Ken Chenard

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Mets #14 prospect in 2002
  Like Eric Cammack, Chenard is coming off surgery that all but ruined his 2001 season. He saw some action in instructional league, and the Mets believe he'll be back to full strength in March. He has outstanding potential and will shoot up this list once he proves he's healthy. That has been a challenge to date, for Chenard was shut down twice during the 2000 season with shoulder soreness associated with a lesion attached to his labrum. Now that the situation appears to be resolved, Chenard could return to the fast track. He has a low-90s fastball with outstanding movement, an above-average curveball and a changeup. Since signing as a draft-and-follow, he has averaged more than a strikeout per inning. Command remains his biggest obstacle, which he'll try to address this year in high Class A.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #13 prospect in 2001
  Chenard's story is similar to that of Athletics closer Jason Isringhausen. Both were selected 40-plus rounds into the draft, signed as draft-and-follows, then saw their fastballs suddenly shoot from 84 mph to 94 the next season. Along with his fastball, Chenard's curveball and changeup are also above-average pitches. His command was erratic last season, but there were extenuating circumstances. He was shut down twice in 2000 with shoulder soreness. A lesion was attached to his labrum, so he spent much of the season resting and then trying to get cranked up again. If he had enough innings to qualify, Chenard would have ranked fifth in the South Atlantic League in ERA last year after finishing ninth in the Appy League ERA race in his pro debut. Providing he stays healthy in 2001, Chenard very well could jump into the organization's top 10 for the first time.