Drafted in the 37th round (1,130th overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2005.
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Young and undersized on a Long Beach State staff that included Jered Weaver, Jason Vargas and Cesar Ramos--all first- and second-round talents--Maiques pitched sparingly as a freshman in 2004, with an 8.18 ERA in 12 appearances. After showcasing a 95 mph fastball in the Alaska League last summer, he planned to return to the Dirtbags but at the last minute elected to enroll at Rio Hondo Junior College. His timing couldn't have been better. He has been the most dominant junior college pitcher in the country, and now he's eligible to be drafted. He pitched seven-inning perfect games three weeks apart, fanning 17 and 14 in those games, and went a stretch of 49 innings without giving up an earned run. He led California juco pitchers with a 0.66 ERA and 133 strikeouts in 82 innings, while walking just 16. Maiques has two above-average pitches: a 91-94 mph fastball that touches 96 and a power slider. He also has been working on a curve, but hasn't used it much as he relies on his slider almost exclusively as his breaking pitch. The big knock on Maiques is his size. Though he's strong and in excellent shape, his frame probably will keep him out of the first two rounds.
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After showing a 95-mph fastball in the Alaska League in the summer of 2004, Maiques transferred from pitching-rich Long Beach State to Rio Hondo (Calif.) JC so he'd be eligible for the 2005 draft. The move looked like it would pay off when he threw two seven-inning perfect games and went 49 innings without allowing a run, but he blew out his elbow shortly before the draft. The Cardinals, who had planned to use a supplemental first-rounder on Maiques, took him instead in the 37th round and offered to cover his Tommy John surgery and wait. The investment began paying dividends last season, as the undersized righthander set a Quad Cities franchise record with 31 saves. His second half was particularly strong, as he allowed two earned runs while striking out in 29 innings. Maiques' fastball has returned to its previous 93-94 mph level, touching 96. Low Class A hitters couldn't touch his slider, which is deceptive and features wicked turn. Maiques is chiseled and he held up well in the closer's job, but some still question his durability. He'll also need sharper command at higher levels. But Maiques has the two pitches he needs to advance rapidly and could jump to the Double-A bullpen to open 2008.
Maiques started his college career at Long Beach State, but with pitchers like Jered Weaver, Jason Vargas and Cesar Ramos ahead of him, he made just 12 appearances as a freshman in 2004. He went to the Alaska League and showed a 95 mph fastball, then decided to enroll at Rio Hondo (Calif.) JC to get more innings and become eligible for the 2005 draft. It looked like a great decision as Maiques became the most dominant juco pitcher in the nation--pitching two seven-inning perfect games and going 49 innings without giving up an earned run--but then he blew out his elbow and had Tommy John surgery. The Cardinals had considered taking him with one of their extra picks in the supplemental first round before he was injured, but instead grabbed him in the 37th round and signed him for $80,000. When healthy, Maiques has two plus pitches: a 91-94 mph fastball and a power slider. He's strong and keeps himself in excellent condition, but his size is a concern, so the Cardinals will watch him carefully when he returns. They expect him to be ready to pitch in spring training, though he'll probably spend most of the year in extended spring training before getting his feet wet with a short-season club.
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