Paul Maholm

41-Year-Old PitcherP

Free Agent

2024 Stats

W-L

0-0

ERA

0.00

WHIP

0.00

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2024 Fantasy Outlook

There was no outlook written for Paul Maholm in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.

Bats L

Throws L

40 Man No

Height 6'2"

Weight 245

DOB 6/25/1982

Born Greenwood, MS

College Mississippi State

Drafted 1st Rd 2003 PIT

PCincinnati Reds

March 30, 2015

Maholm was released by the Reds on Monday.

ANALYSIS
He was competing for a spot in the Reds' bullpen, and will now look to catch on with another team, likely on a minor league deal. Maholm's career as a starter appears to be over, and he carries little fantasy intrigue as a middle reliever.

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Past Fantasy Outlooks

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

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2008

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2006

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2004

2003

The Dodgers transitioned Maholm to the bullpen in 2014 but the results in his new role weren't significantly better. There were signs of growth, however, in that his strikeout rate jumped from 3.5 K/9 over eight starts to 5.7 K/9 in his relief appearances. A closer look also reveals that Maholm's xFIP (3.85) was more than a full run lower than his 5.00 ERA as a reliever. His season ended in early August, when he suffered a torn ACL while covering first base, and he became a free agent in October. Whether he'll be ready to pitch on Opening Day is up in the air, and it's also possible that he'll be permanently cast as a left-handed reliever as he'll turn 33 in June. Although he can induce grounders at a high clip, Maholm may be limited to facing left-handed hitters after righties compiled a .296/.375/.472 line against him last season -- and similar lefty-right splits have been an issue throughout his career.

Maholm got off to a great start in 2013, going 3-0 with zero earned runs allowed and 20 strikeouts in his first three outings. It wasn't long, however, before the left-hander began showing his true colors, and he finished with a 10-11 record, a 4.41 ERA and a 6.2 K/9 over 153 innings. A wrist contusion cost him more than a month of action, and Maholm went on to post a 5.73 ERA after the All-Star break. Atlanta then left Maholm off the postseason roster, instead opting for 37-year-old Freddy Garcia to serve as the team's fourth starter in the NLDS. On a positive note, Maholm was much better at home (2.37 ERA) than on the road (5.91 ERA), and he held opposing southpaws to a .226/.262/.297 batting line. Still, even with the departure of Tim Hudson in the offseason, the Braves have several more promising starting options, so he's likely to move on to a new club in 2014.

After five mostly awful seasons in Pittsburgh, Maholm appears to have figured it out as of 2011. That year, his last with the Pirates, Maholm carried a 3.66 ERA though his strikeout, walk, and home run rates all stayed relatively the same. Maholm had previously been cursed by a high opponent batting average on balls in play, but that number has been drastically lowered in 2011 and 2012. After signing with the Cubs following his breakout 2011 he was traded at midseason to Atlanta, whose rotation had been devastated by injuries and ineffectiveness. With more steady run support, Maholm should at least provide wins and a high volume of innings in 2013.

Maholm was unlucky in 2011. Pittsburgh's offense seemed to go on strike whenever the lefty pitcher took the mound. He allowed three runs or fewer in 19-of-26 starts but went just 6-14 for the Bucs. Maholm actually flirted with a sub-3.00 ERA before he surrendered 17 earned runs in 22.2 innings in his last four starts. The team shut him down in mid-August with shoulder pain and he sat out the rest of the season. While Maholm generates groundballs, he's has always been more of an innings-eater than a star performer since he has a mediocre strikeout rate (5.4 K/9IP last season), but last year his groundball rate fell to career low (50 percent of batted balls). Add in the fact that he might not be 100 percent in 2012 and his immediate future appears cloudy at best. Still, he could win a spot in the Cubs rotation this spring if healthy after signing with Chicago.

By nearly every metric, Maholm's numbers continued down a slippery slope in 2010. His 5.0 K/9IP and 3.0 BB/9IP both represent downturns that have helped to see his earned run average worsen in each of the last three seasons (3.71 to 4.44 to 5.10), respectively. Maholm's name was once again bantered around in trade talks during the winter meetings in December. With his salary approaching the $6 million mark, the Pirates might want to move the 28-year-old innings eater. He doesn't strike out many batters -- 102 in 185.1 innings last year -- but his wins total could see a bump on a team that loses fewer than 105 games per season. Maholm will serve as the Bucs' No. 2 or 3 starter to begin the 2011 campaign.

