Tillman Update

Seattle P-I.com has their farm report today. It mainly deals with former Rattler Chris Tillman.

Tillman dealing in the desert

When the season began, right-handed pitcher Chris Tillman was headed for the small town of Appleton, Wis., to begin the first full season of his professional career looking to get things off on the right foot.

Check.

In eight starts, Tillman got only one victory, but allowed just 31 hits and 13 earned runs in 33 innings of work. And according to the club's player development department, the kid was ready for the next challenge.

On second thought, maybe that wasn't such a good idea.

Tillman's initial stint in the California League was a disaster. He yielded 32 earned runs on 40 hits in 28 2/3 innings, walking more than four batters per nine innings.

"He was clearly spooked a little bit," an American League scout said of Tillman's performances in June and early July. "He had stuff, but that was it. No command, no appearance of comfort on the mound, and that probably made him very timid out there. Can't pitch timid anywhere anymore."
...
But Tillman's recent success has hitters marking every sixth day on their calendars with a Red Cross logo, and scouts are as wide-eyed as can be.

"What I saw tonight was him," said an NL area scout whose club was hot on Tillman in last year's draft. "That's who we scouted last spring; that's what he is. I don't know who was pitching here a few months ago, but the No. 1 stuff and good command he showed tonight is why he was a top 25 talent."

In his past nine starts, the 19-year-old has allowed 20 earned runs in 52 2/3 innings. He's allowed just 52 hits, fanned 56 and walked 19.

Just go read the whole thing, like loyal reader Bob Rapp did before sending along the tip on this story.