Billy Sadler

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #29 prospect in 2009
  Sadler again handled Triple-A hitters in 2008, posting a 1.09 ERA for Fresno and allowing a .165 opponent average, yet he seemed no closer to solving the command problems that have prevented him from becoming an established big league reliever. He shuttled between Triple-A and San Francisco all season, walking 27 in 44 innings for the Giants. Sadler also gave up six homers and learned that 95-mph fastballs at the belt aren't a good idea when facing big league hitters. He has the equipment to be a late-inning force if he can throw strikes, because he backs up his fastball with a hard curveball that misses plenty of bats. Mound presence is a problem for Sadler, who loses his cool while experiencing the highs as well as the lows. He nearly started a bench-clearing brawl with the Dodgers when he celebrated a Manny Ramirez strikeout with a little too much gusto. Like Brian Wilson, Sadler pitched at Louisiana State and had Tommy John surgery while in college, though his elbow reconstruction came while he was at Pensacola (Fla.) JC. If he has a consistent spring, Sadler should break camp with the Giants.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #10 prospect in 2007
  The Giants dodged a bullet when they didn't lose Sadler in the major league Rule 5 draft after the 2005 season. They knew he had a big arm, but he had control problems and is quite a bit shorter than his listed height. Sadler earned a September callup and a roster spot in 2006 by saving 21 games with a 2.43 ERA in the minors. A teammate of Brian Wilson at Louisiana State, Sadler also had Tommy John surgery in college, though his came at Pensacola (Fla.) JC. Sadler throws a two-seam fastball that sits in the low 90s and can touch 96 mph. It has good, tailing action and locks up righthanders. His curveball also gives them fits, and his changeup has become more consistent during the last two seasons. Sadler still has issues with his control and command. He needs to do a better job of locating his fastball and of getting ahead in the count to set up hitters for his curveball. His mound presence was a concern early in his career but isn't any longer. He continued to dominate in the Arizona Fall League and appears destined for a role in the San Francisco bullpen. If Wilson doesn't claim the Giants' closer job in the future, it could fall to Sadler.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #20 prospect in 2005
  The Giants have gone to the Louisiana State well repeatedly in recent years, drafting such Tigers stalwarts as Jake Esteves, Todd Linden, Brian Wilson and Sadler. Sadler spent time as LSU's closer, but profiles as a set-up man because he lacks command of his power pitches. A smallish, aggressive competitor, he has a big arm. He pitches at 92-94 mph and touches 96 with his fastball, though the pitch can arrive on a flat plane because he's just six feet tall. Sadler's curveball can be a plus pitch at times and he has a resilient arm, leading the system with 60 appearances last year. Fiery and emotional, Sadler tends to get himself into trouble when he gets too amped up and loses his mechanics. He overthrows his fastball at times, leaving it up in the zone, and tends to lose his arm slot, causing him to get underneath his curve. Sadler has swing-and-miss stuff, though, and big league managers covet power set-up men. Sadler should team with closer Jeremy Accardo again in 2005, this time in Double-A.