Chad Qualls

45-Year-Old PitcherP

Free Agent

2024 Stats

W-L

0-0

ERA

0.00

WHIP

0.00

Rest-of-Season Projections

W-L

ERA

WHIP

Unlock Our Projections

2024 Fantasy Outlook

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

Bats R

Throws R

40 Man No

Height 6'5"

Weight 205

DOB 8/17/1978

Drafted 2nd Rd 2000

Designated for assignment

PColorado Rockies

June 30, 2017

Qualls was designated for assignment prior to Friday's game.

ANALYSIS
The reliever returned from a back injury Monday, and earned two appearances on the mound against the Giants this past week. During his time on the bump, Qualls allowed two earned runs off four hits while just recording three outs, bloating his ERA to 5.40 for the season. The 38-year-old has been in the majors since 2005, and has been a part of the Rockies organization for the last year and a half.

Read More News

Pitching Stats

Loading Pitching Stats...

2017

2017 MLB Game Log

Calculate Stats Over Time

Just click on any two dates.

Scoring

FanDuel

DraftKings

Yahoo DFS

Sorare

Loading Pitching Game Log...

Minor League Game Log

Calculate Stats Over Time

Just click on any two dates.

Loading Minor League Pitching Game Log...

Advanced Pitching Stats

Loading Advanced Pitching Stats...

Defensive Stats

Loading MLB Defensive Stats...

Stats Vs Today's Lineup

Want more matchup stats?

View Chad Qualls vs. Batter Stats

Loading Matchup Stats...

Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Chad Qualls See More

NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

April 30, 2017

Jan Levine breaks down the NL waiver wire for the week as David Peralta is tearing it up at the plate for the Diamondbacks.

Regan's Rumblings: Preseason Closer Rankings

February 9, 2017

Dave Regan is back with his first Rumblings of 2017, turning his focus to all 30 teams and their potential closers heading into the season.

Regan's Rumblings: 32 Teams, 32 Disappointments

May 19, 2016

Dave Regan's rumblings skew toward the pessimistic this week, as he walks us through the league and identifies a fantasy disappointment or bust-in-the-making for each of the 32 teams.

The Saber's Edge: Digging for Future Saves Now

May 18, 2016

Jeff Zimmerman looks at every team's closer situation and who might benefit from deadline deals. Can Sean Doolittle get his job back in Oakland?

Regan’s Rumblings: Dollar or Less Sleeper Picks

March 10, 2016

In his first column of 2016, David Regan discusses cheap options, including catcher J.T. Realmuto, who have big potential in deeper leagues.

Past Fantasy Outlooks

2017

2016

2015

2014

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

Following two serviceable years out of the Astros bullpen, Qualls inked a two-year deal with the Rockies, who aimed to shore up their shaky relief corps. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned, as the veteran reliever posted his worst numbers since 2012. Like most Rockies pitchers, he was gashed by the Coors Field effect (7.43 ERA, 1.88 WHIP at home), but his numbers on the road weren't exactly anything to call home about, either. The right-hander also saw a regression in his K:BB thanks to a lowly 6.06 K/9 despite maintaining solid control throughout the season. At 38 years old, Qualls seems to be on the decline, as he lost 1.2 mph on his average fastball velocity and had a terribly high .351 BABIP for a pitcher who doesn't strike out too many hitters. Considering the Rockies have some younger (and more talented) options knocking on the door of the major leagues, Qualls will likely spend his 14th big league season in a low-leverage role.

After recording 19 saves for the Astros in 2014, Qualls earned only four last season as Houston signed Luke Gregerson to take over the closer role. The veteran right-hander was still a key member of the Astros' pen, however, appearing in 60 games while compiling a 4.38 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 46:9 K:BB ratio over 49.1 innings. Despite solid numbers overall, the 37-year-old saw his average fastball velocity (91.4 mph) dip for the third consecutive year and had his club option declined by the Astros in November. Qualls, however, could be in the closer mix after signing with the Rockies where he'll compete with Jason Motte for save chances.

Qualls was one of Houston's best signings last offseason, bringing much-needed stability and a veteran presence to the back-end of baseball's worst bullpen. The 36-year-old posted a 3.33 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 19 saves for the Astros, with an impressive 43:5 K:BB ratio in 51.1 innings. He went 19 straight appearances without allowing a run, and had it not been for his struggles against Oakland (0-4, 27.00 ERA and four blown saves in seven appearances), his final stat line would have been even better. Qualls enters 2015 as one of the favorites to close out games for Houston, but if Luke Gregerson beats him out for the job, he'd make a fine setup man after yet another strong season.

Qualls resurrected his career as a workhorse in the back-end of the Miami bullpen in 2013 after bouncing around the past three seasons, spending time pitching ineffectively for the Diamondbacks, Rays, Padres, Phillies, Yankees and Pirates. The veteran righty appeared in 66 games and was simply dominant, posting a 2.61 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. His new-found ability to keep the ball in the yard was a big reason (0.6 HR/9 in 2013 compared to 1.0 HR/9 from 2010-2012) and a couple extra ticks on the radar gun also factored into the resurgent effort. If Qualls can keep the ball in the ballpark effectively, he could prove to be a useful cheap source of saves after signing a two-year deal with the Astros.

