Down on the farm: Jesse Crain
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?id=1736628
Monday, February 16, 2004
Jesse Crain
Minnesota Twins
Position: RHP Height: 6-1 Weight: 200 Born: 7/5/81 Bats: Right Throws: Right
Year Team Lv G GS IP H R ER HR BB SO W-L SV ERA
2002 Elizabethton R 9 0 15.2 4 2 1 0 7 18 2-1 2 0.57
Quad City A 9 0 12.0 6 3 2 0 4 11 1-1 1 1.50
2003 Fort Myers A 10 0 19.0 10 6 6 0 5 25 2-1 0 2.84
New Britain 2A 22 0 39.0 13 4 3 0 10 56 1-1 9 0.69
Rochester 3A 23 0 26.0 24 10 9 0 10 33 3-1 10 3.12
Background
The Twins drafted Jesse Crain in the second round in 2002 from the University
of Houston, where he was a pitcher/shortstop. He hit .309 with 11 homers as
a junior, while also racking up 10 saves and a 0.23 ERA (46/10 K/BB in 38 IP)
Minnesota moved him to the mound full-time, continuing to use him in the
closer role he filled at Houston. His '02 pro debut went well, and in '03 he
emerged as one of the top relief prospects in the game, finishing the year at
Triple-A Rochester. Crain's rise has been rapid and he should see action in
the Show sometime in 2004.
Scouting report
As you would expect from a former shortstop, Crain is a fine overall athlete.
He has a live body and excellent arm strength, pushing his fastball to 95 mph
at times, with movement. His second pitch is a hard slider, which is one of
the better breaking balls in the minor leagues. The pitch has bite, and he
can throw both of his offerings for strikes. Crain also has a changeup and a
knucklecurve, but doesn't need the secondary offerings as much coming out of
the bullpen. Command is a strength for him: his mechanics are consistent and
he doesn't have too many problems with control. He has an unusual combination
of command, movement, and velocity. Scouts like his presence on the mound,
and so far at least he has thrived in pressure situations.
Performance
Crain's statistical record is marked by excellent ratios across the board:
his K/IP and K/BB rates have been consistently above average or better. He
posted a 89/20 K/BB in 65 innings in Double-A and Triple-A last year. His
control wavered a bit at Rochester, but not enough to draw serious concern at
this point. Crain has yet to give up a home run as a professional pitcher,
due to the action on his pitches. Statistically, everything looks great at
this point, and confirms what the scouts say about him. His ratios at
Rochester imply that he will be ready for major league action very soon.
Health record
Crain has had no serious health problems. He has less mileage on his arm than
many college pitchers, and his combination of athleticism and consistent
mechanics should help keep him healthy, especially when used in the bullpen.
What to expect
The departure of free agents Eddie Guardado and LaTroy Hawkins leaves the
Twins without a clear closer entering 2004. Veteran Joe Nathan will get a
shot at the role this spring, but in the medium and long terms, Crain looks
like a good bet to take the job. He has the velocity, command, and
personality intangibles to close games in the Show. Expect Crain to see major
league action in middle relief in 2004, and possibly pick up some saves
depending on how other pitchers perform. He's the best bet to be the new
Twins closer in the long run.
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◆ From: 140.112.251.104
※ 編輯: tradewind 來自: 140.112.251.104 (07/21 14:48)
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