- Full name Josh Habel
- Born
- Profile Throws: L
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Habel is the 2003 version of Jeff Clark, a soft-tossing minor leaguer who earned a look as a prospect because of his performance. While Habel didn't have much success at Northern Iowa with a 6.69 ERA in four seasons, he did have two solid summers in the wood-bat Northwoods League. He doesn't have the power arm of the typical Giants prospect, but he's lefthanded and throws strikes. He pushed his way into Hagerstown's rotation last June and pitched scoreless ball in five of his final 13 starts to make the South Atlantic League all-star team. He emulates Jamie Moyer by commanding a high-80s fastball and a plus changeup. One San Francisco official rated Habel's changeup an 80 on the 20-80 scouting scale because of its deception, command and movement down in the zone. Habel will need to further develop his breaking ball to stay in the rotation. He'll advance to high Class A this year as the Giants hope he has more staying power than Clark, who faded after a breakout 2002.
