Jason Quarles

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #25 prospect in 2006
  Quarles became the accidental pitcher at Southern in 2004. He was recruited as an outfielder from Glen Oaks (Mich.) Community College and moved to the mound when he failed to crack Southern's everyday starting lineup. Two months later, he was a seventh-round draft pick. Quarles' velocity is as good as any pitcher in the organization as he routinely hits 98 mph on the gun with his fastball, though it sits at 92-94. His curveball has a huge break, dropping from the hitter's shoulders to his knees. Quarles also has a fresh arm because he didn't pitch much as an amateur. He needs a lot of polish as he's a thrower at this stage of his career. He needs better command of the fastball to both sides of the plate, as he just basically throws it and hopes for the best. He also has a tendency to bounce his curveball. Quarles began last season in extended spring training before being moved to low Class A. He likely will go back there to start 2006 but the Pirates are willing to be patient because of his live arm.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #28 prospect in 2005
  Quarles completed an improbable rise last year by getting drafted, and now he'll try to complete the story by reaching the major leagues. Southern recruited him as an outfielder from Glen Oaks (Mich.) Community College, but he failed to crack the lineup. He was then converted to a pitcher and wound up being drafted in the seventh round. He has a sizzling fastball that was routinely clocked at 98 mph last spring in college and 96 in his first taste of professional ball, though he controls it better when he throws at 91-93. Quarles also has a devastating curveball with a 12-to-6 break that he throws with maximum effort. His curve and his size have drawn him frequent Tom Gordon comparisons. He has little pitching experience and needs to smooth out his mechanics. He has almost no experience pitching out of the windup or throwing a changeup, though that doesn't come into play much as a reliever. Quarles will begin this season in low Class A and still has a lot of work to do. Though his future is in the bullpen, the Pirates may use him as a starter to give him more innings. If he adapts well, his live arm could get him to the major leagues quickly.