Dan Straily Promoted to Oakland Athletics
The big news in the universe of baseball prospects today is the promotion of right-handed pitcher Dan Straily to the Oakland Athletics. He'll make his major league debut Friday. We profiled Straily as Prospect of the Day back in mid-June.
Since that report, Straily's stock has risen even higher. Promoted to Triple-A Sacramento shortly after I wrote the June article, Straily has been lights-out in the Pacific Coast League, posting a 1.36 ERA with a 67/14 K/BB ratio in 53 innings, allowing a mere 27 hits. Overall, he has a 2.60 ERA with a 175/37 K/BB ratio in 138 innings, with just 97 hits allowed. All of his component ratios are spectacular, and he has nothing left to prove in the minors at all.
Scouting reports indicate that his slider, curveball, and changeup have all improved this year. Combine three strong secondary pitches with a 90-94 MPH fastball and superior command, and you have yourself a major league starter. Note this report from Bullpen Banter which points out the particular "hop" that Straily's fastball has. This movement helps plays the pitch up past his pure velocity.
At this point, I give Straily a B+ and see him as a number three starter barring injury, with a chance to be a number two if everything goes perfectly. He's come a long way from his days as a mediocre college pitcher.
Loading comments...