Lance Cormier
| IP | 468 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.077 |
| WHIP | 1.632 |
| BB/9 | 4.365 |
| SO/9 | 5.308 |
- Full name Lance Robert Cormier
- Born 08/19/1980 in Lafayette, LA
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Alabama
- Debut 06/19/2004
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Drafted in the 4th round (129th overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2002.
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RHP Lance Cormier led the Southeastern Conference in ERA last year, when he declined to sign with the Astros as a 10th-round pick. He might go a few rounds higher as a senior sign in 2002, but he slumped after winning his first eight decisions. The owner of several Alabama career records, he has just an average fastball, but he can throw it, his curveball and changeup (his best pitch) for strikes at any time in the count.
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Drafted as a senior after he declined to sign with the Astros following his junior season, Cormier was one of many emergency replacements who received a rough introduction to the majors in 2004. He earned his first big league win with six-plus solid innings against the Astros in late July, but was hammered for 12 runs in his next two starts and continued to get hit hard following a demotion to the bullpen. Cormier certainly doesn't project as a star, but he has enough stuff to be a serviceable major league pitcher. His fastball sits in the high 80s, but he has excellent command of it, as well as his curveball and plus changeup. He gave major league hitters too much credit when he reached Arizona, and lost his aggressiveness. Without a real out pitch, his future might be best as a swingman or long reliever. He'll begin 2005 looking to build back some confidence at Triple-A. -
Cormier set several school records in a four-year career at Alabama, and his track record, polish and competitive nature attracted the Diamondbacks. In 2003, his first full season, he pitched well after an emergency promotion to Triple-A but had less success in high Class A or Double-A. Cormier throws four solid-average pitches, led by a changeup and curveball. He also has an 88-92 mph fastball and a slider. He delivers all four offerings with pinpoint command but lacks a true out pitch. He could evolve as a back-of-the-rotation starter or return to the bullpen, where he saved 11 games to lead the Southeastern Conference as a freshman. With heated competition set for El Paso's rotation, Cormier could begin 2004 in Triple-A. -
Cormier is similar to Andrew Good, another pitcher who relies more on guile than overpowering stuff. He set several school records in four seasons at Alabama, and signed with Arizona last June after turning down Houston as a 10th-rounder a year earlier. Cormier's changeup is his top pitch, and he throws an 88-92 mph fastball, a curveball and a slider. He has command of all four pitches to all four quadrants of the strike zone. In his pro debut, he issued just two walks in 29 innings. Cormier pitched mainly in relief after signing because he had worked 129 innings with the Crimson Tide during the spring, but he'll move back to the rotation this year in Class A.
