Tyler Skaggs: Top Angels Prospect #9
9) Tyler Skaggs, 07/13/91 - LHSP, Rookie Ball, Cedar Rapids
10 IP, 1.80 ERA, 13 K/2 BB. +3 runs saved
Ranking in a Nutshell: A year ago, Baseball America's Jim Callis labeled 175 lbs Tyler Skaggs the most projectable high school arm of the 2009 draft. Once on the mound in August (and $1 million richer), the lefty showed a promising 3-4 pitch mix featuring an 88-91 mph fastball, a plus slider, a slow curve, and a change-up in the making. He didn't throw many innings in his debut, but the results were nonetheless impressive. Recent reports have Skaggs at 6'4", 180 lbs, so the likelihood of him becoming more physical as he continues to fill out his frame remains key to his projected value.
Track Record: He signed late, so pitched only ten and two thirds innings across Arizona and Orem. He fanned 13 and induced 16 ground balls in that time (57.1%of balls in play), while walking only 2. He very nearly completed his debut without yielding a run, but gave up 4 (2 earned) in his final appearance of 2009. He'll head to Cedar Rapids at some point next year, though given how little he was stretched out last summer he will likely be on the Chatwood/Chaffee plan and begin the season in extended spring training.
Win-the-Lottery-Ceiling: A front of the rotation type who mixes four average to above average pitches with excellent command. There have been some Barry Zito comps due to his build and slow curveball but current A's southpaw Brett Anderson may be the better fit due to height and pitch mix. The great thing about Skaggs is that he's got the stuff and projection to have a very good chance of winding up as a mid-rotation starter, even if his ceiling lowers in coming seasons.
Scouting Report: (beneath the jump)
Many thanks to Baseball Beginnings, who published this scouting video and scouting report just before the draft. Baseball Intellect also published this scouting report, which highlights some of the front side and landing mechanics issues that Skaggs is no doubt presently working on. I like that his delivery is uncomplicated and that he stays consistently at his three quarters arm slot with both his fastball and his breaking ball. While I wouldn't call his motion fluid exactly, it does appear smooth and repeatable.
Skaggs' fastball has better odds of adding a tick or two than any other in the system, except for maybe Pat Corbin, a similarly skinny lefty. Scouts had mixed feelings about the mid-to-high 60's curveball that he used in high school, but it did the job against prep hitters and he will still drop it in occasionally as a pro. At some point over the past year, he started favoring a harder mid-70's slider that has drawn rave reviews (Baseball America calls it a "knockout offering"). He's still learning to mix in his change-up, but there isn't enough data yet to know if it rates as a plus pitch. Landing Skaggs in the supplemental round last year was one of several steals the Halos pulled off in the 2009 draft.
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Comments
No doubt, the 09 draft will be one we look back on in 4 years
Loads of talent. I’m excited to watch how it develops.
by The OC Disorder on Feb 9, 2010 2:04 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Looking To The Future
Four or five years down the line, we will see as to the success of the 2009/2010 draft.We have seen an impressive group of draft picks from the June 2009 draft.Mike Trout.Randal Grichuk.Garrett Richards.After reading about Tyler Skaggs,this kid really seems to project 4 years down the line as a front of the rotation pitching prospect.But we have seen the past few years,that the key to our top draft picks seem to be, can we keep these guys healthy and on the field.Bachanov.Chatwood.Chaffee of a few comes to mind..And seeing that for the June 2010 draft we have something like 9-10 picks in the first 4 rounds.Never having actually seen these kids play in person, I will leave the stats and or analysis to others.But its going to be fun, seeing how our picks progress over the next few years.
by Guardian Angel Joe on Feb 9, 2010 4:00 AM PST reply actions
Oh yeah oh yeah OH YEAH!
Sorry. Just had to pleasure myself to that scouting video. Vigorously. I mean… look at those supple, projectable limbs… that clean, fluid delivery… the tantalizing power-transfer. Within two years, this lad will be throwing 96 and eliciting Steve Carlton comparisons. Granted, that’s a subjective assessment… the breathless, ad hominem grunts of an Angels partisan… but still… I have a feeling he’ll be the Halos’ concensus No. 1 after this season.
He will also kill Dustin Pedroia.
Lets not forget that.
I brought sexy back, but they only gave me store credit....
by PhiSlamma on Feb 9, 2010 9:53 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Dustin Pedroia is destined to die multiple times at the hands of our pitchers...
Makes you wonder if the Red Sox are really all Sith Lords with the power to control life itself?
DUSTIN PEDROIA – CIRCA 2014

"You gotta have nuts." - Torii Hunter / Part-Time Nemesis of the HH Reply Function
by Commander_Nate on Feb 9, 2010 3:15 PM PST up reply actions
"I WILL RAVE THIS SHIT OUT OF THIS PLACE"
I brought sexy back, but they only gave me store credit....
"BRING WATER, IT GETS EXPENSIVE AT BURNING MAN"
I brought sexy back, but they only gave me store credit....
"I THINK YOUKILIS TOOK TOO MUCH E AGAIN, HES HAVING SEX WITH THAT TREE"
I brought sexy back, but they only gave me store credit....
BWHAHAHAHA
Nate, that was so good I forgot what we were talking about!
The word is no......I am therefore going anyway
James T. Kirk

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