- Full name Aaron Coonrod
- Born
- Profile Throws: L
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The Padres have their share of intriguing arms in the lower levels of their system. Coonrod is the most advanced, surfacing in low Class A at the end of 2003 for Fort Wayne's playoff run. Scouts backed off him coming out of high school in 1999 because of an ankle injury. Ohio State recruited him as a quarterback, but he failed to qualify academically and attended junior college instead. He pitched sparingly as a freshman and became academically ineligible, so he spent 2001 working in a factory. Coonrod rejoined Logan in 2002, finishing among the national leaders in strikeouts while leading the Volunteers to the Junior College World Series. For most of his first two pro seasons, San Diego used Coonrod as a starter to get him innings, but he took off when he moved to his long-term role in the bullpen. His fastball, the best in the system, moved up to the mid-90s and topped out at 97 mph. His breaking ball, which came and went when he was in the rotation, was a more consistent power slider. He also has an effective changeup, though he won't use it as much in relief. Coonrod has a maximum-effort delivery that makes it difficult for him to sustain his stuff, another reason he fits best in the bullpen. His focus, command and secondary pitches still need work. A potential closer, he'll pitch in Class A this season.