Drafted in the 1st round (26th overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008 (signed for $1,330,000).
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The son of former NFL offensive lineman and current ESPN commentator Mark Schlereth, Daniel Schlereth was an eighth-round pick last year as a draft-eligible sophomore, having missed a year due to Tommy John surgery. Schlereth didn't sign and has come back improved as part of a devastating Arizona bullpen with three of the nation's best power arms. While teammate Ryan Perry figures to be drafted higher this year (and sophomore closer Jason Stoffel should go higher next year), Schlereth was making a case to go in the first two rounds by showing improved command and stuff from 2007. Schlereth finds the strike zone more consistently with his 90-94 mph fastball and at times has more velocity, sometimes sitting 94-96. His power breaking ball is a swing-and-miss pitch, and he's done a better job of throwing it for strikes. After a failed bid as a starter earlier in his career, Schlereth has shown the guts to challenge hitters with his stuff in a relief role and could be the rare lefthanded closer as a pro. The biggest question will be whether or not he can maintain his stuff while improving his control. He'll never have command with the effort he puts into his delivery, but he still doesn't throw as many quality strikes as he'll need to at higher levels. He's expected to be drafted in the first three rounds.
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The son of former NFL lineman and ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth, Daniel overcame Tommy John surgery in 2006 to go 26th overall in the draft two years later. Ten months after signing with the Diamondbacks for $1.33 million, he was in the big leagues. Arizona shipped him to Detroit in December in a deal that brought Edwin Jackson to the desert. Schlereth has the potential to be a rare power-pitching lefty closer. He has a 93-96 mph fastball with riding life, and he can buckle knees with his hard 82-84 mph curveball. Though he didn't need it in college, he also flashes a changeup that dives and floats. He's intense on the mound and wants the ball late in games. Schlereth struggled in the big leagues because he battled his command. He couldn't maintain a consistent release point, hurting his ability to locate his pitches. He needs to throw more strikes, and batters shouldn't tee off on his swing-and-miss stuff if he does. As soon as Schlereth works out his control issues, he'll be pitching in the late innings for the Tigers.
As a local product who attended nearby Arizona, Schlereth was well known to the Diamondbacks. So when he bounced back from Tommy John surgery in 2006 to show his power stuff again last spring, Arizona jumped on him with the 26th overall pick and signed him for $1.33 million. The son of former NFL offensive lineman and ESPN commentator Mark Schlereth, he dominated in the Midwest League playoffs after a late promotion. Schlereth is perfectly suited to a role at the back of a bullpen. He has an explosive fastball that sits in the mid-90s and a power curveball that's also a plus pitch, not to mention the adrenaline and makeup for the role. He showed good control of both pitches last spring and summer. Staying healthy and learning how to absorb a full season's worth of work, along with sharpening his command, are about the only things standing between Schlereth and a major league job. He worked on a changeup in instructional league to give him an occasional third option. Though he worked just 12 regular-season innings after signing, Schlereth probably will jump to Double-A to open 2009. The Diamondbacks won't hold him back if he shows he can handle more advanced hitters. He has the arm to be a closer someday.
Minor League Top Prospects
The Diamondbacks drafted Schlereth with the 26th overall pick in June 2008, then brought him up to the big leagues in late May. Being rushed showed as he struggled with his command. He returned to Mobile after six relief outings with Arizona, then spent the rest of the season shuttling between the two stops. Schlereth has a quick arm and three quality pitches, including a 92-95 mph fastball that touches 96. His power curveball is a plus pitch at 82-83 mph with sharp downward action. He also shows good arm speed on his 77-79 mph changeup, which should be a reliable third weapon for him with more experience. Schlereth's command needs to progress for him to succeed in the majors, and the first step will be maintaining a consistent release point. He should be able to pitch in late-inning situations once he learns to locate his pitches, with the potential to be a closer down the road.
Career Transactions
Sugar Land Skeeters activated LHP Daniel Schlereth from the temporarily inactive list.
Sugar Land Skeeters activated LHP Daniel Schlereth from the temporarily inactive list.
Sugar Land Skeeters placed LHP Daniel Schlereth on the temporarily inactive list.
Sugar Land Skeeters activated LHP Daniel Schlereth from the 7-day injured list.
Sugar Land Skeeters placed LHP Daniel Schlereth on the 7-day injured list retroactive to June 16, 2019.
Sugar Land Skeeters signed free agent LHP Daniel Schlereth.
Boston Red Sox released LHP Daniel Schlereth.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to Boston Red Sox.
LHP Daniel Schlereth elected free agency.
Tacoma Rainiers activated LHP Daniel Schlereth from the 7-day disabled list.
Tacoma Rainiers placed LHP Daniel Schlereth on the 7-day disabled list.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to Tacoma Rainiers from Arkansas Travelers.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to Arkansas Travelers.
Seattle Mariners signed free agent LHP Daniel Schlereth to a minor league contract.
LHP Daniel Schlereth elected free agency.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp from New Orleans Baby Cakes.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to New Orleans Baby Cakes from Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp from New Orleans Baby Cakes.
