Wesley Wright

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Houston Astros #21 prospect in 2008
  The best lefthanded pitching prospect in the system didn't become an Astro until the Winter Meetings. Houston selected Wright from the Dodgers in the major league Rule 5 draft. Now he'll have to stick on the 25-man roster all season, or else be put through waivers and be offered back to Los Angeles for half his $50,000 draft price. Wright has steadily pitched his way to prospect status, though he was left off the Dodgers' 40-man roster and they feared losing him in the Rule 5. He got hammered in his first taste of Triple-A last year but finished with 16 straight scoreless innings in Double-A after a demotion. Wright pitches off his deft command of an 88-91 mph fastball that has late, riding life. His solid-average spikecurveball is his best secondary pitch, and he'll mix in a below-average slider and changeup as well. Wright offers good feel for pitching and consistency, two things major league managers covet. As a middle reliever or situational man, his ceiling is modest, but he could be a useful part of a bullpen.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #30 prospect in 2007
  Despite Wright's smallish frame and modest fastball velocity, former Dodgers area scout Clarence Johns (now with the Rockies) liked his aggressive attitude and feel for pitching and persuaded scouting director Logan White to take him in the seventh round in 2003. Wright passed up a scholarship from South Alabama and signed for $120,000. He had four stretches of at least 17 consecutive scoreless innings in 2006 between high A and Double-A. With a fastball described as "sneaky-fast"by minor league pitching coordinator Marty Reed, Wright has racked up impressive strikeout totals since signing, most of which come off his 88-91 mph heater that has late life. He has a slight wrist wrap in the back of his arm motion that doesn't hinder his control and gives his delivery some deception. Wright and Vero Beach pitching coach Glenn Dishman tweaked the grip on his spike curveball during his stint in Hawaii Winter Baseball, and the pitch has above-average break, with tight, 12-to-6 rotation. It's more consistent than his slider, which is little more than a chase pitch. He has rudimentary feel for his changeup. He can pitch to both sides of the plate and has average command. Wright climbed to Double-A as a 21-year-old late in 2006, and should spend most of 2007 there.