Craig Stammen

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Washington Nationals #20 prospect in 2009
  Stammen finished his three-year college career as the all-time strikeout leader at Dayton, where he excelled as a closer during his sophomore year and as a starter during his junior campaign. He pitched through a knee injury down the stretch in 2007 and had minor surgery to clean it up after the season. The Nationals started him in the bullpen at Potomac in 2008 until a spot opened up in the rotation. After dominating in high Class A and Double-A, he finished the season in Triple-A, where he took his lumps but still showed good stuff. Stammen pitches at 90-94 mph with his four-seam fastball, but the pitch is rather straight, so he began throwing more 89-92 mph two-seamers in 2008. He commands his fastball well and it plays up out of the bullpen. His short, tight curveball is an average pitch that flashes plus at times, and his changeup is another average offering. He sometimes drifts in his delivery, causing his fastball to lose power. Despite his physical, workhorse frame, Stammen needs to incorporate his lower half more into his delivery to make better use of his leverage. He also needs to finish his delivery better. His solid three-pitch mix gives him a chance to be a No. 4 or 5 starter, but some Nats officials see him as a strike-throwing bulldog out of the pen. He'll likely start 2009 in Triple-A but could see significant action in the majors.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #21 prospect in 2007
  Stammen finished his three-year college career as the all-time strikeout leader at Dayton, where he recorded nine saves as a closer his sophomore year and nine complete games as a starter his junior year. He suffered from poor run support during his first full pro season in 2006, when he started 0-6 in low Class A before going 3-0 in June. Stammen has a similar repertoire to teammate Marco Estrada, but he's got a more physical build. Stammen's best offering is a plus curveball with sharp 12-to-6 action that he can throw for strikes or as a chase pitch. His fringe-average fastball sits at 89-91 mph, touches 92 and has late life. He mixes in a two-seam fastball, but his four-seamer is better. He's still trying to harness the command of his high-70s changeup, but he throws it with good arm speed and it can be average at times. He throws across his body, causing his walk totals to climb, but his arm action is quick and easy. Stammen figures to start 2007 at high Class A and profiles as a No. 4 starter.