Greg Runser

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Texas Rangers #30 prospect in 2002
  Converted to relief after transferring from San Jacinto (Texas) JC to Houston, Runser hasn't looked back. He had a 1.12 ERA in his pro debut in 2000, then saved 30 games and was a Florida State League all-star in his first full pro season. He's a workhorse who throws a 90- 95 mph fastball, a hard slider and a useful changeup. He pounds the strike zone and has the mentality to handle closing. Runser suffered through a dead-arm period in the middle of the Florida heat last summer, but rebounded in the second half. He earned saves in his first eight appearances in Panama this winter, an assignment that could help him advance more rapidly. He's ticketed for Double-A in 2002.
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  Ranked Texas Rangers #20 prospect in 2001
  In one year, Runser went from an out-of-shape junior college starter to a closer for the University of Houston, which came within one game of advancing to the 2000 College World Series. Frustrated with his bullpen, Cougars coach Rayner Noble took Runser out of the rotation and made him a closer. The switch turned Runser into a late sensation for the draft, and he went in the fifth round. A lighter and better-conditioned Runser added about 4 mph to his fastball, giving him a 94-mph heater to go with an excellent changeup that can be a strikeout pitch. His third pitch is a slider. He overmatched younger hitters in the Appalachian League and possibly could start 2001 by skipping Savannah and heading to high Class A.