Drafted in the 2nd round (65th overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2007 (signed for $513,000).
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As a star pitcher and quarterback in high school in Tupelo, Kline seemed destined for stardom until his amateur career was interrupted by Tommy John surgery during his senior season. Kline sat out 2004 and has slowly regained the promise he showed in high school. He showed a penchant for pitching well on big stages, like his eight-plus innings in March against Vanderbilt when he matched David Price pitch for pitch. He was roughed up against rival Mississippi State in the regular season, then came back with a 10-strikeout performance in a complete-game win against MSU in the first round of the Southeastern Conference tournament. It's that type of determination and moxie on the mound that give Kline an edge. He works ahead in the count and uses all of his pitches to keep hitters off balance. His stuff is underwhelming--his fastball has ranged from 88-92 mph this season, and his slurvy breaking ball and changeup grade no better than solid-average--but he has plus command and moves the ball around the strike zone well. While Kline's arm action is long, he repeats his delivery and generally has sound mechanics. His durability and competitiveness are pluses, and he might be drafted as high as the fourth round.
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Shortly after signing for $513,000 last June as a second-round pick, Kline described himself as "an unpolished tool ready to be polished." That might have been a little modest after he had gone 7-3, 3.75 with 134 strikeouts in 125 innings during his final season at Mississippi. Kline has worked less than the typical college pitcher, because he had Tommy John surgery during his senior year of high school and it took him a couple of seasons to fully regain his arm strength. He pitched well in nine starts in low Class A, save for an outing in which he allowed 11 of his 16 earned runs. Kline does an excellent job of working ahead in the count and keeping hitters off balance by mixing his pitches and moving the ball around the strike zone. He also shows impressive determination and wants the ball in key situations. His repertoire is far from overwhelming, though he did have one of the best changeups available in the 2007 draft. Kline also has an 89-92 mph fastball and a slurvy breaking ball, both of which rate as average to slightly above. Some scouts were concerned about Kline's long arm action, but he repeats his delivery well and his mechanics are sound. Spring training will determine whether he moves up to high Class A to start his first full pro season.
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