Rory Shortell
| IP | 352 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.938 |
| WHIP | 1.287 |
| BB/9 | 3.554 |
| SO/9 | 5.574 |
- Full name Rory Alexander Shortell
- Born 06/03/1981 in Portland, OR
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School San Diego State
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Drafted in the 3rd round (101st overall) by the Houston Astros in 2002.
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Picked in the fourth round out of an Oregon high school in 1999, Shortell might go a round earlier this time. He pitched sporadically his first two seasons at San Diego State but has shown a marked improvement this year. His stuff is not overpowering--as shown by his 65 strikeouts in 99 innings--but he has shown better arm strength and a better breaking ball than in high school. His fastball has been clocked at 92-93 mph. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he has an appealing pitcher's frame.
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Another victim of owner Drayton McLane's freeze on signing draft choices, Shortell is the most advanced pitcher signed by Houston last year. The Astros think he has a chance to move nearly as quickly as 2001 third-rounder Kirk Saarloos, who reached the majors less than a year after he signed. Of course, Saarloos had the benefit of pitching in his draft summer. Drafted in the fourth round out of high school by the Red Sox, Shortell pitched and played the middle infield as a San Diego State freshman. He gave up hitting as a sophomore but didn't really blossom until last spring. Shortell wasn't overpowering in instructional league but threw 92-93 mph for the Aztecs. Both his curveball and slider have a hard downward break. Houston also likes his poise on the mound. He throws with a short arm action but at least that creates deception. The Astros believe Shortell just needs some fine-tuning, mainly improving his changeup and learning to miss more bats than he has in the past. He could begin his pro career in high Class A.
