- Full name Mike Penney
- Born
- Profile Throws: R
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No Milwaukee farmhand took a bigger step in the wrong direction in 2001 than Penney, who was in the organization top 10 a year ago but proved not able to take the final step in his development. The Brewers expected him to be ready to make the jump from Triple-A to the big leagues if needed. Instead, he pitched poorly and was demoted to Double-A. The club hoped Penney would recover in the Arizona Fall League, but he experienced some shoulder stiffness and was shut down almost immediately. Before the year was done, he was dropped from the 40-man roster. The low-90s fastball and plus curveball that he had shown in 2000 weren't apparent last year. He should be moving forward, not backward, which makes 2002 a make-or-break year. -
Penney was strictly a starter for 2 1/2 professional seasons before finding a niche as short reliever in the second half of 2000. After proving he could close games at Huntsville, he was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis and served as a capable set-up man. Penney's Arizona Fall League debut was halted after three outings when he cut his finger in an off-field accident. Penny has a low- to mid-90s fastball and an above-average curveball. He has the poise and makeup to be a short reliever, and he has the ability to reach back and get a strikeout when he gets into trouble. As a starter, he habitually lost velocity as the game wore on, which led to his conversion to a short reliever. He's really a two-pitch pitcher with no reliable slider or changeup. Thanks to his new role, Penney realizes the big leagues are within his grasp. He'll probably start 2001 as the closer at Indy. Getting hurt in Arizona was unfortunate during what otherwise was a breakthrough year.