Prospect of the Day: Josh Collmenter, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

by John Sickels on May 17, 2011 8:00 AM EDT

PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 04: Relief pitcher Josh Collmenter #55 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the Major League Baseball game at Chase Field on May 4, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Josh Collmenter, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
One of the best rookie pitchers so far in 2011 is Josh Collmenter of the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 20 innings, he's got a 14/1 K/BB and has allowed just 10 hits, resulting in a stellar 0.90 ERA. He threw six shutout innings against the Dodgers in his first major league start on Saturday, May 14^th, seizing a place in the Diamondbacks rotation. Who is this guy, and is this performance a fluke?

     Collmenter was a 15^th round pick in 2007 out of Central Michigan University. He posted outstanding K/BB and K/IP ratios in A-ball and Double-A, but was hit hard in Triple-A last year, which hurt his stock with scouts. Collmenter wasn't a hot prospect pre-season: Baseball America didn' t even list him as one of Arizona's Top 30 prospects. I was more optimistic, giving him a Grade C+ and ranking him at Number 16 on my Diamondbacks list.
     Scouts have never given him much slack: few right-handers with 85-88 MPH fastballs succeed in the majors. His second pitch is a strong changeup, and he'll mix in an occasional curve and a rare slider. The fastball/changeup combination, combined with his stellar command and a deceptive over-the-top delivery, was often too much for minor league hitters even without plus velocity. And so far, it's been too much for major league hitters, too.
    Will that remain true? He's defied the odds so far, and except for 10 rough starts in Triple-A last year, he's been effective at every level of pro ball. Scouts praise Collmenter's ability to adapt and learn, and he'll need that ability as the hitters get used to him. I would not underestimate Collmenter's ability to stay ahead of the curve, and he could end up having a very good career as an inning-eating strike thrower.

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I scouted him at C Mich

The team that I was working for was pretty concerned about his mechanics, and his stuff didnt have a ton of projection in it. The results were very good, but he wasnt considered much of a prospect at the time.

He has had a very nice professional career so far. Congrats to him.

by backtocali on May 17, 2011 9:49 AM EDT reply actions

This guy seems to be the real deal.

20 innings 10 hits? a 0.90 ERA? thats amazing i a jays fan just found a reason to waych Diamondbacks games this guy looks interesting.

by Jt Malley on May 17, 2011 12:54 PM EDT reply actions

There's obviously a heavy sprinkling of luck here

I certainly think he can make it as a good bullpen arm. His change-up represents a legitimate out-pitch, and his deception can be devastating in shorter stints – i.e. hitters can’t get used to his motion when they rarely see him in action. If he’s going to make it as a starter, he’s going to have to develop some sort of breaking ball. In that start against the Dodgers, he threw (by my count from Gameday) a whopping total of three curveballs (no sliders) all game. Once the tapes get around the league and hitters begin to be slightly less-fooled by the deception, I think he’ll need another weapon.

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by Dan Strittmatter on May 17, 2011 4:07 PM EDT reply actions