Errol Simonitsch
| IP | 514 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.94 |
| WHIP | 1.383 |
| BB/9 | 2.434 |
| SO/9 | 6.899 |
- Full name Errol Thomas Simonitsch
- Born 08/24/1982 in Glendale, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Gonzaga
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Drafted in the 6th round (178th overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 2003 (signed for $140,000).
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Six-foot-4, 200-pound LHP Errol Simonitsch has a pro body and loose arm action. He attracted early-round interest at the start of the year when his fastball touched 91, but he was sidelined in early April with shoulder tendinitis and didn't pitch again.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Bothered by shoulder tendinitis in the spring of 2003, Simonitsch made just eight starts in his junior year at Gonzaga. Twins scouting director Mike Radcliff wasn't able to see him in person, but area scout Bill Lohr and scouting supervisor Deron Johnson saw enough of Simonitsch to recommend him. Cleared to pitch upon signing, Simonitsch promptly helped Elizabethton win the Appalachian League title. In his first full pro season, he pitched at 86-88 mph but didn't touch 90 mph as often as he did in his debut. He got good results and used his changeup more often and more effectively. He also has a plus curveball. A classic finesse lefty, he has a clean delivery, loose arm, solid frame and good mound presence. He has a lower ceiling than many other Minnesota pitching prospects but is a safer bet to reach the majors. He reminds some of former Twins pitcher Mark Redman, another soft-tossing lefty with a college background. -
Simonitsch was sidelined with shoulder tendinitis last spring, which limited him to just eight starts at Gonzaga and prevented Twins scouting director Mike Radcliff from seeing Simonitsch in person. Area scout Bill Lohr and scouting supervisor Deron Johnson had seen all they needed, however, and convinced Radcliff to grab him in the sixth round, about three rounds lower than where he would have gone sans tendinitis. Simonitsch was cleared to pitch upon signing and helped led Elizabethton to the Rookie-level Appalachian League championship. He works effectively down in the zone with an 88-90 mph fastball and a plus curveball. His changeup really came on over the course of the season. Simonitsch works with a good delivery and loose arm action. He is polished and still projectable, conjuring comparisons to Mark Redman, another big, strong-bodied southpaw originally signed by Minnesota. Armed with three quality offerings and command, Simonitsch has the stuff to move quickly. He'll skip a level and pitch in high Class A this year.
