Drafted in the 5th round (140th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2006 (signed for $202,500).
View Draft Report
Bresnehan's performance has not matched the potential forecast for him out of a Massachusetts high school. Bresnahan has a power body and a fastball that reaches 93 mph (particularly when he pitches in relief), but his stuff flattens out too often, and he has lost his feel for the strike zone as a junior.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
A high school standout in Massachusetts, Bresnehan turned down the Royals as a 23rd-rounder to attend Arizona State. He had an inconsistent three years with the Sun Devils, going 10-9, 5.01. The Pirates initially used Bresnehan as a starter during his 2006 pro debut, but he took off after he moved to the bullpen, finishing the summer with 34 consecutive scoreless innings. Working in relief allows Bresnehan to concentrate on throwing just two pitches: a low-90s fastball and a sharp-breaking slider. He closed games last season in high Class A, but his long-term future appears as a set-up man because of his stuff and because he's capable of working multiple innings thanks to his background as a starter. He needs to refine his control and command as he climbs the ladder. Bresnehan will return to Double-A after finishing 2007 there. He's moving quickly and could see Triple-A before the end of the year.
Bresnehan led the state with 109 strikeouts in 49 innings during his sophomore season of high school in 2001 in Dover, Mass. He went to school in Connecticut for a year, then he struck out 21 in a one-hitter during the first start of his senior year back in Massachusetts. Because of his commitment to Arizona State, however, he lasted until the 23rd round of the 2003 draft, and he didn't sign with the Royals. He had an up-and-down career with the Sun Devils, going 10-9, 5.01 in 193 innings over three seasons before Pittsburgh signed him for $202,500. He got on a roll in pro ball, finishing the summer with 34 straight scoreless innings. Bresnehan's fastball consistently hits 91 mph and tops out at 94, and it looks even faster because of its exceptional movement. He also has a hard slider to go along with a curveball and a changeup. He had control problems throughout his college career, but Williamsport pitching coach Bruce Tanner suggested some mechanical adjustments which seemed to help. Bresnehan has a maximum-effort delivery and tends to throw across his body, which raises long-term injury concerns. But he was a pleasant surprise in his first pro season, and will begin 2007 in low Class A. His arsenal suggests his future could be in the bullpen--and his stuff held up better in that role in college--but mastering the changeup would make him a viable starter.
Download our app
Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone