John Sickels on Pelzer:
Grade B: A personal favorite, he strikes people out and gets grounders with plus stuff. Really like him a lot.
More from Sickels:
Padres prospect Wynn Pelzer has been one of my favorites since I Shadow-Drafted him in the seventh round in 2007 out of South Carolina. His usual pattern is to get off to a slow start in April, then push forward with improved performances in May and June. He’s following that this year, with early problems at Double-A San Antonio but better numbers lately, including a 10-strikeout, 3-hit, 1-run outing against Corpus Christi on June 16th. On the season, he’s now 6-5, 3.98 with a 63/30 K/BB in 61 innings, with a 1.28 GO/AO ratio. The stuff has always been here: 90-95 MPH fastball with some sink, effective-if-erratic breaking ball. The key has been developing better control and refining his changeup, and he’s gradually doing that.
Baseball America on Pelzer:
Pounds the zone with 93-95 mph fastball, touching 97 in short stints, maintains velocity deep into games. Batters can look foolish dealing with his slider. Changeup is far behind the other pitches. Starter now, but fits well as a closer.
Quote from Stephen Kuperman, who has seen Pelzer live three times this season:
Iffy on him as a SP, but could try. CH not as bad as advertised. Probably better suited as setup man, lacks closer-type velocity.
Video
My Thoughts
Fans are going to question Pelzer’s 56 walks in 94.1 IP this year, but we’re getting a guy with plus stuff and a high ceiling for less than half a season of Miguel Tejada and $1.1 million (about half of his remaining contract). Pelzer has shown the ability to keep the walks down with just 3.49 BB/9 last year.
Andy MacPhail continues to add to an already spectacular group of young arms, and while Pelzer isn’t on the same level as Matusz or Britton, he certainly has the potential to be there.
Not only did we get Pelzer, but we cleared the way for Josh Bell to become the starting third baseman. This move is an addition by subtraction.
A full scouting report will be up tomorrow from someone who has seen Pelzer live three times this season.
