IP 175
ERA 4.32
WHIP 1.497
BB/9 6.069
SO/9 9.617
  • Full name Mark A. McCormick
  • Born 10/15/1983 in Clear Lake, TX
  • Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Baylor
  • Drafted in the C-1 round (43rd overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2005 (signed for $800,000).
    View Draft Report
    McCormick showed a first-round arm in high school, when his fastball rarely dipped below 92 mph and reached as high as 98. But he slipped to the 11th round in 2002 because he was primarily a one-pitch pitcher and showed a lack of composure on and off the diamond. The reputation followed him throughout his first two years at Baylor, but he has made strides as a junior. McCormick has the most electric arm in Texas, still pitching at 92-95 mph and often touching 96-98. He peaked at 101 mph last summer in the Cape Cod League all-star game. McCormick got hit hard early this spring before he started keeping his fastball down in the strike zone. His curveball is much improved now that he trusts it and uses it more often, and while it can be inconsistent it also can be an out pitch. He has done a better job of throwing strikes and has made every start after missing one due to a suspension and six with shoulder stiffness in 2004. McCormick does not come without questions, however. Because his command can be sporadic, he doesn't always dominate. Scouts still worry about his makeup and his ability to handle pressure. His adviser, Scott Boras, is always an issue for teams, though he's considered one of the more signable players in Boras' stable. In spite of the concerns, McCormick should go off the board in the second half of the first round.

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  • Rated Best Fastball in the St. Louis Cardinals in 2007

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