Justin Germano

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #21 prospect in 2006
  Picked up with Travis Chick in the Joe Randa deal from the Padres at last year's trade deadline, Germano is pretty close to a finished product. He made his major league debut at 21 two years ago but failed to establish himself in opportunities to join the San Diego rotation. None of his pitches stands out, though he'll flash a plus curveball. He has good movement on a high-80s fastball and an average changeup. Germano's strength is his feel for pitching, as he'll add or subtract velocity to get outs. He's a solid athlete with a fluid delivery and excellent command. That command got him in trouble at the major league level, as he nibbled too much. If he can improve his curveball, he has a chance to be a back-of-the-rotation starter. Unless injuries crop up to create an opening with the Reds, he's slated to start 2006 in Triple-A.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #7 prospect in 2005
  Germano continued his history of overachieving and rapid development in 2004, forcing his way to Triple-A after just five starts and making his major league debut on May 22, earning the win with five solid innings against the Phillies. Germano is a strike-thrower with an advanced feel for pitching. His fastball features good movement, and he can ratchet it up into the low 90s at times. His out pitch is his curveball, an overhand bender that he can break into or out of the zone. His changeup is average now and could become a plus pitch. His fastball velocity is a tick below-average at 87-89 mph. For the first time in his career, Germano didn't trust his stuff when he got to San Diego. He tried to nibble, leaving him behind in the count and hittable. Germano is currently a step ahead of Stauffer because of his experience, and he'll be first in line if an opening develops in San Diego's rotation. He should join Stauffer in the Triple-A rotation to start the season.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #15 prospect in 2004
  Germano's pitching approach is so advanced that the Padres consistently have challenged him, sending him to low Class A at 18 and to Double-A at 20 last year. His best attribute is his ability to throw strikes, though at times he does that too much and becomes too hittable. His overhand curveball is occasionally a plus pitch, but Germano's arsenal is average across the board. San Diego hoped that his lanky build and quick arm were harbingers that he'd add velocity, but his fastball has stayed at 86-88 mph and tops out in the low 90s. He has a good feel for a changeup. The consensus is that Germano's stuff was more impressive in 2002, when he was the organization's minor league pitcher of the year. If he continues to locate his pitches, he could be a back-of-the-rotation starter in the majors. After being added to the 40-man roster in November, he'll open 2004 by returning to Double-A.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #13 prospect in 2003
  The Padres thought so much of Germano's approach to pitching that they sent him to low Class A at age 18 in 2001. He didn't fare well, but he did when he got a second chance as a teenager last year. Germano led the system with 14 victories and improved his career strikeout-walk ratio to 5.6. While he's not overpowering, he has three potential average-or-better pitches and the best command in the system. His top pitch is a curveball that has been compared to Roy Oswalt's. He also throws an 88-89 mph fastball that could pick up velocity because he has a lanky build, wide shoulders and a quick arm. His changeup is decent. At times, Germano becomes too hittable because he's around the plate so much. But the bottom line is he's advanced for his age. He was spectacular in three late-season starts at high Class A and will return there to begin 2003.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #21 prospect in 2002
  Germano opened 2001, his first full year as a pro, in low Class A at age 18. Though he gave up three earned runs or less in nine of his 13 starts, he had just a 2-2 record in those games and was 2-6 overall. The Padres sent him down to Eugene in mid-June, more to boost his confidence than as a result of his performance. Germano has an uncanny ability to throw strikes for a teenager. In his two professional seasons, his 5.4 strikeout-walk ratio is the fourth-best among minor leaguers with 200 innings, trailing San Francisco's Jeff Clark (7.0), Pittsburgh's Justin Reid (5.9) and Houston's Roy Oswalt (5.7). Germano relies on an 86-91 mph fastball, a curveball that has 12-to-6 break at times and slurvy action at others, plus a changeup. While his command and willingness to challenge hitters are positives, he needs to learn not to be around the plate as much in order to avoid giving up hits. Getting stronger also would help after he wore down by instructional league last year. He'll return to what should be an improved Fort Wayne club in 2002.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #18 prospect in 2001
  Germano is similar to Junior Herndon, a lower-round high school draftee who has moved quickly through the system despite lacking overpowering velocity. Germano's fastball can reach the low 90s, though he usually pitches at 88-90 mph. His fastball appears a lot quicker because hitters can't sit on it, having to look instead for a sharp curveball that breaks straight down. He can throw his curveball for strikes in any count, and the same is true of his fastball and changeup. Germano posted an outstanding 67-9 strikeout-walk ratio in his pro debut, though he needs to learn he'll be more effective if he's not around the plate so much because he'll be less hittable. He should open his first full season in low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Northwest League #13 prospect in 2001
  Germano was one of the younger players in the league despite having been a 2000 draft pick. He gained more experience by starting the season in the Class A Midwest League, going 2-6, 4.98 in 65 innings. Germano was one of the NWL's most efficient, polished pitchers. With a good pitcher's body, he figures to improve the velocity on his 90-91 mph fastball. His curveball, a sweeping, slurvy rendition, remains his best pitch, and he throws a decent changeup. His above-average command and feel for pitching makes all his pitches more effective. "If he can add a little more velocity, I could seem him down the line being like a Kevin Millwood, a real workhorse, No. 2 or No. 3 starter," Gardner said. "He can throw his curve and change for strikes and has a great approach for a 19-year-old."
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  Ranked Arizona Complex League #17 prospect in 2000
  Though Germano walked nine and struck out 57 in 67 innings, he didn't throw hard enough to warrant being higher on this list or being selected earlier than the 13th round of this year's draft. He does have other qualities scouts look for. His fastball normally registers just 87-88 mph and occasionally tops out at 91, "but he has a 12-to-6 curveball that makes his fastball look like its 94," Munoz said. "He doesn't throw hard," Bushong said, "but he has a great work ethic and command of three pitches. He can throw his curve for strikes at any point in the count."

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Though Germano walked nine and struck out 57 in 67 innings, he didn't throw hard enough to warrant being higher on this list or being selected earlier than the 13th round of this year's draft. He does have other qualities scouts look for. His fastball normally registers just 87-88 mph and occasionally tops out at 91, "but he has a 12-to-6 curveball that makes his fastball look like its 94," Munoz said. "He doesn't throw hard," Bushong said, "but he has a great work ethic and command of three pitches. He can throw his curve for strikes at any point in the count."