Sonnanstine has never thrown very hard, usually in the 85-89 mph range, so once he doesn’t know where the ball is going, he’s extremely flammable. The Rays found that out the hard way last season as Sonnanstine’s walk rate increased from 1.72 BB/9 all the way to 3.09 BB/9. Without his standard command, Sonnanstine allowed a mind-blowing 19 home runs in just 99 2/3 innings — or 1.72 HR/9. After putting up a 6.61 ERA over his first 15 starts, the Rays demoted him at the end of June. Sonnanstine fared better in nine starts with Triple-A Durham, posting a 4.40 ERA and 36/9 K/BB ratio in 57 1/3 innings, but after returning to the Rays as a September call-up, he was even worse than when he left, allowing 15 runs and four home runs in 18 innings (7.50 ERA) while compiling an ugly 10/12 K/BB ratio. Naturally, it’s no small leap to say he doesn’t have much of a shot to start the season in the starting rotation, let alone as an extra arm in the bullpen. He shouldn’t be anywhere near your fantasy radar until he rediscovers his command on the major league level.

Can this guy really be considered a major league starter at this point?