Jessie Corn

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #24 prospect in 2004
  Corn reflects the shift in Boston's draft philosophy. His size (6-foot-1) and velocity (87-90 mph) didn't wow scouts, but the Red Sox coveted his pitching acumen and performance record, which included a 37-inning scoreless streak and Atlantic Sun Conference bests in ERA (2.27) and strikeouts (119 in 115 innings) as a junior last spring. Corn had a combined 4-10, 5.16 in his first two years at Jacksonville State, mainly because Gamecocks coaches wouldn't let him throw his slider. That's easily his best pitch, rating as the best in the organization and grading as a 65 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He reached 92 mph with his fastball in instructional league but won't overpower hitters. Instead, Corn will get ahead in the count with precise command of his full repertoire, which also includes a curveball and changeup, then put them away with the slider. He had a tired arm after the college season and pitched just four innings during the summer, though he looked refreshed by instructional league. Boston will use Corn as a starter in one of its Class A rotations this year to give him innings to refine his changeup. Long term he might fit better as a reliever and could reach the majors fairly quickly in that role.