- Full name Justin Echols
- Born
- Profile Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The Rangers don't have many power arms capable of blowing up radar guns, but they're rich in pitchers with a feel for their craft, and Echols fits that mold. He repeated high Class A to begin 2003, taking part in Stockton's eight-man tandem starter program. After a slow start in April, he heated up to earn a promotion to Double-A. Echols continued to miss bats at the next level, though his control eluded him when he walked 14 in back-to-back starts. He needs to improve the command of his fringe-average 87-90 mph fastball to set hitters up for his secondary pitches. He has the ability to put them away with a tight 76-80 mph curveball, and his decent splitter as an effective alternative to a changeup. Echols is a good athlete who repeats his delivery well, but he's not projectable and will have to live with his present velocity. He profiles as a back-end starter or middle reliever and could compete for a Triple-A job this year.