- Full name Keith Surkont
- Born
- Profile Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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After dazzling the organization in his first full pro season in 2001, Surkont hit a rough spot last year. A sore shoulder robbed him of his velocity, and he lost the sink and explosion on his fastball. The A's hope an offseason of rest will allow him to recover. The grandson of former big league pitcher Max Surkont, he has an excellent changeup and a fine breaking ball, though he needs to develop more consistency. As with most New Englanders, he hasn't had the mound time that players from warmer-weather areas have. He'll need more time to develop and build endurance. He didn't seriously consider a baseball career out of high school, choosing to attend academically oriented Williams (Mass.), an NCAA Division III school that's the alma mater of George Steinbrenner and Fay Vincent. Surkont even spent his junior year in Denmark rather than concentrating on baseball. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while abroad, and came back throwing harder after the surgery. -
A product of Division III Williams (the alma mater of George Steinbrenner and Fay Vincent), Surkont has steadily improved since being drafted. He throws a heavy, low-90s fastball with good sink. He also mixes in a fine breaking ball and an excellent changeup, and his overall command is solid. As with many New England players, he hasn't had the on-field time to match players from other regions and still requires far more experience. He has shown the ability to learn quickly. Surkont needs to develop consistency with the breaking ball and the ability to throw it for strikes when needed. He can at times be dominant, as his 2.72 ERA in the tough Cal League indicates. The A's view him as a potential big league starter. Max Surkont, his grandfather, pitched for five major league teams between 1949 and 1957.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Surkont, whose grandfather Max pitched in the big leagues from 1949-57, had the Cal League’s best curveball and kept his ERA under 3.00 all season, a rare feat in a perennial hitter’s league. Managers loved his composure, as Surkont never showed emotion or got rattled. He also never gave into batters. "What makes him special is that he's at his most intense when he's in a hole," Visalia manager Juan Navarrete said. "You don't see him sink into a hole out there. He comes back with good command, his good changeup and his out pitch is the curve. He can get to a point where he can control all three pitches well."
Scouting Reports
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Surkont, whose grandfather Max pitched in the big leagues from 1949-57, had the Cal League’s best curveball and kept his ERA under 3.00 all season, a rare feat in a perennial hitter’s league. Managers loved his composure, as Surkont never showed emotion or got rattled. He also never gave into batters. "What makes him special is that he's at his most intense when he's in a hole," Visalia manager Juan Navarrete said. "You don't see him sink into a hole out there. He comes back with good command, his good changeup and his out pitch is the curve. He can get to a point where he can control all three pitches well."