DeSalvo was one of the best NCAA Division III pitchers ever, setting NCAA all-division records for wins (53) and strikeouts (603), but his slight frame and a knee injury that forced him to redshirt his fourth year in college caused him to pass through the 2002 draft unclaimed. The Yankees signed him as a fifth-year senior before the 2003 draft, and he was Trenton's ace last year, pitching the Thunder to the Eastern League playoffs. DeSalvo has altered his delivery since college, varying his arm angle to put more movement on his 89-90 mph fastball. When he goes over the top, he gets more velocity, but he rarely does so anymore. Instead, he keeps his fastball down and uses it to set up his plus-plus changeup that fools hitters because of his deceptive arm action and its late sink. DeSalvo also has two solid-average breaking balls, a slider and changeup, and good control of both. Despite fringy stuff, DeSalvo is tough to hit--his .202 opponent average ranked sixth in the minors among starting pitchers. He never gives in to hitters, a trait that endears him to scouts and managers. His bulldog mentality and passion to win make his makeup his best attribute. DeSalvo will rely on the same formula as he moves up to Triple-A this year. He profiles as a fourth or fifth starter.
In the first half of the season, DeSalvo treated the Florida State League as if it were the Ohio Athletic Conference, which he dominated for four seasons and part of a fifth. At Division III Marietta (Ohio), DeSalvo set NCAA all-division records for wins (53) and strikeouts (603). The Yankees signed him as a fifth-year senior before the 2003 draft, after his slight build and a knee injury kept him from being picked the previous year. He relies heavily on his 88-90 mph fastball and gets away with it because of his command and movement on the pitch. His quick arm and high, overhand arm angle give his fastball good life down in the zone. DeSalvo has fringy secondary pitches, with his changeup grading out a bit better than his loopy curveball. His best attribute is his competitiveness. His overall combination wasn't good enough in his first try at Double-A, and he missed much of the second half of the season with back pain. A healthy DeSalvo will get another shot at Double-A in 2005.
Despite recording a NCAA Division III record 205 strikeouts in 2001 and establishing NCAA all-division career marks for wins (53) and whiffs (603), DeSalvo went undrafted throughout his college career. He didn't go completely unnoticed by scouts. Yankees area scout Mike Gibbons signed him as a fifth-year senior before the 2003 draft. DeSalvo missed most of the 2002 season with a knee injury before coming back to win BA's Small College Player of the Year award with a 13-2, 1.31 record and 157 strikeouts in 96 innings. The injury, his size and herky-jerky delivery kept him from getting drafted. DeSalvo has legitimate stuff to support his gaudy numbers. His fastball ranges from 87-93 mph and maxed out at 94 in low Class A. He complements his heater with a good 12-to-6 curveball. His changeup is average, but he needs to incorporate it into his mix more often. His delivery includes a leg kick and his hip turn provides a deceptive look, as DeSalvo's pitches get on hitters in a hurry. He could jump all the way to Double-A to start his first full season.
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Rated Best Changeup in the New York Yankees in 2006
Rated Best Changeup in the New York Yankees in 2005
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