Heath Hembree

Hembree appeared in a career-high 67 games for the Red Sox last season, logging a personal best 20 holds in the process. Working primarily in the sixth and seventh innings, Hembree served as an effective bridge to the late-inning corps, especially in the first half when he posted a 3.79 ERA in 40.1 frames. Hembree tired down the stretch, losing a tick or two off his four-seamer as his ERA ballooned to 5.03 in 19.2 post-break stanzas. The swoon initially cost Hembree a spot on the postseason roster, but he was added as an injury replacement, working in all three series. Hembree's 29.2 K% was a career best, though a spotty 10.5 BB% makes him hard to trust in the later innings. He should return to a similar role, amassing a goodly number of holds for a team primed to score a lot of runs again. That said, his inconsistent control is best avoided except in deeper AL-only formats.

Heath Hembree made the I-95 trip between Pawtucket and Boston five times during the 2016 season, making appearances in each month for a Red Sox bullpen that needed the help, particularly early in the season when Boston's starters made a bad habit of not going deep into games. Hembree was a multi-inning savior, posting a career-best 2.65 ERA in a career-high 51 MLB innings. He struck out 8.3 batters per nine innings and was quite capable in the middle-relief role. For the first time in his career, the right-hander threw more innings in the majors than he did in the minors. His work wasn't enough to get him a spot on the postseason roster, probably due to his less-than compelling numbers against left-handed hitters (career .858 OPS, .890 in 2016). Heading into 2017, the pre-arbitration 27-year-old has no options left, so the Red Sox would need to expose him to waivers if they want him to start the season at Triple-A. There are openings in the bullpen and Hembree is definitely in the mix.

Hembree mostly toiled in the bullpen at Triple-A Pawtucket, using his mid-90s fastball and slider mix for some degree of success. It was all relatively pedestrian stuff for the right-hander, who was once considered a closer prospect in the San Francisco organization, but is settling into a middle-relief role with the Red Sox. He’s made it up to Boston each of the last two seasons and got a healthy look in 2015 when he appeared in 22 games, most of it coming at the tail end of the season when the Red Sox were playing out the string. Aside from an April appearance when he allowed six runs in an 18-7 loss, Hembree pitched reasonably well for Boston, giving up just four runs over his final 24 innings. In theory, Hembree is in the mix for one of several bullpen slots, but he needs to command his offerings more consistently in order to stick at the big league level.

Hembree was once ticketed as a future closer when he was pitching in the San Francisco organization, but he was dealt to Boston in the Jake Peavy deal and his future is less certain. As a closer at Triple-A Fresno, Hembree had a 3.89 ERA with 40 hits and 13 walks in 39.1 innings. Perhaps the bloom was off the future-closer projection before he even got to Boston. He has a mid-90s fastball but struggles to command it. With the Red Sox, he was on the shuttle between Triple-A Pawtucket and Boston. The Red Sox have some open slots in the bullpen for 2015 and Hembree will be given an opportunity as a middle reliever, but the right-hander has minor-league options remaining and Boston's main focus is left-handed help in the bullpen. Look for him to start the season back in Triple-A.

The flamethrowing righty finally put a strong season together in the minors last year, posting a 4.07 ERA with 35 saves for Triple-A Fresno. The strikeouts (10.3 K/9 with Fresno) have always been there, but the added control (2.6 BB/9) is what earned him a September callup. His success continued in the majors as he didn't allow a run in 7.2 innings with the Giants. Hembree even showed a sign of maturity as he dialed his fastball velocity back slightly in the majors to assure that he exhibited pinpoint control. The success he experienced coupled with his approach in the majors have all but guaranteed a middle-relief spot for Hembree in the Giants' bullpen in 2014.

Hembree appeared in 39 games for Triple-A Fresno registering a 4.74 ERA in 38 innings along with a strikeout rate of 8.7 K/9. The right-hander features a fastball that sits around 96 mph, and can get as high as 99 mph. He will also feature a hard slider and improving changeup. Hembree's numbers at Triple-A are a little misleading considering his below average 57.8 percent strand rate. His 3.88 FIP is a better indication of his true talent level. His control continues to be an issue (4.7 BB/9), but he could be a factor in San Francisco during the second half of 2013.

Hembree is getting a look in big league camp this spring and projects as an eventual late-inning option thanks to a power arsenal that includes a high-90s fastball and good slider. If Brian Wilson struggles to return to form following elbow trouble in 2011, Hembree may emerge as the best long-term target to take over the ninth inning for the Giants.