Nathan Vineyard
| IP | 35 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 7.457 |
| WHIP | 1.657 |
| BB/9 | 3.857 |
| SO/9 | 9.257 |
- Full name Nathan Vineyard
- Born 10/03/1988 in Cartersville, GA
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Woodland
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Drafted in the C-A round (47th overall) by the New York Mets in 2007 (signed for $657,000).
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Like fellow Georgia high school lefty Josh Smoker, Vineyard has been on the map as a prospect for several years. His performance has been far less consistent than Smoker's, but he re-established himself as a potential high-round pick last fall when he dealt in front of more than 100 scouts in the featured game of a World Wood Bat tournament in Jupiter, Fla. His delivery is loose and easy and the ball jumps out of his hand. His fastball comes in at 88-91 mph, but because he leans heavily on his plus slider, there's reason to believe he will add velocity once he learns to pitch off his fastball. His slider has late break with good depth and tilt. He'll throw it in any count and can spot it down in the zone or bury it as a chase pitch. Vineyard profiles as a No. 4 starter or set-up man in the big leagues and could be drafted as high as the supplemental round.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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Vineyard made just two starts in low Class A before a shoulder injury led to surgery last May. His recovery is expected to take perhaps longer than a full year, so Vineyard may remain behind in Port St. Lucie, Fla., at the organization's rehab center when the 2009 season begins. Vineyard appeared at No. 9 in the previous year's rankings, and at just 20 years old isn't being written off. The Mets signed Vineyard for $657,000 after he did the summer showcase circuit for Georgia's East Cobb program. Before he got hurt, Vineyard's fastball sat at 88- 91 mph with good movement. The Mets projected he would add velocity prior to his injury, and to fulfill that projection he'll have to attack his rehabilitation. His slider was a plus pitch, though he threw too many as an amateur, which may have led to his shoulder injury. He didn't need his changeup much in high school and it needs refinement. Right now, the Mets just hope he'll be healthy enough to log some innings in 2009. -
Vineyard was a fixture on the summer showcase circuit for Georgia's East Cobb program and helped his cause with a strong performance at the World Wood Bat tournament in Jupiter, Fla., during the fall of his senior year. He wasn't as consistent last spring, but still showed enough for the Mets to draft him 47th overall and sign him for $657,000. At his best, Vineyard throws three pitches that presently grade as average or better, with some projection remaining. His fastball sits at 88-91 mph and he should develop more velocity and command as he uses it more as a pro. His slider is a plus pitch at times, with depth and some low-80s power. He also has shown the ability to turn over his changeup and throw it for strikes. Vineyard threw too many sliders as a high schooler and needs to prove he can get hitters out with his fastball in fastball counts. His changeup needs refinement as well. The Mets believe Vineyard can be a future No. 3 starter and has as much upside as anyone in their 2007 draft class. As a high-schooler, he is further from his ceiling than Eddie Kunz or Brant Rustich. He'll open his first full season at low Class A Savannah.
