#29 Prospect - Matt Bywater

[Jordan Tuwiner]

http://orioles-nation.com/?p=9345

On August 16th, 2010 at 12:00 AM, just 24 hours before the midnight signing deadline, it looked more and more likely that Matt Bywater, the Orioles’ 7th round pick, would go unsigned. Rumors were floating around that he was going to return to Pepperdine for a 4th year of college and the Orioles were unwilling to up their offer. However, with just four hours before the signing deadline, the Orioles and Bywater agreed to terms.

Full top 50 list
29. Matt Bywater
30. Luis Lebron
31. Luis Noel
32. Tim Berry
33. Jaime Esquivel
34. Michael Ohlman
35. Rick Zagone
36. Ashur Tolliver
37. Wynston Sawyer
38. Brenden Webb
39. Troy Patton
40. Eddie Gamboa
41. Chorye Spoone
42. Brandon Waring
43. Greg Miclat
44. Jake Cowan
45. Ronnie Welty
46. Kyle Hudson
47. Sebastian Vader
48. Jarret Martin
49. Dudley Leonora
50. Justin Dalles

[BuckMagic]

He does not seem to intriguing to me...looks like a #5 starter at best. You compare him to Rick Zagone...that's a bad thing.

[DougDE]

I'll take a lefty or two with a great changeup every draft. They always have a chance. Comparisons to another player dont discourage me, he's Matt Bywater, not Rick Zagone. Same could be said for the positive comparison to Matusz. If he becomes a #5 big league starter I'd say that's good return on a 7th rounder. A #5 is a #1 on the day he starts.

[BuckMagic]

I'll take a lefty or two with a great changeup every draft. They always have a chance. Comparisons to another player dont discourage me, he's Matt Bywater, not Rick Zagone. Same could be said for the positive comparison to Matusz. If he becomes a #5 big league starter I'd say that's good return on a 7th rounder. A #5 is a #1 on the day he starts.

I guess so. I just think the Orioles need to be taking more chances rather than going for guys like Bywater who you pretty much know what you are getting. Very minimal ceiling here...

[Don]

Not every pitcher needs to be a top of the line starter or late inning shutdown artist. The Orioles need to continue to build a complete staff. Bywater is not a projectable, but still should move quickly through the system. There is nothing wrong with middle relief.

[chirping birds]

I just dont really get your logic Buck Magic...he led the nation in complete game shutouts last season and according to scouts has the best changeup in the entire 2010 draft class...but yea, no ceiling

[Don]

I think Buck means "you see what you get" from him. I do not see much room for growth that could say "he could gain 30 lbs and put 5 MPH on the fastball" or he is 18 and still could grow and fill out. He is considered a mature, polished, college pitcher.

I tend to see little wiggle room, but he could be a back of the rotation guy or middle relief pitcher. The organization needs multiple types of prospects and there is always room for the Matt Bywater's of the world on each 25 man roster. If he shows the solid command, he can easily fit through on the team in some capacity. He will advance rather quickly through the organization and could be in the late 2012 and 2013 seasons.

[BuckMagic]

I just dont really get your logic Buck Magic...he led the nation in complete game shutouts last season and according to scouts has the best changeup in the entire 2010 draft class...but yea, no ceiling

Don nailed it. Bywater basically is what he is at this point. He's probably a #4 at best...that's a "minimal" ceiling in my book, which is what I stated before.