Scott Tyler
| IP | 467 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.548 |
| WHIP | 1.516 |
| BB/9 | 5.897 |
| SO/9 | 9.385 |
- Full name Scott Richard Tyler
- Born 08/20/1982 in Philadelphia, PA
- Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 265 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Downington
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Drafted in the 2nd round (45th overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 2001 (signed for $875,000).
View Draft Report
At 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, Tyler is one of the most imposing pitchers in this year's draft. He has a tall, athletic body with a smooth, loose arm action. He challenges hitters with a fastball that sits at 91 mph and tops out at 93, and he projects to throw 94-96. He also has an excellent spike curve. He was slow getting out of the gates this year because of the weather that plagued eastern Pennsylvania, but he often pitched through it. Tyler has committed to Clemson.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Tyler has ridden a roller coaster as a pro. He led the Appalachian League in strikeouts in 2002, had difficulty finding the plate in 2003, then bounced back when he repeated the Midwest League. Physically imposing with a large, stiff body, he tends to struggle with his delivery and command. However, he got in a little better shape in 2004, showed some mental maturity and improved his approach. He pitched at 92-94 mph and topped out at 95. He shows a hard curve that he throws at 80 mph, as well as a decent changeup. A below-average athlete, he still hasn't proven he should be a starter for the long term. He must improve his durability and strength, and he has to reverse a tendency to fall apart in the middle innings. He runs up high pitch counts quickly, a trait which has slowed his development. Tyler figures to start this year in the high Class A rotation, but a move to the bullpen might not be far away. -
After ranking sixth on this list a year ago, Tyler struggled to make adjustments in low Class A. The Twins always have known he would be a long-term project, but he excited them by making encouraging strides and leading the Appalachian League in strikeouts in 2002. He's still capable of blowing hitters away with his mid-90s fastball. He just needs to learn how to locate it and keep it down in the zone. Physically imposing at 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, Tyler is a bit of a stiff-bodied pitcher, which makes it more difficult for him to drive the ball down. While his command might always be an issue, he's not all over the place throwing balls to the backstop. His problem is throwing fastballs at the chest instead of the knees. Tyler's slider is a solid-average offering and his changeup is a reliable third pitch. He worked behind in the count so often last year that he piled up high pitch counts and lasted through six innings just twice. Minnesota refers to 2003 as a speed bump for Tyler, and still projects him as a quality power pitcher as either a starter or reliever. He'll return to Quad City as the Opening Day starter. -
After signing for $875,000 in 2001, Tyler was so raw in instructional league that coaches had to stop innings before he recorded three outs. He learned to harness his power arsenal in extended spring training before leading the Rookie-level Appalachian League in strikeouts. His father Toby was an all-America basketball player at Cheyney (Pa.) University and was selected in the ABA draft. Physically imposing, Tyler mows batters down with a 95 mph fastball that has heavy, boring life and is delivered from a three-quarters arm slot. He shows the ability to spin a hard slider, though he needs to refine the pitch, and his changeup has become more reliable. At his size, Tyler has high-maintenance mechanics. He has worked to make his delivery compact but struggles to keep everything in sync, which affects his command. He has to tighten his slurvy breaking ball. Tyler has a powerhouse body and the overpowering stuff to develop into a frontline starter. He'll move to low Class A in 2003. The Twins like to move their starters one level at a time, but he could hasten that timetable by continuing to dominate. -
Tyler and Jeff Randazzo were high school rivals in Pennsylvania, and they're also two of the tallest pitchers in the system. But unlike the rangy lefthander, Tyler is all about power. Like many pitchers from the Northeast, Tyler didn't get an extended opportunity to showcase his stuff in high school because of the climate. He needs to compact his delivery, which requires a lot of effort and a high leg kick, but he's capable of generating plus-plus velocity. He touched 95 mph in high school, though he pitched at 90-91 in instructional league, where he struggled and didn't demonstrate a good feel for his arm action. His flashes plus potential with the spin on his hard slider and needs to learn a changeup. Tyler is considered a work in progress and could return to the Gulf Coast League this year.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Tyler drew comparisons to Andy Benes in his prime. He's a power pitcher who led the league in strikeouts, tied for second in victories and ranked sixth in ERA. Tyler attacks hitters with his 91-93 mph fastball that was clocked as high as 95. He also has a good curveball and a developing changeup. His legs look like tree trunks, which has led to his drop-and-drive delivery. While his game is based around power, Tyler impressed his manager with his desire to learn and improve. "He has a good game plan every time he takes the mound," Smith said. "Once he develops his secondary pitches, he is going to be very difficult to hit."