Maholm tore through spring training last year and looked poised to break out. He got off to a 3-0 April start, but dealt with a knee injury that contributed to his poor performance the rest of the way. Maholm's final numbers -- a 4.44 ERA, 1.443 WHIP and a 119:60 K:BB ratio -- weren't anything special, but not too far off from what fantasy owners might expect again in 2010. At 27, he likely has a career year still ahead of him, but predicting when it may come is a risky business. As with all Pirates making more than $1 million per season, there's a chance the team moves him. If he goes to a contender, then his fantasy value obviously rises.

Maholm stepped up in a Pittsburgh starting rotation that saw the more highly touted Ian Snell and Tom Gorzelanny fall flat on their faces. Maholm gave the Bucs an honest outing every fifth day, starting 31 games while compiling 206.1 innings and a 3.71 ERA. He actually led the team in wins despite finishing with just nine victories. Some might worry that Maholm has thrown too many innings the last three years -- he has 560 IP -- at the still youthful age of 26, but he features a consistent delivery with little strain on his arm. From a fantasy perspective, all Maholm really offers is a decent earned run average, as his wins and K:BB ratio 139:63 won't help win many league titles. Still, fantasy owners could do worse than having Maholm as a depth starter on their fantasy squads, and he's a decent option in deeper leagues.

If you pick Maholm up in your fantasy draft, keep in mind that he pitches much better at home than on the road. His earned run average is nearly two runs better at PNC Park (3.68) than on the road (5.65). He's thought of as a No. 3 starter but there's still a chance that he could turn out to be more than that. He doesn't turn 26 until June and left-handers typically develop later than righties. Maholm recovered from losing nine of his first 11 decisions to post a 10-15 record by season's end. He doesn't strike out a ton of batters but features a decent K:BB ratio (105:49). If the Pirates decide to move Maholm -- he's on the cusp as an untouchable -- his numbers could improve nicely on a team with a productive offense.

The 2006 season proved to be a campaign of unrealistic expectations for Maholm. The 24-year-old former first-round draft posted a 2.16 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in six late-season starts for the Pirates in 2005. The reality of the situation, however, was that Maholm had put in more innings at the major-league level (41.1) than at Triple-A (35.2). Not only that, but he'd missed much of the 2004 season with a broken orbital bone. In other words, 2006 was more of a learning process than anything else. As a result, he should post better numbers in 2007. His control will play a key role in his success. Prior to the All-Star game Maholm compiled an awful 1.78 WHIP but after the break he lowered the ratio to a more manageable level (1.37).

Maholm made his major league debut in 2005, starting six games. He impressed with his poise and command, posting a 3-1 record with a 2.18 ERA in 41 1/3 innings. Maholm missed much of the 2004 season after getting hit by a line drive in the face, suffering a broken nose and a fractured orbital bone. He showed no ill-effects from the injury last year, going 7-3 at the Double-A and Triple-A levels before his recall. The young lefty actually has more innings at the major league level (41 1/3) than at Triple-A (35 2/3). He's one of Pittsburgh's brightest prospects, and the team is counting on him to take a regular turn in the starting rotation. It will be interesting to see how National League hitters react to him the second time around. It might be wise to temper preseason-hyped expectations for Maholm.

Maholm, who the Pirates made the eighth overall pick in the 2003 draft, suffered a frightening injury last May when he was struck in the face by a line drive while pitching for High Single-A Lynchburg. The young lefty should be back on track this season and has a chance to move up the organizational ladder fairly quickly where he figures to ride in on one of the next waves of young arms looking to make a mark in the bigs.

Maholm, whom the Bucs made the eighth overall pick in the 2003 draft, stepped right in and turned in a solid performance in his debut as a pro. In 34.1 innings at Class A Williamsport, the lefty posted a 1.83 ERA and struck out 32 batters. Hitters also hit just a .197 batting average against Maholm. He has a chance to move up the ladder fairly quickly after completing a successful career at Mississippi State.

More Fantasy News

PCincinnati Reds

March 18, 2015

Maholm has been told that he is now competing for a spot in the Reds' bullpen, the Cincinnati Enquirer's John Fay reports.