed the arm, but also because Layne is was effective in the one role he was hired to fill – that of a lefty specialist. In 102 plate appearances against left-handed batters, Layne held them to a .144/.248/.170 line. Compare that to his split against right-handed batters – .322/.433/.517. In high-leverage situations, batters hit .125 with a .436 OPS against Layne. If the Red Sox can limit him to these types of matchups, Layne can thrive. Alas, if the starters don’t go deep into games and relievers are needed for multiple outs, Layne will need to face right-handed batters. He’s very much in the mix for a spot in the bullpen to start the season, but there is nothing here for fantasy owners to get excited about.

Layne was a non-descript offseason signee, who agreed to a minor-league contract and spent the first half of 2014 at Triple-A Pawtucket. The left-hander pitched well in spring training, but there wasn't room for an additional left-hander in Boston's bullpen as Andrew Miller, Craig Breslow and Drake Britton were all ahead of him. Layne went about his business at Triple-A, posting a career-high 9.9 K/9 and limiting left-handed batters to a .136 average. He eventually got the call up to Boston after the Red Sox traded Miller, and Breslow was a serial underperformer all season. Layne continued his good work at the major-league level, and was particularly effective against lefties (.159). The bullpen has some openings and Layne is well positioned to entering spring training with a specialist role.

Layne never showed an ability to control his pitches while in the minor leagues, which makes what he did in 26 games in the majors, walking just three of the 68 batters he faced in 2012, all the more remarkable. Moreover, he was able to strike out nearly 37 percent of the batters he faced, a level of success he never even so much as sniffed, while he was in the minors. With changes to his arm slot, Layne was able to deceive hitters and miss bats like never before. It's likely that he ends up as a lefty specialist in the Padres' bullpen, but he has some upside if he can continue to master the art of deception with his delivery.