Cory Doyne

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #27 prospect in 2006
  Doyne always has had a premium arm, but it took him awhile to grow up and find his niche. He went to four high schools in four years and had off-field issues that pushed him to the eighth round of the 2000 draft despite a fastball that touched 95 mph. The Astros released him after three unimpressive seasons, and the Padres had him for about a year before cutting him loose in June 2004. The Cardinals signed him, and by the end of the 2005 season he was their Double-A closer after never getting above low Class A in five previous seasons. The proverbial light seemed to go on for Doyne, who realized he was squandering his ability, got in shape and harnessed his explosive fastball. He still touches 95 mph and complements his heater with a hard slider. He has the fearless makeup of a closer and is effectively wild. He has toned down his delivery but still has effort in it, though that's not as much of a concern out of the bullpen. Doyne's newfound maturity put him on the fast track, and if he builds on it this season he could pitch in the big leagues after opening in Triple-A.
• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #26 prospect in 2001
  Doyne's makeup was questioned after he attended four high schools in four years, surfacing last spring at Land O'Lakes (Fla.) High, where he was the ace of an all-prospect rotation that also included lefthander Derek Thompson (second round, Indians) and righthander Kurt Shafer (eighth round, Pirates). Doyne was academically ineligible at Tampa's Catholic High as a junior, in part because of a learning disability. The Astros say his reputation is unfounded, and that he's a good kid with a solid makeup. No one doubts his fastball, which consistently reaches 94-95 mph and maxes out at 98 mph. At least one manager thought Doyne had the best raw arm in the Appalachian League. But at this point, velocity is all he has going for him. He pitches up in the strike zone and rarely throws strikes. His maximum-effort, over-the-top delivery causes scouts to cringe because he looks like an injury waiting to happen. His curveball should be at least average in time, but he's just learning to throw a changeup. Doyne has plenty of potential but needs plenty of polish.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked American League #13 prospect in 2000
  With his glasses and sideburns, Doyne looks more like a musician than a baseball player—until he takes the hill. Most rock stars don't throw in the mid-90s. Doyne, who was drafted two picks after Bowen, also has the makings of a good curveball and changeup, though he has trouble commanding the changeup at this point. He wasn't exactly Nuke LaLoosh, though one manager did refer to him as effectively wild. He struggled early in the season but finished strong as his mechanics improved. "He has a special arm," Bristol pitching coach Sean Snedeker said. "He had the best arm in the league."

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  With his glasses and sideburns, Doyne looks more like a musician than a baseball player—until he takes the hill. Most rock stars don't throw in the mid-90s. Doyne, who was drafted two picks after Bowen, also has the makings of a good curveball and changeup, though he has trouble commanding the changeup at this point. He wasn't exactly Nuke LaLoosh, though one manager did refer to him as effectively wild. He struggled early in the season but finished strong as his mechanics improved. "He has a special arm," Bristol pitching coach Sean Snedeker said. "He had the best arm in the league."