College Pitchers

Thursday, May 17 2007 @ 03:45 PM EDT

Contributed by: Pistol

There's a bit of a gap between the top pitchers and the group after it. Price, Detwiler, Moskos and Brackman are all likely to go in the top 10. After that no starter stands out and there's a couple closers that are possibilities in the second half of the first round. The Blue Jays were reported to be interested in Vanderbilt closer Casey Weathers.

David Price, LHP, Vanderbilt
Year Innings ERA K/9 BB/9 HR/9 H/9
2005 69.1 2.86 12.0 3.9 0.5 6.6
2006 110.1 4.16 12.7 3.5 0.7 7.5
2007 105.1 2.91 12.8 2.2 0.1 6.9

The consensus seems to be that Price is a lock to be taken by the Devil Rays with the 1st pick in the draft.


Ross Detwiler, LHP, Missouri St
Year Innings ERA K/9 BB/9 HR/9 H/9
2005 34 6.35 9.3 7.4 0.3 7.7
2006 93 2.81 9.6 4.5 0.4 7.1
2007 79 2.28 11.3 3.8 0.7 6.5

Prior to this season I wrote that Detwiler made a big jump last year and if he made another jump this year he'd likely move into the first round. Well, he has made a jump and he will go in the first round. Of course, I wouldn't have guessed he would be a top 10 pick.


Daniel Moskos, LHP, Clemson
Year Innings ERA K/9 BB/9 HR/9 H/9
2005 16.2 5.40 8.3 7.2 0.6 13.3
2006 53.2 2.52 9.1 3.6 0.2 7.4
2007 54.2 2.63 11.0 4.5 0.3 8.3

Moskos used to close, but recently has been starting for the Tigers. The walks are a little higher than you'd like in a top 10 pick.


Andrew Brackman, RHP, NC State
Year Innings ERA K/9 BB/9 HR/9 H/9
2005 43 2.09 9.0 3.8
6.7
2006 28.1 6.35 10.2 6.1 0.6 11.9
2007 78 3.81 8.5 4.3
9.0

Brackman is interesting. He's really tall (6-10) and reportedly has great stuff. However, despite that he doesn't exactly shut other teams down. Of course, the same thing was said about Justin Verlander a few years ago.


Casey Weathers, RHP, Vanderbilt
Year Innings ERA K/9 BB/9 HR/9 H/9
2006 27 3.33 12.7 5.3 0.7 7.7
2007 39 2.31 13.4 4.2 0.2 4.2

A classic power reliever (with an intimidating look no less). As you can see by the numbers not too many hitters are touching Weathers. It's pretty impressive to have a K/BB ratio of 3+ when you walk 4.2 per 9. As far as I know there's no consideration for him to start, but he could turn out to be a reliever who makes the majors quickly much like Cordero or Street did (of course, there's many similar failures as well).


Brett Cecil, LHP, Maryland
Year Innings ERA K/9 BB/9 HR/9 H/9
2005 43 3.77 8.4 2.7 0.0 8.6
2006 58.1 4.78 8.4 3.1 0.5 8.5
2007 56.1 2.88 9.5 2.7 0.3 8.0

Cecil is another closer turned starter (albeit one start so far). There is thought that he could continue to start after being drafted as he has three pitches.


Nick Schmidt, LHP, Arkansas
Year Innings ERA K/9 BB/9 HR/9 H/9
2005 90.2 2.88 8.1 3.6 0.7 7.7
2006 108.2 2.98 11.2 4.0 0.5 6.7
2007 100.2 2.95 8.7 3.9 0.6 6.6

Schmidt's been pretty consistent. He's not overpowering so he's probably a 3/4 starter if he makes it, but those are pretty valuable these days.

James Simmons, RHP, UC Riverside
Year Innings ERA K/9 BB/9 HR/9 H/9
2005 36.2 2.95 6.0 1.0 0.5 9.2
2006 109.1 2.96 7.8 1.6 0.9 8.9
2007 102.1 2.11 9.0 1.1 0.6 7.1

Simmons is pretty similar to Schmidt, except that he has much better control.

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As for the Jays they'll probably only have a chance to draft the last 4 players listed. Weathers and Cecil are possibilities in round one and Simmons and Schmidt would be considered in the supplemental round if they're still around.

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