Ryan Ketchner

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #18 prospect in 2004
  With a successful season in high Class A, Ketchner proved he's more than a human-interest story. He's a good pitching prospect, too. Born partially deaf, he has 40 percent of his hearing. He compensates by wearing hearing aids in both ears, which allow him to detect vibrations but not read words, and by reading lips. The USA Deaf Sports Federation named Ketchner its 2003 co-athlete of the year, making him the first baseball player honored in the 48-year history of the award. He led the California League in strikeouts, strikeout-walk ratio (4.8) and shutouts (two). He also was the playoff MVP, pitching Inland Empire to the championship with 13 scoreless innings. Ketchner throws an 85-88 mph fastball with good life, an ordinary slider and a solid average changeup. While he doesn't have a plus pitch, he has a lot going for him. He has the best command in the system and makes his stuff play much better than it is. He can put his pitches exactly where he wants when he wants, and his deceptive delivery has limited pro hitters to a .214 average. Ketchner deftly mixes his pitches and changes speeds, and he has an innate gift for sense a batter's weakness. He can watch his swing path and immediately figure out where the holes are. Ketchner opened 2003 in the bullpen but has earned the chance to start. He'll do that in Double-A this year.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #30 prospect in 2003
  Born partially deaf, Ketchner has 40 percent of his hearing. He wears hearing aids in both of his ears, which allow him to pick up vibrations, and he reads lips. He's believed to be the only deaf pitcher in professional baseball, but Ketchner is notable for more than his handicap. He was the pitcher of the year at Wisconsin in 2002, limiting Midwest League hitters to a .190 average thanks to his command and crafty ability to mix pitches. Ketchner has an 83-88 mph fastball and a below-average slider, though both pitches have the potential to become average. His fastball has plenty of life and his delivery is deceptive, making him difficult to hit. His changeup is his best pitch. Ketchner never has been given a full season as a starter, though that may change as he has asserted himself as a lefty prospect in a system loaded with them. Besides the seven southpaws on the top 30 list, the Mariners also have hopes for: Matt Thornton, the 2001 California League pitcher of the year who's coming back from Tommy John surgery; former nondrafted free agents Glenn Bott and Russ Morgan (who tied for the Cal League lead in victories in 2002); and 2002 draftees Kendall Bergdall, Brandon Perry and Jared Thomas.