Mike Sillman

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #26 prospect in 2007
  Inheriting the role that Mark Worrell used as a launching pad to the organization's pitcher of the year award in 2005, Sillman found similar success as Palm Beach's closer and his 35 saves were second in the minors. Sillman attacks hitters from a sidearm, almost submarine delivery that's funky and deceptive to hitters. He dropped his arm slot prior to his junior year at Nebraska at the urging of his coaches. He surrendered just two home runs in 2006 and can be death to righthanded hitters, who managed a meager .142 average against him last year. He hides the ball well and his fastball ranges from 89-91 mph with late life down in the zone. When he throws his slider, it's usually too late for hitters to pick up, and it features hard, darting action down and in on lefties. He can spin it for strikes or use it as a swing-and-miss chase pitch, running out of the zone or in the dirt. Sandwiched by Worrell above and Chris Perez below, Sillman will close in Double-A this season.