12/05/2008

Tillman in the Top 20

The MiLB.com countdown of Top 50 prospects continued yesterday with #11-20.

Chris Tillman ('07 for about six weeks) checks in at #16.
Statistically speaking: Tillman was one of eight full-season pitchers to finish with a K/9 rate over 10 (10.22). He was second in the Eastern League -- and among all Double-A pitchers -- in Ks and fifth in ERA (eighth among all Double-A pitchers). His .227 batting average against was also second best in Double-A ball.

Scouting report: He's a big, projectable right-hander with a fastball that runs up to 94 mph and sits comfortably in the low 90s. Also has an above-average curve and a changeup -- which has a chance, but lags behind his other two pitches. Has good mechanics and mound presence and keeps the ball down in the zone.

He's with the Orioles because of some trade that went down before the 2007 season.
That Seattle was willing to part with two of their very best young talents in [Adam] Jones and Tillman and three other quality arms states, unequivocally, that they think they can hang with the Angels in the West and rub shoulders with the powers in the East and Central for the Wild Card. The Mariners picked up free agent Brad Wilkerson last week to offset the loss of Jones in right field, but they'll need other hitters to step up if they're to realize their playoff dreams.

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