David Crouthers

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #10 prospect in 2004
  Crouthers was an all-conference outfielder for three years running at NCAA Division II Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. He doubled as a starting pitcher in 2001, when he set Cougars season records for RBIs and pitching strikeouts (breaking Orioles farmhand Aaron Rakers' mark). Baltimore saw his frame and pictured him as a workhorse starter. Crouthers' strong build earns comparisons to that of Dave Stieb and Matt Clement, and he has an easy arm action. His fastball sits at 93-94 mph and touches 96. His slider also can be an above-average pitch at times. When everything is working Crouthers can be dominant, but that doesn't happen often enough. His slider and command need more consistency, and he needs to use his changeup more. The Orioles used a pitching script that compelled him to throw the changeup in certain counts, and it has the potential to be a plus pitch. Crouthers remains a work in progress, but on the right day he looks ready for the majors. The Orioles will send him back to Double-A to start 2004.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #14 prospect in 2003
  Crouthers was drafted out of Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, where he was the team's cleanup hitter and broke school records for both RBIs and pitching strikeouts. He was also a teammate of fellow Orioles minor leaguer Aaron Rakers. A converted shortstop with low mileage on his arm, Crouthers has a big frame and easy arm action. He already throws 92-94 mph with a decent slider and changeup. He's also an excellent athlete who repeats his delivery well. But he is a project because of his inexperience on the mound. Crouthers still is refining his pitches and trying to develop consistent command, so nuances like how to attack hitters are still in his future. Expect Crouthers to take a level-to-level path through the minors, which will put him in high Class A for 2003. His lack of refinement makes him risky and could lead to an eventual move to the bullpen, but his arm definitely bears watching.