Top Prospect
Alert - Roy Oswalt
Roy Oswalt: One of my favorite pitching
prospects in the minors, this former 23rd round pick in 1996 was a
dominate force in the Texas League after being promoted from Single-A. He
didn't really receive much notice on prospect list before 2000, but he's
sure to be high on many lists in 2001.
Drafted out of high school,
Oswalt attended Holmes (MS) JC and then signed as a draft-and-follow
selection in 1997. Oswalt's biggest moment during the 2000 season came in
his first Double-A start as he fanned 15 hitters. His first impression
was only a sign of things to come. Oswalt ended up making 19 starts for
Round Rock, posting an 11-4 record with a 1.94 ERA in 130 innings, 106
hits allowed, 22 walks, and 141 strikeouts.
Standing at 6-foot and
170 pounds, he doesn't look like an intimidating figure on the mound. Yet
this 23-year-old righty uses a mid-90s fastball and very good curve as his
top two pitches, both of which he throws with excellent command. He has an
improving change-up has his third pitch. He had an up-and-down career
during his first couple of pro seasons, but now it seems that he has taken
that big step forward needed to be an impact player. With the Astros in
need of quality pitching, especially since they lost out on their attempt
to bring back Mike Hampton, any pitching prospect in the upper levels will
probably get a longer look in 2001. This should only increase
Oswalt's time table. If he gets off to a strong start at Triple-A, don't
be surprised to see him up by mid-summer.
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