Prospect Retro: Adam Wainwright

Prospect Retro: Adam Wainwright

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright has been one of the best pitchers in the National League for the last three seasons. Per reader request, here is a look at how he developed as a prospect. 

Adam Wainwright was Atlanta's first round pick in the 2000 draft, out of high school in Brunswick, Georgia, 29^th overall. At one point he was considered a candidate for the top ten, but a strained elbow ligament dropped his stock just enough for him to fall to the bottom of the round. He signed with his home-state team quickly and looked excellent in his pro debut, posting a 1.13 ERA with a 42/10 K/BB in 32 innings in his pro debut in the Gulf Coast League, then a  3.68 ERA with a 39/2 K/BB in 29 innings after being promoted to the Appy League. Scouts praised his 92-94 MPH fastball, projected more velocity as he filled out his 6-6, 190 frame, and also liked his breaking ball and changeup. His command was obviously sharp, too. I gave him a Grade B+ in my 2001 book.

Wainwright moved up to Low-A Macon for 2001, going 10-10, 3.71 with a 184/48 K/BB in 165 innings, 144 hits. His workload was large for a 19-year-old, though his walk rate was low and his component ratios were outstanding. His velocity was still 90-94 MPH, but his curveball, slider, and changeup all took a step forward, and his mechanics were remarkably consistent for such a tall pitcher. I gave him another Grade B+, with a note that he could take a step forward to A- or A with another good year.

He had that good year in 2002, posting a 3.31 ERA with a 167/66 K/BB in 163 innings for High-A Myrtle Beach, with 149 hits allowed. The walk rate crept up, but overall it was hard to knock his performance. His velocity picked up a bit, as he was clocked as high as 95-96 on his best days. I was still a bit concerned about the workload and the possibility of future injury, but moved his rating up to Grade A- in the 2003 book, ranked as the Number Seven pitching prospect in the game.

Promoted to Double-A Greenville for 2003, he went 10-8, 3.37 in 27 starts, with a 128/37 K/BB in 150 innings, 133 hits. The strikeout rate declined again, but his control improved and overall it was another strong campaign. He was traded to the Cardinals that December for J.D. Drew; I gave him another Grade A- and ranked him at Number Eight on the pitching prospect list.

Remember the strained elbow ligament back in high school? Elbow trouble cropped up again in 2004: he was limited to 12 starts for Triple-A Memphis, posting a 5.37 ERA. He did have a decent 64/28 K/BB in 64 innings, but gave up 68 hits and 12 homers. His velocity was down much of the year, and he missed half the season on the shelf with a partially torn elbow ligament. Surgery was avoided, but his future health status was doubtful and I lowered his rating to a Grade B- in the 2005 book as a result.

Wainwright's elbow felt better in 2005, although his velocity was down a peg to 89-92 MPH post-injury. He posted a 10-10 record, 4.40 ERA in 182 innings for Triple-A Memphis, with a  147/51 K/BB but 204 hits allowed. His secondary stuff regressed along with the fastball. I gave him a Grade B- again, writing that I expected him to develop into a workhorse number three or four starter type, but thinking that his ability to dominate had been permanently impacted by the elbow.

The Cardinals did the Earl Weaver break-in-the-rookie-pitcher thing and used him entirely as a major league reliever in 2006, getting strong results (3.12 ERA, 72/22 K/BB in 75 innings, 64 hits). He moved into the rotation in 2007 and has been terrific ever since. In 763 career innings, he has a 3.04 ERA, ERA+ of 139, 3.48 FIP, 3.82 xFIP, and a 57-29 (.663) record with 707 hits allowed. Stuff wise, he doesn't throw as hard as he did back before his 2004 injury, but he still works consistently in the low-90s, his curveball, slider, and changeup are all effective, and his command is outstanding.

It is still early enough in his career that his trajectory could go in a variety of directions. The list of comparables is interesting, however:

SIM SCORES: Mike Garcia, Orel Hershiser, Joe Horlen, David Cone, Tom Phoebus, David Palmer, Jack Chesbro, Mike Boddicker, John Montefusco, and Warren Spahn.

PECOTA Comps: Roy Oswalt, Tim Hudson, Frank Viola, Chuck Finley, C.C. Sabathia, Burt Hooten, Eric Bedard, Doug Drabek, Jack McDowell, and John Smiley.

Every pitcher on these lists was above-average-to-excellent, but the range of durability/career length is very wide.  That strikes me as an accurate take on Wainwright: he's clearly an excellent pitcher, but how long will he last? He's had two bouts of elbow trouble, but has never had surgery...will that hold up or will it eventually blow completely?