- Full name Jeff Heaverlo
- Born
- Profile Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Ryan Anderson didn't suffer the first torn labrum in Seattle's big league camp last spring. That distinction went to Heaverlo, who was on the verge of completing the first father-son tandem to pitch for the Mariners. His dad Dave, nicknamed "Kojak" for his shaved head, spent seven years in the majors. Jeff didn't have nearly the pure stuff that Anderson did, so he has to hope that shoulder surgery doesn't take too much away from him. His best pitch was a slider that was almost in the class of Clint Nageotte's, and it helped him lead the Texas League in strikeouts in 2001. Heaverlo's fastball was average in terms of both life and velocity, topping out at 92 mph. His command and savvy made him quite effective, and the one task that remained was improving his changeup to get lefthanders out. Heaverlo has progressed a little further on the comeback trail than Anderson and definitely will be ready to pitch again in spring training. -
Of all the players in Seattle's top 10, Heaverlo easily has the least imposing physical gifts. But the son of former big leaguer Dave Heaverlo exudes pitching savvy and is a winner. He led the Double-A Texas League in complete games, shutouts (a minor league-best four) and strikeouts in 2001. Heaverlo just knows how to get batters out. His best pitch is a slider that isn't quite in the same league as Clint Nageotte's. His changeup has improved dramatically since he has signed and will give him a second plus pitch. His fastball has life and average velocity, topping out at 92 mph. With his command and ability to mix his pitches and speeds, his fastball is good enough. Heaverlo's lone weakness last year was lefthanders, who hit .303 against him (compared to .202 by righties). His changeup is the key to doing better in that regard. He probably won't be more than a middle-of-the- rotation starter, though he could be a good one. Once he proves himself in Triple-A, Heaverlo will get a look in Seattle. He's probably first on the list if the Mariners need to pluck a starter out of the minors this season. -
The son of former Mariners reliever Dave Heaverlo, Jeff grew up in Moses Lake, Wash., and played his college ball in Seattle. In his first full pro season, he won his first three starts and struck out 24 hitters in 16 innings. It got tougher after that, but Heaverlo held his own in a hitter's league. He owns the best slider in the organization and one of the best in the minors. Having grown up around the game, he knows how to pitch and mixes his breaking ball with two-seam and four-seam fastballs. His maturity allowed the Mariners to jump him to Tacoma when they needed a fill-in starter late in the season. Heaverlo's changeup is still in the developmental stages. He doesn't throw exceptionally hard and projects as a middle-of-the-rotation starter because of his velocity. Despite his gaudy record, Heaverlo was hardly dominant in the Cal League. In another organization he might move more quickly, but the Mariners are deep and he should spend most of the 2001 season at Double-A San Antonio.
Minor League Top Prospects
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The highly competitive Heaverlo, who pitched in the TL playoffs with a black eye, led the league in strikeouts, complete games (four) and shutouts (four). While he doesn't have teammate Soriano's raw stuff, Heaverlo is armed with pitchability and a top-notch slider. "He's done everything the organization has asked him to do, and he's done it better and faster than we ever hoped," Mariners GM Pat Gillick said. "We like what we've seen and we expect to see a lot more of him in the future." The son of former big league reliever Dave Heaverlo, Jeff mixes pitches and speeds. He isn't a hard thrower, but his command and composure are assets, as is a deep arsenal of pitches that also includes two- and four-seam fastballs and a changeup. -
The son of former major league pitcher Dave Heaverlo anchored Lancaster’s pitching staff. Yet he also aggravated Seattle brass by throwing too many sliders. It’s his best pitch, but hitters quickly learned to look for it. The Mariners don't want the pitch to become so predictable and have stressed that Heaverlo use his fastball more often. He has enough velocity and movement to succeed. "He kind of went backward this season because he didn't trust the fastball," Parent said. "Pitching is more important than the first pitch, and we'd rather see guys use their defense on a first pitch than throwing too many pitches and leaving a slider. Now I think he has a good mix of pitches."
Scouting Reports
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Of all the players in Seattle's top 10, Heaverlo easily has the least imposing physical gifts. But the son of former big leaguer Dave Heaverlo exudes pitching savvy and is a winner. He led the Double-A Texas League in complete games, shutouts (a minor league-best four) and strikeouts in 2001. Heaverlo just knows how to get batters out. His best pitch is a slider that isn't quite in the same league as Clint Nageotte's. His changeup has improved dramatically since he has signed and will give him a second plus pitch. His fastball has life and average velocity, topping out at 92 mph. With his command and ability to mix his pitches and speeds, his fastball is good enough. Heaverlo's lone weakness last year was lefthanders, who hit .303 against him (compared to .202 by righties). His changeup is the key to doing better in that regard. He probably won't be more than a middle-of-the- rotation starter, though he could be a good one. Once he proves himself in Triple-A, Heaverlo will get a look in Seattle. He's probably first on the list if the Mariners need to pluck a starter out of the minors this season. -
The son of former major league pitcher Dave Heaverlo anchored Lancaster’s pitching staff. Yet he also aggravated Seattle brass by throwing too many sliders. It’s his best pitch, but hitters quickly learned to look for it. The Mariners don't want the pitch to become so predictable and have stressed that Heaverlo use his fastball more often. He has enough velocity and movement to succeed. "He kind of went backward this season because he didn't trust the fastball," Parent said. "Pitching is more important than the first pitch, and we'd rather see guys use their defense on a first pitch than throwing too many pitches and leaving a slider. Now I think he has a good mix of pitches."