Danny Rueckel

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #12 prospect in 2005
  A four-year starter at shortstop at Furman, Rueckel logged bullpen innings after then- Paladins pitching coach Tommy John noticed his devastating curveball. John coached in the Expos system in 2002 and recommended they draft Rueckel as a pitcher. He really gained command of his curve, a 78-82 mph bender with sharp 12-to-6 bite, down the stretch in 2003, which allowed him to skip a level to Double-A last year. He blossomed there, getting hitters out by varying his grips and arm slots to throw a variety of curves. He also mixes in an 89-92 mph fastball, which he commands well. Athletic and durable, Rueckel can work multiple-inning stints out of the bullpen. He's not too far from being ready for a middle- relief or set-up role in the big leagues, but he will begin 2005 in Triple-A. He probably could pitch in the majors right now just with his curveball, which grades as a 70 on the 20- 80 scouting scale, but he'll be more effective when he learns to keep his fastball down in the zone. He's working on a two-seam fastball for just that reason.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #26 prospect in 2004
  Though Clint Everts' noted curveball has received much more attention, the Expos insist that Rueckel's is better. It's a devastating 78-82 mph curve with hard bite, and it grades as a 75 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He gained command of it down the stretch and was unhittable in August, not allowing a run and fanning 19 in 13 innings while opponents batted .075 against him. It was a stunning conclusion to his first full season as a pitcher, as he had been a four-year starter at shortstop at Furman. Rueckel is an athletic righthander with a medium frame. He can run his fastball into the 89-92 mph range with late movement. If he can continue to progress like he did at the end of 2003, he'll advance rapidly. For now, he's ticketed for high Class A.