- Full name Josh Kalinowski
- Born
- Profile Throws: L
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Kalinowski was drafted twice by the Rockies before signing as a draft-and-follow after a year at Indian Hills (Iowa) Community College. He's also a product of Casper (Wyo.) Natrona County High, which also produced big leaguers Tom Browning, Mike Devereaux and Mike Lansing. Since being named Carolina League pitcher of the year and winning his second consecutive league strikeout title in 1999, Kalinowski has battled an assortment of ailments the last two seasons. He had arthroscopic elbow surgery in 2000 and an esophagus virus that put him in the hospital in 2001. He finally regained his full strength during the Arizona Fall League. Kalinowski has three-pitch potential. His curveball is his calling card, but he has to learn to use his fastball more to set up the curve. He showed progress with his changeup in the AFL, using it as many as 15 times in a game. A high school quarterback, Kalinowski is a competitor but sometimes can't control his emotions. He most likely will return to Double-A to open 2002 but could surface in the big leagues as a lefthanded reliever later this season. -
Kalinowski is a product of Natrona County (Wyo.) High, which also churned out big leaguers Tom Browning, Mike Devereaux and Mike Lansing. Signed as a draft-and-follow, Kalinowski led his league in strikeouts in each of his first two full years and was named the high Class A Carolina League pitcher of the year in 1999. But a nagging elbow problem sidelined him for the bulk of 2000 and resulted in arthroscopic surgery. Kalinowski has three-pitch potential. His strikeout pitch is a curveball, and there are no concerns about how the mile-high altitude of Coors Field will affect its break because he learned to throw the pitch at altitude in Wyoming. Kalinowski also has a quality fastball that touches 90 mph on a consistent basis. An all-state selection as a high school football and basketball player, he's an excellent athlete who fields his position well. He must learn to work off his fastball instead of the curveball. He also has to refine a changeup, an important pitch for him to claim a rotation spot. His command will need to improve as he rises up the ladder. Kalinowski has been given a clean bill of health after his surgery. He figures to open 2001 back at Carolina with the possibility of a quick promotion to Colorado Springs. -
Background: A draft-and-follow by the Rockies twice--out of high school and again out of junior college--Kalinowski finished second in the minor leagues with 215 strikeouts last year, and threw a no-hitter against Charleston, S.C. He struck out at least seven in 17 of his starts. Strengths: Kalinowski has a devastating curveball that he can throw for strikes and a solid fastball, especially for a lefthander. He is athletic and fields his position well. He has good size and figures to fill out and get stronger. Weaknesses: The curveball can be a curse as well as a blessing. Kalinowski has a tendency to fly open on it too much. He needs to use his fastball more. And he still has to develop his changeup as a third pitch. The Future: It's not out of the question that Kalinowski could jump from Asheville to Double-A Carolina, but it's more likely he will open the season with Class A Salem.
Minor League Top Prospects
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The Rockies are taking no chances with Kalinowski, the league ERA and strikeout leader. After winning 23 games in his first two professional seasons, the Rockies held off on promoting Kalinowski to Double-A during the season. Kalinowski fell two victories shy of winning a pitching triple crown. With great location on his fastball and an exceptional curve, he has recorded 391 career strikeouts in two seasons. "He's a strikeout-type pitcher with a tremendous curve and the ability to locate his fastball on both sides of the plate," Wedge said.