Jason Stanford

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #16 prospect in 2004
  An overachiever signed as a nondrafted free agent, Stanford has been a consistent winner wherever he's pitched. He has gone 3-0, 0.75 for Team USA in international competitions after the 2001 and 2003 seasons, pitching 12 innings in the unsuccessful effort at the Olympic qualifying tournament in November, and would have been a prime candidate for the 2004 Olympics had the United States qualified. Stanford has a great feel for pitching and has met the challenge every time he has moved up a level. His fastball ranges between 87- 90 mph, but that's enough velocity for him because he has a good changeup that he'll throw in any count. He's working on tightening his slider to give it late action and keep righthanders honest. Stanford won't overpower hitters yet he believes in his stuff. He pitched effectively in a swing role for Cleveland in the second half of 2003, shutting out the Blue Jays for six innings to earn his first big league win. He'll go to spring training with a chance to win the No. 5 starter's job.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #24 prospect in 2002
  A nondrafted free agent in 1999, Stanford was the organization's minor league pitcher of the year in 2000. He kept opening eyes last year. He spent most of 2001 in Double-A, and spun a three-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts and no walks in his Triple-A debut. After the regular season, he posted a 1.42 ERA in the Arizona Fall League and went 2-0, 0.75 for Team USA at the World Cup. Stanford's stuff is solid across the board. He commands his fastball to both sides of the plate, throws his breaking ball for strikes and has an effective changeup. His makeup, mental toughness and pitchability are also assets. If he has a weakness it's that he lacks an out pitch, though his changeup has the potential to become one. He likely will open 2002 in the Triple-A rotation.