Carter Capps

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #7 prospect in 2013
  A catcher in high school, Capps redshirted in his first year at NCAA Division II Mount Olive (N.C.) before converting to pitcher in 2010. After going 24-1 in two seasons, he signed for $500,000 in 2011. Capps did not allow an earned run in May or June and became the third player from the 2011 draft to reach the majors. Capps' fastball is easily an 80 pitch on the 20-80 scouting scale. He sits at 97-99 mph and had the second-highest average fastball velocity (98.3) in the majors in 2012, behind only the Royals' Kelvin Herrera. Capps also misses bats with a plus breaking ball. It has slider velocity and movement at 83-86 mph, but he calls it a curveball and uses a curveball grip. His third pitch is an average changeup. Capps hides the ball well, and his drop-and-drive, crossfire delivery makes it seem as though he's starting pitches behind the backs of righthanders. His to-do list includes sharpening his command and getting quicker to the plate with runners on base. Capps already has earned a late-inning role for the Mariners in 2013. He has the potential to develop into a dominant closer.
• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #16 prospect in 2012
  Capps was a catcher in high school, then redshirted his first year at Mount Olive (N.C.) before moving to the mound in 2010. He dominated NCAA Division II hitters as a starter for two seasons, winning his first 24 decisions before taking a loss during the 2011 D-II College World Series. Drafted 121st overall in June, he went to the Cape Cod League--making his first airplane trip--and posted a 0.39 ERA in relief before signing for $500,000. Capps' sinking fastball sits in the low 90s when he starts, but rises to 94-97 mph when he comes out of the bullpen. There were reports that he touched 99 mph in the Cape. He gets some swings and misses with a 79-83 mph slider and flashes an average changeup in the same range. His changeup has nice fade and he throws it with the same arm speed as his fastball, but he's still developing it after rarely using it in college. Capps has an unconventional delivery that doesn't use his 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame to his advantage. He has a long stride that drops him way down in his delivery, and he also throws across his body from a low three-quarters arm angle. The Mariners tried to raise his arm slot a bit in instructional league. Despite his unorthodox mechanics, Capps usually throws strikes. He has a quiet confidence and could move quickly as a reliever. His fresh arm and ability to hold velocity deep into games bode well for his potential as a starter, while his unrefined changeup and delivery point more toward the bullpen. He could start his first full pro season in high Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #19 prospect in 2012
  Capps arrived at NCAA Division II Mount Olive (N.C.) in the fall of 2008 as a catcher. Less than four years later, he was pitching out of the Mariners bullpen. He required just 43 minor league appearances before getting the call, 38 of which came at Jackson. Capps is all about power, throwing his fastball in the upper 90s and touching 100 mph. He's still developing his curveball and occasionally will mix in a changeup, but he mostly relies on his heat. He doesn't have ideal arm action, as he plunges in the back and gets long, hindering his curve and his control but also adding to his deception. To paraphrase one scout, if Capps develops a secondary pitch he trusts, he can be a closer. If not, he'll be a setup man along the lines of Matt Lindstrom.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: A catcher in high school, Capps redshirted in his first year at NCAA Division II Mount Olive (N.C.) before converting to pitcher in 2010. After going 24-1 in two seasons, he signed for $500,000 in 2011. Capps did not allow an earned run in May or June and became the third player from the 2011 draft to reach the majors. Scouting Report: Capps' fastball is easily an 80 pitch on the 20-80 scouting scale. He sits at 97-99 mph and had the second-highest average fastball velocity (98.3) in the majors in 2012, behind only the Royals' Kelvin Herrera. Capps also misses bats with a plus breaking ball. It has slider velocity and movement at 83-86 mph, but he calls it a curveball and uses a curveball grip. His third pitch is an average changeup. Capps hides the ball well, and his drop-and-drive, crossfire delivery makes it seem as though he's starting pitches behind the backs of righthanders. His to-do list includes sharpening his command and getting quicker to the plate with runners on base. The Future: Capps already has earned a late-inning role for the Mariners in 2013. He has the potential to develop into a dominant closer.