Pedro Beato

Beato was considered an attractive, projectable pitcher as a high school underclassman at Xaverian High in Brooklyn, then had Tommy John surgery in April 2004. He returned for his senior season and showed enough to persuade the Mets to take a flier, drafting him in the 17th round last year as a draft-and-follow. They were expected to sign him, and he could command as much as $1 million. He lacks polish but flashes mid-90s heat from a clean, quick arm action. On scout day at St. Petersburg Junior College, he asked to run the 60-yard-dash and turned in a 6.7-second time, which speaks to his athletic ability. Beato features four pitches, with his fastball, slider and changeup all showing potential to be plus pitches. His fastball sits near 90 mph, touching 96. It has good, late life and sink. His 84-85 mph slider is a power pitch that he doesn't command consistently, but has sharp bite. He has feel for his changeup and will show a curveball that isn't the swing-and-miss offering his slider is. Beato has trouble repeating his delivery, which leads to erratic control. But his arm works well, and when he finds a comfortable, three-quarters slot, he can be dominant.