- Full name Donnie Bridges
- Born
- Profile Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
-
The organization's top prospect last year, Bridges logged just 81 innings in 2001 as he tried to regain his stuff. Bridges began the season in Triple- A before being shut down with a sore shoulder--possibly the result of working 201 innings in 2000. After he missed two months, he worked his way back to Triple-A in August. When Bridges is right, he's a power starter who locates a 92-94 mph fastball on both sides of the plate. His heater has good sink and tails to the right. He complements it with a biting curveball with late, two-plane break that's a plus pitch at times, as is his changeup. Like his fastball, it sinks and tails. Bridges had erratic command in 2001 because his delivery got out of sync. His front side kept flying open, leaving his pitches up and off the plate. He rarely looked comfortable on the mound. Bridges will return to Ottawa, where the Expos would like to see him healthy and successful before he vies for a rotation spot. -
Bridges was the first of eight selections the Expos had before the start of the second round in the 1997 draft as compensation for the loss of Moises Alou and Mel Rojas to free agency, and the failure to sign 1996 first-rounder John Patterson. After two undistinguished years, Bridges began to assert himself as a prospect in 1999 and continued his rise last season. After starting 2000 at high Class A Jupiter, he was promoted to Double-A Harrisburg, where Eastern League managers selected him as the circuit's No. 3 prospect. He started 30 games between the two levels and showed the makings of a workhorse, ranking second overall in the minors with 201 total innings. His 16 wins were one off the minor league lead. Bridges pitched briefly in the Arizona Fall League but the Expos wisely sent him home after two outings. Bridges is a big, strong power pitcher with a full assortment of above-average pitches. Though he has the stuff to blow hitters away, his ability to throw with command and purpose to both sides of the plate may be more impressive. He has an easy delivery and throws a consistent 94-95 mph fastball with late movement. He complements it with a devastating 80-82 mph power curve that gets good spin and bite, and an improving 75-78 mph changeup. Expos officials praise Bridges for his pitching acumen, bulldog makeup and intelligence. He also can wield the bat quite well for a pitcher, as his five pinch-hit at-bats attest. Bridges made huge strides in the control department last year, but still needs to continue to improve the command of his changeup, which he has a habit of overthrowing at times. Like most young pitchers, he needs to be more consistent from start to start. Pitching more than 200 innings at 21 isn't the best way to prepare for a long career, though Bridges wasn't responsible for how he was used. The Expos are hoping their pitching staff at the major league level returns to health so Bridges can receive a full season at Triple-A Ottawa before he vies for a spot in Montreal. He projects to be an innings eater at the front of a rotation. -
Minor League Top Prospects
-
Montreal’s 1997 draft already has produced three pitchers who have reached the majors in Matt Blank, Scott Strickland and T.J. Tucker. The most promising, though, is Bridges, whom the Expos selected with the first of their eight first-round picks. "I like his command," Erie manager Don Wakamatsu said. "He has a power arm, but he doesn't try to blow guys away. I like that." Sisson sees Bridges as a No. 2 or 3 starter in the major leagues. Bridges throws 94-95 mph and his curveball is an out pitch. He’s also a dangerous batter whom Sisson used five times as a pinch-hitter. Though Sisson tried to get permission from Montreal to let Bridges DH, his future definitely is on the mound. "He has very good stuff right now for being such a young pitcher in Double-A," Varsho said. "He knows the game, knows how to pitch. He can find weaknesses right away and expose them. I think he has a chance right away to go up and be a 12- to 15-game winner in the big leagues."
Top 100 Rankings
Scouting Reports
-
Montreal’s 1997 draft already has produced three pitchers who have reached the majors in Matt Blank, Scott Strickland and T.J. Tucker. The most promising, though, is Bridges, whom the Expos selected with the first of their eight first-round picks. "I like his command," Erie manager Don Wakamatsu said. "He has a power arm, but he doesn't try to blow guys away. I like that." Sisson sees Bridges as a No. 2 or 3 starter in the major leagues. Bridges throws 94-95 mph and his curveball is an out pitch. He’s also a dangerous batter whom Sisson used five times as a pinch-hitter. Though Sisson tried to get permission from Montreal to let Bridges DH, his future definitely is on the mound. "He has very good stuff right now for being such a young pitcher in Double-A," Varsho said. "He knows the game, knows how to pitch. He can find weaknesses right away and expose them. I think he has a chance right away to go up and be a 12- to 15-game winner in the big leagues."