- Full name Mike Wodnicki
- Born
- Profile Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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At Stanford, Wodnicki went to the three College World Series in three years but was buried behind pitchers such as Mike Gosling, Jeremy Guthrie, Justin Wayne and Jason Young--all of whom became first- or second-round picks, signed for a total of $10.7 million in bonuses and became top pro prospects. Last year, on Peoria's Midwest League championship team, he was overshadowed by Dan Haren, Justin Pope and Tyler Johnson. But Wodnicki, acquired when Brett Tomko became too expensive for the Padres and was traded to St. Louis in December, is a legitimate prospect. He throws a lively low-90s fastball and tight slider with above-average command. He can get overexcited, which contributed to his 1-5, 4.37 start in 2002. But once he settled himself down and focused on throwing first-pitch strikes, he posted a 3.13 ERA for the remainder of the regular season and pitched well in two postseason starts. Peoria manager Danny Sheaffer insisted that Wodnicki would one day reach the majors. How well he develops his changeup will determine whether he does so as a starter or middle reliever. He'll be in the high Class A rotation this year.