Drafted in the 28th round (840th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2006.
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Dials has been up to 90-92, and has done so in front of at least a handful of upper-level scouting supervisors. He has trouble repeating his delivery. When he's online and gets extended toward his target, his fastball has some sink and armside run. He has below-average control.
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From 28th-round afterthought and fledgling minor league starter to power reliever, Dials came as far as any Toronto farmhand in 2007. Because he had trouble staying healthy as a starter, the Blue Jays moved him to the bullpen, where his fastball and slider played up a grade. Where previously his fastball had been 87-90 mph, it sat at 92-95 with incredible sink when he came out of the bullpen. His slider went from 80-83 to 83-86 with late tilt, and he was throwing it for first-pitch strikes. Even as an amateur, Dials struggled to repeat his delivery and stay online to the plate, but his entire mindset changed as a reliever, as he realized he could just air it out. He still has a changeup that he learned as a starter, but it's below average. Dials has yet to pitch above low Class A, but he could move quickly if he keeps improving in 2008.
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