At one time a closer for the Diamondbacks, Qualls has found minimal success since joining the Padres. 2011 saw his K/9 drop by more than two full points and his K/BB rate was down to 2.15. Obviously, Petco Park helped keep his HR/9 down, but as a ground ball specialist, an 11.3% HR/FB isn't all that impressive. Now Qualls moves on to the Phillies in 2012 where he will compete for a relief spot this spring. Unfortunately for him, Citizens' Bank Ball Park caters to the power hitters and Qualls' penchant for giving up the home run will certainly damage his chances of being an effective contributor.

Following five seasons as a dominant reliever, Qualls imploded for the Diamondbacks as their closer last season. He had a 8.29 ERA with a 2.000 WHIP over 21 innings before being traded to the Rays. After some initial success, Qualls was torched yet again and found little success with his new team. He'll likely catch on with a team in some type of middle-relief role and will look to capture the magic he had before last season, when he was able to induce plenty of groundball outs and miss enough bats to be a good setup man.

Qualls dislocated his knee cap in August, ending a successful season in which he was on track to hold the team's closer role from start to finish. Even though his strikeout rate dipped slightly to 7.79 K/9IP, Qualls' command was outstanding (1.21 BB/9IP) and he converted 24 of his 29 save opportunities. Qualls had made 75 or more appearances in each of the previous four seasons before the knee injury, so durability shouldn't be a major concern going forward. The D-Backs expect him to be healthy for the start of spring training, but Qualls will have Juan Gutierrez waiting in the wings if his recovery takes longer than expected or if he regresses.

After converting seven consecutive save opportunities in September, Qualls enters spring training as the likely D-Backs' closer. While it's far from a done deal, he has the leg up over Tony Pena and Jon Rauch for the closer's role after he finished the season with the job following Brandon Lyon's struggles. Qualls had a 71:18 K:BB ratio in his first season with Arizona, while holding opponents to a .224 average. Considering his inexperience working the ninth inning, carefully consider the appropriate handcuffs to lock down the saves from the Arizona bullpen, if you decide to take the plunge with Qualls on draft day.

Qualls led the Astros with 79 appearances, and served as the primary set-up man to both Brad Lidge and Dan Wheeler. He still gave up too many homers, surrendering 10 in 82.2 innings. With Lidge now in Philadelphia, he'll be given a shot to close this year, but it's no guarantee the job is his. If he wins the job, he'll have value as long as he's converting saves.

Qualls made 81 appearances out of Phil Garner's bullpen, going 7-3 with a 3.76 ERA. He gave up 10 homers in just 88.2 innings, which was a common problem for many Houston pitchers in 2006. He'll be one of the setup man counted on most once again by the Astros this season.

The former starting prospect was reinvented as groundball machine out of the bullpen, and functioned as a lefty-getter in a pen with no effective southpaws. He has minimal fantasy value, since he's behind Dan Wheeler if anything happens to Brad Lidge, and he's not a closer type, anyway.

Qualls, one of the Astros' brightest pitching prospects, was utilized in a bullpen role after being called up from Triple-A New Orleans in July 2004. Qualls found some success, posting a 3.55 ERA with a 3/1 K/BB ratio. Qualls will likely find himself in the bullpen at season's start and could work himself into a set-up role if he continues to build on his successful 2004 campaign.

Qualls spent a second consecutive season at Double-A Round Rock, after being over-promoted by the Astros in 2002 due to their lack of a high Single-A affiliate that year. His control has long been fairly spotty, but he reached a new level over the second half of the season, lending hope that he's ready for Triple-A New Orleans in 2004. Qualls could be in the starting rotation by 2005.

Qualls earned the right to be one of Astros top five pitching prospects by leading the Texas league in strikeouts (142) in 2002. Unfortunately, the 2000 second round pick also finished second in losses (13), and walks (67) while showing durability by pitching 163 innings for Double-A Round Rock. He combines a low-90’s sinking fastball with a hard slider, but needs to use his change-up more. Control is an issue as his hard stuff has good movement that he’s been unable to master, and the mechanics have not been consistent. Because of this, and the fact he’s yet to fully develop or utilize an off-speed pitch, his future could be in the major league bullpen. 2003 should find him back in Round Rock learning some control, and attempting to further the development of a change-up. The 24-year-old could find himself in the majors as soon as this is achieved.

More Fantasy News

Activated from DL

PColorado Rockies

June 26, 2017

Qualls (back) was activated from the disabled list Monday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.

Expects to be activated when ready

PColorado Rockies

Back

June 21, 2017

Qualls (back) got through a 25-pitch bullpen session Wednesday with no issues, MLB.com reports.

ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.

Hits DL with back spasms

PColorado Rockies

Back

June 18, 2017

Qualls was placed on the 10-day disabled list Sunday with lower back spasms, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.

Longtime veteran using defense to his advantage

PColorado Rockies

June 14, 2017

Qualls has an ERA of 4.11 and WHIP of 1.11 in 15.1 innings out of the bullpen this season for Colorado.

ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.

Touched up over weekend

PColorado Rockies

May 22, 2017

Qualls served up three runs in just one-third of an inning Saturday, raising his ERA to 5.19.

ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.