- Full name Ryan Dittfurth
- Born
- Profile Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Dittfurth ranked as the organization's No. 6 prospect a year ago, before a serious shoulder injury derailed his impressive march through the minors. He had October surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, and while that injury no longer spells certain doom for a pitcher, it may keep him off the mound for the entire 2003 season. The Rangers protected him on their 40- man roster, then got him through waivers and outrighted him to Triple-A once the season was over. Texas was glad to hold on to Dittfurth because of his arm strength and makeup. He's driven and an excellent competitor on the mound. When healthy, Dittfurth pitches off his fastball, which has low-90s velocity and sinks. He also throws a curveball, slider and changeup. The Rangers now must hope Dittfurth's stuff returns when he comes back. They should get their first look late in the summer or in instructional league. -
To sway Dittfurth to turn pro rather than attending Texas A&M, the Rangers arranged for him to meet Nolan Ryan. Three years later, Dittfurth won the organization's Nolan Ryan award as its minor league pitcher of the year. He has spent one season at each of the four lowest levels of the system, flourishing at that pace. Dittfurth uses four pitches, the best of which is a 93 mph running fastball. It has heavy sink that makes it difficult for hitters to lift. He also throws a sweeping curveball that's effective against lefthanders, plus a slider and changeup. The key for him in 2001 was much improved command. He gained better control of his body and focused on attacking the strike zone. He uses his gangly body to hide the ball well in his delivery. Dittfurth's mound composure has improved but still needs work. He had shown a tendency to come undone in the face of adversity. He can be difficult to catch, as evidenced by his 15 wild pitches last season. The combination of four good pitches and growing maturity could allow Dittfurth to come on in a hurry. He'll start this season in Double-A but could finish in Triple-A. -
Dittfurth embodies the Rangers' renewed affection for young power pitchers. He has the frame and the arm that should make him overpowering once he matures. All Dittfurth has to do is find the strike zone with the fastball. In addition to leading the South Atlantic League in walks last season, Dittfurth also threw 16 wild pitches and hit 17 batters. Righthanders need courage to step in against him. He must gain better control of his body to keep his delivery from going out of kilter. Dittfurth doesn't have a way to adjust if he can't locate his fastball. He also throws a curveball and changeup, but his fastball is what will carry him to the majors, and the Rangers hope he'll be able to control it as he gains more experience.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Dittfurth always has been armed with a lively arsenal, but command had escaped him. He turned things around at Charlotte this season as he finally started to harness his boring 92-94 mph fastball, sharp curveball and changeup. "His curveball is pretty good to lefthanders," Dunedin manager Marty Pevey said. "And he has command of his changeup. That's saying a lot." Charlotte pitching coach Fred Dabney said Dittfurth has become more consistent with his mechanics and more confident of his ability to go after hitters. He's still wild at times, as evidenced by his 15 wild pitches and 17 hit batsmen. -
Dittfurth, the youngest of Pulaski's four key starters, was at his best when he got ahead in the count and dropped a curveball in for strike three. He had 85 strikeouts in 83 innings. But he's not just a breaking ball pitcher; he has an average fastball, too. "He looked like a Triple-A pitcher against us," Bluefield manager Duffy Dyer said. "He's got great command of two pitches."
