Tony McKnight

Part of an arsenal of pitchers the Houston Astros developed in the late ’90s, McKnight limped through three injury-laden seasons in the minors before earning a late-season call-up in 2000. The southern control pitcher proved he belonged, notching four wins with a 3.86 ERA.

The following season, McKnight was promoted midseason, but more as a showcase as trade bait for other teams than as an audition to join fellow young hurlers Wade MillerRoy Oswalt, and Tim Redding in the rotation. In late July, with Houston in the middle of the wild card hunt, McKnight was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates for reliever Mike Williams.