Shane Nance

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #22 prospect in 2004
  Nance was a human yo-yo in 2003, moving between Milwaukee and Triple-A Indianapolis four times. He had trouble sticking with the Brewers because he was hit hard and kept coughing up homers. He tore the biceps muscle in his right arm in 2002, but it didn't hold him back in 2003. Milwaukee sent him to Arizona in the Richie Sexson trade, and Nance will try to fill the lefty specialist role with a new organization. He has pitched well throughout the minors, and to succeed in the majors he's going to have to work down and away more often instead of leaving the ball over the plate. He pitches with a solid fastball, plus changeup and so-so curveball. Generously listed at 5-foot-8, Nance throws on a very flat plane that makes his stuff easier to hit. His command has been fine in the minors, but he has been too tentative in the majors. He'll audition for the Arizona staff in spring training.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #15 prospect in 2003
  Nance's first trip to the big leagues had an unhappy ending in an unusual place: the batter's box. Picked up along with Ben Diggins in a deal that sent Tyler Houston and Brian Mallette to Los Angeles, Nance threw 17 shutout innings in Triple-A after switching organizations to earn his first callup. In his fourth game with Milwaukee, he tore his right (non-pitching) biceps tendon while swinging a bat and needed surgery to have it reattached. He's expected to be fine by the time camp opens and will compete for a job in the Brewers bullpen. If they're judging by heart, Nance has a good chance. After setting Houston career records for wins (32) and strikeouts (388), he was passed over by many clubs who were put off by his size. He's listed at 5-foot-8 and might be shorter. He has pitched well at virtually every level, including a stint with Team USA during the 2001 World Cup, and was the winning pitcher in last year's Triple-A all-star game. While Nance doesn't have an overpowering pitch, his fastball jumped into the low 90s in 2002 and he has always gotten outs with his plus changeup. He also mixes in a curveball. Though he'll probably never be an all-star, Nance definitely has a chance to stick in the majors for a few years.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #19 prospect in 2002
  After a successful college career, Nance was nevertheless not a premium draft pick because of his size. But he breezed through high Class A en route to Double-A in his first full pro season. He also pitched well in the Arizona Fall League and was even better at the World Cup, pitching 6 1/3 scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts and no walks for Team USA. Short and stocky, Nance isn't overly impressive except for his ability to get hitters out. His fastball, curveball and changeup aren't overwhelming but are effective. His command of all three pitches is inconsistent from game to game, but he has shown encouraging signs that the pieces are starting to come together. The Dodgers say they're more interested in a player's heart than his size, and they love the way Nance wants the ball in any situation. He'll probably get promoted to Triple-A this spring and could get a look in Chavez Ravine at some point during the 2002 campaign.