Jeremy Griffiths

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Mets #8 prospect in 2004
  One of a number of quality arms to come out of the Mid-American Conference in recent years, Griffiths was the league's 1999 pitcher of the year. He improved his command in 2002 and accelerated his development, culminating with his promotion to the majors in '03. The rangy Griffiths has gotten his delivery under control, which allows him to command four solid pitches. He works with a 90-91 mph fastball that touches 94, an 81-84 mph slider, a changeup and a curveball. The Mets liked that he became more aggressive in the minors and started busting hitters inside. Griffiths wasn't ready for the majors in 2003 and it showed. He was too tentative and hitters took advantage of him. He needs to regain his feel for his curveball, which he couldn't throw consistently for strikes. Some in the organization say Griffiths is more capable of handling the big leagues now than 2001 first-rounder Aaron Heilman. He'd be best served by another half-season in Triple-A, but he'll be a candidate for New York's rotation in spring training.
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  Ranked New York Mets #14 prospect in 2003
  Griffiths was added to New York's 40-man roster in November after he put together a strong showing in Double-A during the second half, then continued to throw well in the Arizona Fall League. After posting just one victory during the first three months of the season, he won his next five starts and was even better down the stretch, allowing three earned runs in his final 36 innings. His career 27-31 record conceals the steady progress that he has made. At 6-foot-6, he has ironed out many of the kinks he had in his delivery early in his career. His low-90s fastball has an excellent downward plane, while he continues to show more consistency within the strike zone with his slider and changeup. The Mets are working with Griffiths on improving his mound presence so he can better use his size and stuff to his advantage. He was more aggressive going after hitters in the AFL, where he had a 1.91 ERA and a 5-1 strikeout-walk ratio. He'll get at least a cursory look in big league camp before heading to Triple-A.
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  Ranked New York Mets #27 prospect in 2002
  For the third time in as many pro seasons, Griffiths' won-lost record didn't reflect how well he pitched. He formed an impressive one-two punch with Billy Traber (since traded to the Indians in the Roberto Alomar deal) in the St. Lucie rotation. Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 230 pounds, Griffiths showed more consistency with his mechanics, resulting in better control of his low-90s fastball, which he throws on a nice downward plane. He also displayed improvement with his changeup and slider. Before the Australian winter league canceled its season, New York had hoped to send Griffiths there so he could continue working on the command of his secondary offerings. With his improving production and impressive maturity, it wouldn't be a surprise to scouts if he puts together a big year in 2002. He'll begin in Double-A, where he pitched very well in two late-season starts.
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  Ranked New York Mets #16 prospect in 2001
  Griffiths starred at Toledo, where he set the season strikeout record and was Mid-American Conference pitcher of the year in 1999. Though he has gone just 10-17 in two pro seasons, he has pitched better than his record indicates. One of the taller pitching prospects in the game, Griffiths throws his low-90s fastball on a nasty downward plane. His changeup is decent already, and his slider has some potential. He also throws a curveball that lags behind his other pitches. Griffiths lacks Ken Chenard's consistency, but he lit up instructional league for the second straight fall and could be ready for a breakout year at St. Lucie in 2001.