New Orleans Baby Cakes placed LHP Daniel Schlereth on the 7-day disabled list.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to New Orleans Baby Cakes from Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp from New Orleans Baby Cakes.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to New Orleans Baby Cakes from Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp from Jupiter Hammerheads.
Jupiter Hammerheads activated LHP Daniel Schlereth from the 7-day disabled list.
Jupiter Hammerheads placed LHP Daniel Schlereth on the 7-day disabled list.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to Palm Beach Cardinals.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to Jupiter Hammerheads.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to Miami Marlins.
Memphis Redbirds released LHP Daniel Schlereth.
St. Louis Cardinals signed free agent LHP Daniel Schlereth to a minor league contract.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats released LHP Daniel Schlereth.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to Vancouver Canadians from New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to New Hampshire Fisher Cats from Buffalo Bisons.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to Toronto Blue Jays.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to Buffalo Bisons.
Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent LHP Daniel Schlereth to a minor league contract.
Iowa Cubs released LHP Daniel Schlereth.
Iowa Cubs activated LHP Daniel Schlereth from the 7-day disabled list.
Iowa Cubs placed LHP Daniel Schlereth on the 7-day disabled list.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs signed free agent LHP Daniel Schlereth to a minor league contract.
Detroit Tigers released LHP Daniel Schlereth.
Detroit Tigers signed free agent LHP Daniel Schlereth to a minor league contract.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to Toledo Mud Hens.
Toledo Mud Hens activated LHP Daniel Schlereth from the temporarily inactive list.
Toledo Mud Hens placed LHP Daniel Schlereth on the temporarily inactive list.
Indianapolis Indians traded LHP Daniel Schlereth to Toledo Mud Hens.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to Toledo Mud Hens.
LHP Daniel Schlereth roster status changed by Indianapolis Indians.
Indianapolis Indians placed LHP Daniel Schlereth on the 7-day disabled list.
Indianapolis Indians activated LHP Daniel Schlereth from the 7-day disabled list.
Indianapolis Indians placed LHP Daniel Schlereth on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to June 6, 2014.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent LHP Daniel Schlereth to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
LHP Daniel Schlereth elected free agency.
Norfolk Tides activated LHP Daniel Schlereth from the 7-day disabled list.
LHP Daniel Schlereth assigned to Norfolk Tides.
Norfolk Tides placed LHP Daniel Schlereth on the 7-day disabled list.
Norfolk Tides activated LHP Daniel Schlereth from the 7-day disabled list.
Norfolk Tides placed LHP Daniel Schlereth on the 7-day disabled list.
Baltimore Orioles signed free agent LHP Daniel Schlereth to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
LHP Daniel Schlereth elected free agency.
Detroit Tigers activated LHP Daniel Schlereth from the 60-day disabled list.
sent LHP Daniel Schlereth on a rehab assignment to Toledo Mud Hens.
sent LHP Daniel Schlereth on a rehab assignment to Lakeland Flying Tigers.
Detroit Tigers transferred LHP Daniel Schlereth from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.
Daniel Schlereth roster status changed by Toledo Mud Hens.
Detroit Tigers optioned Daniel Schlereth to Toledo Mud Hens.
Daniel Schlereth assigned to Toledo Mud Hens.
Detroit Tigers placed LHP Daniel Schlereth on the 15-day disabled list. Left shoulder tendinitis.
Detroit Tigers recalled Daniel Schlereth from Toledo Mud Hens.
Detroit Tigers optioned Daniel Schlereth to Toledo Mud Hens.
Detroit Tigers selected the contract of Daniel Schlereth from Toledo Mud Hens.
Detroit Tigers optioned Daniel Schlereth to Toledo Mud Hens.
Detroit Tigers recalled Daniel Schlereth from Toledo Mud Hens.
Detroit Tigers optioned Daniel Schlereth to Toledo Mud Hens.
New York Yankees Traded RHP Ian Kennedy to Arizona Diamondbacks; New York Yankees Traded CF Austin Jackson and LHP Phil Coke to Detroit Tigers; Detroit Tigers Traded CF Curtis Granderson to New York Yankees; Arizona Diamondbacks Traded LHP Daniel Schlereth and RHP Max Scherzer to Detroit Tigers and Detroit Tigers Traded RHP Edwin Jackson to Arizona Diamondbacks.
Arizona Diamondbacks recalled Daniel Schlereth from Reno Aces.
Arizona Diamondbacks recalled Daniel Schlereth from Mobile BayBears.
Arizona Diamondbacks optioned Daniel Schlereth to Reno Aces.
Daniel Schlereth roster status changed by Mobile BayBears.
Mobile BayBears placed LHP Daniel Schlereth on the 7-day disabled list. ribcage strain
Arizona Diamondbacks optioned LHP Daniel Schlereth to Mobile BayBears.
Arizona Diamondbacks selected the contract of Daniel Schlereth from Mobile BayBears.
Arizona Diamondbacks signed LHP Daniel Schlereth.
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