Joe Savery, lhp, Phillies

June 7, 2007
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2007 MLB Draft B-T: L-L
Ht: 6-3. Wt.: 215.
Birthdate: 11/4/85.
School: Rice
Class: Jr.
Previously Drafted: Dodgers, 15th round, 2004.


THROUGH THE YEARS IN BASEBALL AMERICA
2007
• Savery talked about how he has dealt with the stigma of being a pitcher from Rice.
• Aaron Fitt said Savery has been solid but not dominant this season.
• Savery is the third ranked prospect from Texas.
• Scouts disagree in their opinions of Savery's delivery.
• One scout was not impressed with Savery's performance against Memphis in the Conference USA tournament.
• In a draft chat, Jim Callis said Savery's recent shoulder surgery may have helped his improved velocity.
• In our midseason update, Savery ranked No. 20 in our Top 30 Prospects draft board.
2006
• In our sneak peak as the 2007 draft, Savery ranked eighth in our Top 100, but also carried some health concerns.
• Savery ranked third on our preseason list of the Top 50 Sophomores as a preseason All-American.
2005
• Savery finished the year on our Freshman All-America team as our Freshman of the Year.
2004
• Coming out of high school, Savery was an excellent two-way player.
• Savery was No. 53 on our preseason list of the Top 100 High School Prospects and No. 128 on our Top 200 Prospects list right before the draft.

SCOUTING REPORT
Area scouts have projected Savery as a 2007 first-rounder since he came out of Lamar High in Houston three years ago. He was the top two-way player in the state, but it would have taken a $1 million bonus to dissuade him from following Jeff Niemann's path from Lamar to Rice. As with Niemann in 2004, Savery hasn't been 100 percent in his draft year following offseason surgery. He didn't pitch for the Owls last June, then had minor surgery to shave down a bone growth in the back of his shoulder that was causing some fraying in his labrum. Savery has taken a regular turn in the Rice rotation this spring, but he has been less than dominant, as his 44-30 K-BB ratio through 68 innings would attest. Savery's velocity was improving in early May, as he was showing a 90-94 mph fastball for a couple of innings and still touched 90 after 100 pitches. In his initial starts this season, he worked more often at 85-89 mph. His changeup is a plus pitch, and his hard, slurvy curveball can get strikeouts when it's on, though he hasn't used it as much as in the past. Savery has continued to pull double duty for the Owls, playing first base and leading the club with a .353 average and 43 RBIs through 52 games. Once he regains full health, he could take off after he focuses his energy and efforts on pitching. The recent litany of Rice pitching prospects who have needed surgery after turning pro concerns scouts, but Savery could be a steal if he slides into the second half of the first round.

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