Anthony Slama

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Minnesota Twins #28 prospect in 2011
  Slama had a big year in 2010, becoming the lowest-drafted pitcher (39th round) ever to appear in the Futures Game, which was played in Anaheim, virtually down the street from his family's Orange County home. Then he earned his first major league callup, making his debut with two strikeouts in a scoreless inning against the Indians. He stuck around the majors for about two weeks before going back to Triple-A, and he wasn't as effective after his return. The Twins already have gotten a fine return on their $4,000 investment in Slama, whom they signed as a fifth-year senior draft-and-follow in June 2007. He has some deception, especially with his front arm and fairly easy delivery, that helps his average stuff play up. He relies mostly on an 88-92 mph fastball that can touch 94 and a high-70s slurve, with a changeup mixed in from time to time. He works on missing down when he does miss and generally does that, having allowed just 10 homers in 249 minor league innings. Slama tries to study hitters and their swings so he can pitch to their weaknesses. He has dominated with that approach in the minors, with a 1.95 career ERA, but scouts remain skeptical that he'll succeed in the majors. He may need better command to make his average pitches work against big league hitters. Minnesota has opportunities available in its 2011 bullpen, and Slama will get his chance to earn a middle-relief spot.
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  Ranked Minnesota Twins #19 prospect in 2010
  The Twins got 107 excellent innings over parts of two seasons out of Pat Neshek, a low-angle righthander who relied as much on deception as on stuff. Slama is his heir, putting up great minor league numbers and reaching Triple-A in his second full pro season. He has 68 saves in 140 career appearances, and he's the rare minor league closer who actually is a prospect. Slama's recipe for success has remained consistent. He pounds the bottom of the strike zone with two average pitches, an 89-92 mph sinker that tops out at 93, and a slider that he can throw for strikes or bury. Neither pitch has exceptional velocity, but he has above-average late life, throws strikes and misses down when he misses. Better hitters chased his pitches less and he made a few more mistakes in the strike zone last year. He gave up his first five regular-season homers of his career, and his strikeout rate dipped from 14.9 per nine innings in 2008 (best among minor league relievers that season) to 12.4 last year. He set a career best and ranked second in the minors with 62 appearances, proving his durability. Slama could use a better changeup or a splitter to combat lefthanders, who hit .292 with four homers in 120 at-bats against him in 2009. The Twins have moved him slowly, but few other minor league relievers have done more to earn a chance. He'll open 2010 as Rochester's closer.
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  Ranked Minnesota Twins #25 prospect in 2009
  The Twins drafted Slama in the 39th round in 2006 after his fourth year at San Diego. After he pitched as a fifth-year senior, they signed him before the 2007 draft for $4,000. He made a quick impact in his 2007 debut before tearing up high Class A last season, first as Rob Delaney's setup man, then as a closer after Delaney's promotion. Slama ranked third among minor league relievers with 13.9 strikeouts per nine innings. He lacks closer stuff but gets results with a low-90s fastball that tops out at 93 mph. It has solid sink, and he also gets groundballs with his average slider, which he throws for strikes. While he doesn't have Delaney's command, he has good control, rarely elevates his pitches and didn't give up his first home run as a pro until the Florida State League playoffs. Slama has plenty of deception, from a front arm that flashes out during his delivery to a lower arm slot and somewhat herky-jerky motion. The combination leaves scouts a bit skeptical, despite undeniable results. Slama will be 25 in 2009, and it's time to see if his deception and solid stuff can play above Class A. His spring performance will dictate his assignment, but he could jump a level or two.
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  Ranked Minnesota Twins #28 prospect in 2008
  Slama redshirted as a freshman due to arm trouble at UC Riverside, then transferred to Santa Ana (Calif.) JC for two seasons before joining San Diego. The Twins drafted him in 2006, then followed him in 2007 as Slama closed for the West Coast Conference champion Toreros. Slama was expected to re-enter the draft, but when San Diego went 0-2 in regional play, his college career was done and the Twins moved in to sign him before the 2007 draft. He was still eligible to sign with Minnesota because he was a fifth-year senior. Slama quickly showed he was too good for Elizabethton and dominated in low Class A, striking out 13.9 batters per nine innings between the two stops. He picked up three saves in the Midwest League playoffs, relying on a low 90s fastball that has heavy sink. When he commands the fastball to both sides of the plate, he's tough to elevate. Slama gave up just two homers over the last two years between college and pro ball. He throws from a low three-quarters arm slot and gets groundballs with his heater and solid-average slider. Slama's profile marks him as a middle reliever and he's quite old for a first-year player, but he's primed to move quickly, perhaps even jumping to Double-A in 2008.