- Full name Jeff Urban
- Born
- Profile Throws: L
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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On the fast track when he signed, Urban came crashing down when he separated his pitching shoulder and tore his labrum when he fell awkwardly during a pickup basketball game in January 2000. The injury and resulting surgery kept him from pitching last year, but he returned with a strong effort in instructional league to earn a 40-man roster spot. Urban can throw four pitches for strikes, including a sneaky-fast fastball that has reached 94 mph, a cut fastball/slider that complements his tailing four-seamer, a good changeup and a developing curveball. He has excellent mechanics for his size, and they remained the same after his inactivity. Urban missed a year and a chance to show he can handle Double-A, which he didn't do at the outset of 1999. He was 80 percent back in instructional league and will have to prove to the Giants that he has learned from his time off. Obviously, San Francisco remains intrigued by a lefthander with quality stuff. Urban will be challenged at Shreveport and could move quickly if he can shake off the rust. -
Background: The Giants chose the 6-foot-8 Urban with a compensation pick for losing free-agent Wilson Alvarez. After a slow start in the Northwest League, Urban won four consecutive starts for Cal League champion San Jose down the stretch. Strengths: Urban's fastball is solid average in the 89-92 range. He complements it with a good changeup, a slider and a curveball. Urban is a good athlete with sound delivery fundamentals who shows the potential to have above-average command. Weaknesses: Both of Urban's breaking balls need improvement to become big league pitches. Because of his height, Urban's high release point would make an effective breaking ball very intimidating to lefthanded hitters. The Future: Urban's ability to throw strikes and change speeds is so advanced, the Giants will likely start him in Double-A this spring. His ability to master one of his breaking balls will determine his progress beyond Double-A.