Mark Malaska

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Boston Red Sox #25 prospect in 2004
  The Red Sox spent the offseason collecting lefthanded relievers to back up Alan Embree in the big league bullpen. They signed Tim Hamulack as a minor league free agent and claimed Phil Seibel off waivers from the Mets in November, took Malaska off waivers from the Devil Rays and Lenny DiNardo in the Rule 5 draft from the Mets in December, then signed Bobby M. Jones and Nick Bierbrodt as free agents in January. Malaska is the only member of the group to pitch in the big leagues last year and has perhaps the best chance of breaking camp with Boston. He was strictly an outfielder in his first two college seasons at Akron and pitched just 24 innings as a two-way player as a junior, but that was enough to get him drafted in the eighth round in 2000. He moved from the rotation to the bullpen in 2003 and reached the majors in mid-July. Malaska's doesn't have a standout pitch but he pitches craftily around a marginal 86-90 mph fastball. His changeup is his best offering, and he commands his curveball well and mixes in a slider. He does an excellent job of keeping the ball in strike zone, allowing just one homer every 17 innings as a pro. Though Malaska permitted runs in just five of his 22 major league outings, Tampa Bay manager Lou Piniella got down on him because he didn't challenge hitters enough. After watching Scott Sauerbeck battle the strike zone last year, the Red Sox won't tolerate a lefty reliever who can't find the plate.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #29 prospect in 2002
  Primarily an outfielder in college, Malaska reached high Class A as a starter in his first full pro season. His overall stuff, which includes a low-90s fastball with fine sinking action, reminds some observers of Jim Abbott. Malaska also does a good job of keeping his pitches low in the strike zone and maintaining the inside part of the plate. While his feel for pitching has been impressive considering his lack of experience on the mound, Malaska needs to fine-tune most aspects of his game. He's currently starting in order to give him innings, provide him time to work on his entire repertoire and build his arm strength. His eventual role may come as a reliever who can retire lefthanders late in games, but the plan for 2002 has Malaska beginning back in the Bakersfield rotation.