Jeremy Accardo

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #13 prospect in 2006
  Accardo has moved rapidly through the system, reaching the major leagues in 2005 as a pitcher just two years after he was Illinois State's shortstop and closer and pitching a perfect inning May 4 in his big league debut. The Giants signed him as a nondrafted free agent after seeing him throw 92-93 mph in the Alaska League in the summer of 2003. Accardo has settled in at 90-93 mph since signing while improving his slider. He threw a true cut fastball with more horizontal action when he signed, and he has added depth to the pitch as a pro. Accardo's fastball jumps on hitters because he has an easy delivery, and he's able to locate it both high and low in the strike zone, keeping them guessing. He showed a durable arm as a big leaguer, though the Giants were careful with him and used him on back-to-back nights just six times. He didn't allow a run in any of those 12 appearances. Accardo doesn't have a guaranteed spot in the San Francisco bullpen because he's still learning the subtleties of pitching, but his live arm, athleticism and continual improvement bode well for his future as a set-up man.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #19 prospect in 2005
  The Giants' knack for finding power arms in unlikely places led them to sign Accardo in the summer of 2003. Accardo had served as Illinois State's closer and earned a school-record 12 career saves, but he was better known as a shortstop and wasn't drafted. His velocity increased during a summer stint in the Alaska League, where San Francisco clocked his fastball at 92-93 mph. The Giants signed him before he returned to Illinois State for his senior year. Accardo settled into the 90-93 range in high Class A last year and touched 95. The Giants were impressed with how he held up under the workload of being a full-time closer, and he led the California League in saves despite a brief callup to Double-A. Accardo still can get better, as he worked off his fastball for most of 2004. He should get better at commanding it as he learns to keep his front shoulder closed and tries not to overthrow. His slider showed flashes and can be a plus pitch, but he didn't throw it for strikes consistently and was left without a strikeout pitch. He tinkered with a cutter and splitter. As he moves up, he'll need one of his secondary pitches to at least be average. His athletic ability, durability and potential fastball command project Accardo as a set-up man who could help the Giants soon.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #29 prospect in 2004
  After Jon Armitage, Accardo may have the most upside of the Giants' 2003 class of non-drafted college players. Accardo ranked eighth in the Alaska League in batting (.290-2-21) while playing shortstop and batting third for Athletics In Action. He also pitched in college and is Illinois State's career saves leader with 12. It was on the mound where he enticed the Giants. Pitching in Alaska's season-ending wood bat tournament in front of dozens of scouts, Accardo threw an easy 92-93 mph fastball and supplemented it with a plus slider. Suddenly in demand after going undrafted in June, Accardo signed with San Francisco after the National Baseball Congress World Series rather than return to Illinois State for his senior year. He touched some 95s during instructional league. He has to learn many of the nuances of pitching, and the Giants will give him innings to do so in the low Class A rotation this year. He profiles as a power bullpen arm down the line.