Matt Mitchell
| IP | 293 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.085 |
| WHIP | 1.396 |
| BB/9 | 3.44 |
| SO/9 | 7.495 |
- Full name Matthew Mitchell
- Born 03/31/1989 in Barstow, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Barstow
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Drafted in the 14th round (426th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2007 (signed for $100,000).
View Draft Report
Righthander Matt Mitchell of Barstow High had touched 92-93 mph but more frequently sat in the upper 80s. He's also projectable at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, has a palmball changeup that at times is an out pitch, and the ball comes out of his hand easy.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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When Mitchell led the Arizona League with a 1.80 ERA during his 2007 pro debut, it immediately made him one of the top pitching prospects in a thin system. Two years later as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, he faces much less pressure to perform immediately because the Royals now have plenty of depth ahead of him. He returned to the mound last fall, showing the same 89-90 mph he had before his elbow reconstruction. Before he got hurt, he showed an average curveball and a developing changeup. His delivery is smooth, he does a good job of hiding the ball from hitters and he works both sides of the plate. Mitchell had excellent command for a teenager, though he lacked a strikeout pitch. He'll probably spend the 2010 season in low Class A trying to regain his curve and command, often the last two things to return after Tommy John surgery. He'll be 21 all season, so he still has plenty of time to develop. -
After leading the Arizona League with a 1.80 ERA in his 2007 pro debut, Mitchell held his own after making the jump to low Class A last season. But his season ended on a down note, as he was shut down in late August with elbow discomfort and required Tommy John surgery that will sideline him for the entire 2009 season. There's a potential bright spot to the injury, however. Mitchell was throwing a fringe-average fastball that usually sat between 89-90 mph last summer while he was less than 100 percent. There's a good chance he'll come back throwing harder, which would allow his above-average changeup and improving curveball to play up. Mitchell uses a palmball grip for his changeup because of his small hands, and it works for him. Mitchell has excellent contol for a young pitcher, but unless he gains some velocity, he'll have to be very precise as he climbs the ladder because he doesn't have put-away stuff. If his rehab goes well, he should return at high Class A in 2010. -
The Royals might come away with one of the steals of the 2007 draft after finding Mitchell in the small southern California town of Barstow and signing him for $100,000 as a 14th-rounder. The secret was out once he won the Arizona League ERA title (1.80). Mitchell was able to correct an early tendency of pitching up in the strike zone by getting better extension in his delivery and throwing on more of a downhill plane. Advanced for a high school pitcher, Mitchell locates an 88-92 mph fastball to both sides of the plate and shows an ability to throw it for strike one. He uses his secondary pitches a lot for a young pitcher, including a palm changeup and a curveball with 11-to-5 break when it's on. He hides the ball well with a smooth delivery, similar to Curt Schilling's, which makes it hard for hitters to time his arm speed. Mitchell is still working on feel for his curveball, which has inconsistent trajectory and rotation. He's still figuring out his mechanics and needs to repeat his delivery on a more regular basis. Kansas City is thrilled with Mitchell so far and thinks it could have a future mid-rotation starter. He'll compete with fellow 2007 high school draftees Daniel Duffy and Sam Runion for spots in the low Class A rotation this year.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Mitchell lasted until the 14th round of the 2007 draft in part because he was harder to see than many other southern California prospects. He playing in relatively remote Barstow, northeast of Los Angeles. AZL hitters saw enough of him, though, as he won the league ERA title (1.80) and ranked fourth in strikeouts (72 in 55 innings). Mitchell's strong suit is his ability to throw his upper-80s fastball on a good downhill plane to both sides of the plate, and he reaches as high as 93 mph. He threw strikes early in the count and consistently overmatched hitters with his control and aggressiveness. For an encore in full-season ball, Mitchell will have to improve both the spin and feel for his curveball, a below-average pitch at this time. He has confidence in his palmball changeup, which helped limit lefthanders to 11 hits (one for extra bases) in 61 at-bats. He should gain better command as he improves his mechanics.
