- Full name Cam Esslinger
- Born
- Profile Throws: R
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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A starter in college and in his first year of pro ball, Esslinger has blossomed in two seasons as a reliever. He has been selected to play in his league's all-star game in two of his three pro seasons, including in the Double-A Southern League last year. He'll hit 96 mph with his fastball, but pitches best in the 91-93 range. Esslinger also has a hard slider that ranges from 82- 88 mph. Hitters don't get a good look at him because he uses a violent delivery and a high leg kick, plus he hides the ball well in his delivery. Esslinger has to gain more consistent command of his fastball. If he's going to evolve into a closer, he'll need to use a changeup to get lefthanders out. After a strong Arizona Fall League performance, he's ticketed for Triple-A in 2002. -
Esslinger was a starter in college and in his pro debut at Portland in 1999. Last year, however, he was converted into a reliever, and two months into the season emerged as a legitimate closer candidate. He led the system with 24 saves despite earning just three in the first two months of the season. Esslinger was more aggressive coming out of the bullpen, going after hitters and throwing strikes. He has a power fastball that's consistently in the mid-90s, plus a back-door slider. He struggled with offspeed stuff, which is why the the Rockies decided to work him in relief. Now it's a matter of just letting him pitch more and get acclimated to the closer's role.