Adrian Sampson

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #15 prospect in 2015
  Sampson's chances of being drafted high out of high school fell apart when he needed Tommy John surgery his senior season. After that setback, Sampson decided to go to Bellevue (Wash.) CC instead of Oregon as originally planned. After not coming to terms with the Marlins as a 16th-round pick in 2011, he signed with the Pirates for $250,000 after his sophomore season in 2012. Sampson came to pro ball as a two-pitch pitcher who had a low-90s fastball and a big-breaking curve. The fastball is a tick above-average pitch because he gets some sink and tail to the offering that he can locate arm side and glove side. His curve morphed into a slurve and has now transformed into an average slider. But Sampson's development took off because of the lumps he took trying to develop his changeup in 2013. He developed feel for the pitch to the point where it played as a fringe-average offering at Double-A Altoona in 2014. It's still a little firm and he sometimes slows his arm, but he held lefties to a .703 OPS in 2014. Sampson has been somewhat under the radar to this point, but he will begin 2015 at Triple-A Indianapolis and could make it to Pittsburgh. He projects as a back-end starter or at least a useful setup man.
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #27 prospect in 2014
  Sampson committed to play collegiately at Oregon twice but never made it to Eugene. He had Tommy John surgery in 2010, during his senior year at Skyline High in Sammamish, Wash., and decided to attend Bellevue (Wash.) CC after graduation. Drafted in the 16th round by the Marlins in 2011, Sampson declined to sign, though he did recommit to Oregon. The Pirates enticed him to turn pro the following year with a $250,000 bonus for the fifth-rounder. Sampson's fastball sits in the 89-91 mph range, topping out at 94, but his out-pitch is a drop-off-the-table curveball. His changeup also is becoming a solid-average pitch, giving him the diversified arsenal needed to remain a starter. The Pirates jumped Sampson to high Class A Bradenton in 2013, but he had a tough time adjusting to the better level of competition. He fared better as the season went on, though he might begin 2014 back at Bradenton before moving up to Double-A Altoona.
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #21 prospect in 2013
  Sampson was one of the top high school players in Washington going into 2010, but he tore an elbow ligament and missed his senior season following Tommy John surgery. He had committed to play at Oregon before his elbow reconstruction, then decided to stay close to home and attend Bellevue (Wash.) CC. He spurned the Marlins after they selected him in the 16th round of the 2011 draft before signing with the Pirates for $250,000 as a fifth-round pick last summer. At his best, Sampson has three solid pitches. His sinking fastball usually sits at 91 mph and tops out at 94, though at times it will dip to 87-91. His curveball has good depth and break and often is his best pitch. His changeup is effective as well. Sampson came with a reputation for controlling and commanding his pitches, though he wasn't as sharp in his pro debut. He has the upside of a mid-rotation starter and will head to low Class A for his first full pro season.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #84 prospect in 2012 draft
  Sampson was a highly ranked prospect in high school but needed Tommy John surgery during his senior year, so he didn't get drafted and wound up going the junior college route instead of honoring his commitment to Oregon. Sampson's brother, Julian, spent four years in the Phillies system. Adrian was a 16th-round pick by the Marlins last year, but did not sign and projects to go significantly higher this time around. His fastball has been better than it was last year. He generally has been sitting in the low 90s and touching 94 mph, though he was more in the 87-91 mph in some stretches. His best pitch is his curveball, which is already an above-average pitch with sharp, late break, and he's showing improved feel for his changeup. Sampson pitches with above-average control and command and has the confidence to throw any of his pitches in any count. He is again committed to Oregon but is considered more likely to sign this year.

• December, 2014 Scouting Report
  Sampson's chances of being drafted high out of high school fell apart when he needed Tommy John surgery his senior season. After that setback, Sampson decided to go to Bellevue (Wash.) CC instead of Oregon as originally planned. After not coming to terms with the Marlins as a 16th-round pick in 2011, he signed with the Pirates for $250,000 after his sophomore season in 2012. Sampson came to pro ball as a two-pitch pitcher who had a low-90s fastball and a big-breaking curve. The fastball is a tick above-average pitch because he gets some sink and tail to the offering that he can locate arm side and glove side. His curve morphed into a slurve and has now transformed into an average slider. But Sampson's development took off because of the lumps he took trying to develop his changeup in 2013. He developed feel for the pitch to the point where it played as a fringe-average offering at Double-A Altoona in 2014. It's still a little firm and he sometimes slows his arm, but he held lefties to a .703 OPS in 2014. Sampson has been somewhat under the radar to this point, but he will begin 2015 at Triple-A Indianapolis and could make it to Pittsburgh. He projects as a back-end starter or at least a useful setup man.