• Full name Samuel Edward Runion
  • Born 11/09/1988 in Asheville, NC
  • Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School A.C. Reynolds
  • Drafted in the 2nd round (66th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2007 (signed for $504,000).
    View Draft Report
    North Carolina's crop of talent is better than it has been in years, and Runion is among the top high school players among a deep second-tier class of prospects. He played alongside crosstown rival Justin Jackson for the Midland (Ohio) Redskins travel team and was one of three Aflac All-Americans from the state, joining Jackson and lefty Madison Bumgarner. It was against Bumgarner that Runion made his best impression as a senior, as he matched up with him in a conference game in Asheville that drew a bevy of national crosscheckers and a handful of scouting directors. Sam's father Larry was a lefthanded pitcher at Union (Tenn.) University. Sam played tight end on Reynolds' football team as a freshman and sophomore, and it's his big, broad-shouldered frame that attracts scouts. Runion offers a good feel for pitching as well as a hard, heavy fastball that sits near 90 mph with good sinking action. He throws from a three-quarters arm slot and tends to drop down, leading to hanging sliders. When he stays on top of his slider, it has hard, late break. He shows feel for a changeup, but profiles best as a durable long reliever or set-up man in the mold of Dan Wheeler.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Minor League Top Prospects

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