Steve Andrade

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #30 prospect in 2006
  When the Padres dealt Sean Burroughs to the Devil Rays for Dewon Brazelton in a swap of failed first-round picks at the Winter Meetings, they were more excited about getting Andrade as the player to be named. (In fact, they did not tender Brazelton a contract after the deal.) Tampa Bay selected Andrade from the Blue Jays system in the major league Rule 5 draft and sent him on to San Diego, meaning the Padres will have to keep him on the major league roster all season. If not, Andrade will have to clear waivers and get offered back to Toronto for half his $50,000 draft price before the Padres can send him to the minors. The Blue Jays got Andrade, who was originally drafted by the Angels, in a waiver claim in December 2004. He put up impressive numbers in Double-A as he has throughout his career, averaging 12.8 strikeouts per nine innings in four and a half seasons. Despite the gaudy strikeout totals, he's not a power reliever. His fastball is average at best, but his slider is a plus-plus offering with two-plane break that often makes hitters look foolish thanks to his awkward, deceptive delivery. He can mix in a curveball and changeup, but rarely needs them, and neither is a big league offering. At 28, Andrade is what he is, but he should be good enough for a big league bullpen job with the Padres.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #30 prospect in 2004
  Andrade was 23 and didn't have an overpowering fastball or a projectable body when Angels scout Todd Blyleven tabbed him as a 32nd-rounder in 2001. He's still not a favorite of scouts, who doubt he'll continue to trick more advanced hitters as he rises. But there's no denying that he has a gift for missing bats after he led Double-A Texas League relievers in opponent average (.147) and strikeouts per nine innings (13.1) in 2003. One organization has raised Andrade's OFP (overall future potential) grade nine points since he signed. Andrade throws 87-90 mph and touches 92, but deception achieved through a funky delivery and arm action with a head jerk is the key to his success. He has a deep arm swing in the back and catapults himself towards the plate, a la Robb Nen. Within the organization, Andrade also has been compared to Brendan Donnelly, another minor league reliever who didn't wow scouts. Andrade's command isn't a plus, but he's always around the strike zone. He offers two types of breaking balls, including a wicked biting slurve. He has earned a promotion to Triple-A and is a sleeper candidate to pitch in Anaheim this season.