Eduardo Sierra

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #16 prospect in 2005
  The Athletics have a history of giving up young, hard-throwing Dominicans in trades, such as Jesus Colome (to Tampa Bay) and Franklyn German (to Detroit in a three-team deal that netted them Ted Lilly and minor leaguers Jason Arnold and John-Ford Griffin from the Yankees). Neither has had the kind of success that makes Oakland regret the moves. Sierra will try to buck the trend after coming to New York for Chris Hammond following the 2003 season. He led the high Class A Florida State League in saves last year, showing a lively 95 mph fastball that's the best in the system. When he's on, he complements it with an upper-80s splitter and a hard slider that he added late in the year. However, Sierra doesn't throw strikes consistently enough with the fastball. He tends to fly open in his delivery, which leads him to leave his fastball up and out of the strike zone. He also gets too satisfied after he makes a great pitch, lacking the focus he needs. The Yankees will find out much more about Sierra and whether he can help their bullpen in the near future after his first foray into Double-A.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #11 prospect in 2004
  Five days after sending fireballer Yhency Brazoban to the Dodgers as part of the Kevin Brown trade, the Yankees acquired Sierra, another strong-armed righthander whom they believe has Brazoban's upside and better makeup. With a 95-mph fastball, Sierra has one of the best raw arms in the system. He pitches high in the zone with a power fastball. When his splitter is working and he can control his fastball, he can be virtually unhittable. However, command is the key to Sierra's success and it tends to waver. The Athletics moved him to the bullpen full-time last year and the Yankees plan on keeping him there. With two big weapons, he has closer potential as he matures and fills out his lanky frame. Likely to start 2004 in high Class A, he'll have an opportunity to advance to Double-A at midseason.
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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #27 prospect in 2003
  Sierra has yet to reach full-season ball after four years in the system, but he signed at 16 and his dazzling stuff still intrigues the A's. His fastball already hits 95 mph, and he's still growing and filling out his lanky frame. He also throws a slider, which isn't overly effective, and is working on adding a splitter to his repertoire. He lacks a true offspeed pitch, and Oakland expects to eventually move him to the bullpen, where he can just focus on throwing heat. He still must improve his command and learn to keep his hot fastball down in the strike zone. How Sierra performs in spring training will determine if he'll move up to Class A for the first time.