• Full name David Dinelli
  • Born 03/14/1987 in Rocklin, CA
  • Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Sierra College
  • Drafted in the 6th round (201st overall) by the Houston Astros in 2007 (signed for $123,000).
    View Draft Report
    While Dinelli served as Sierra Junior College's No. 1 starter this spring--leading the team deep into the state's juco playoffs--pro teams don't want him to be a member of their rotations. Some scouts see him as a potential closer because of his power repertoire and aggressive demeanor. A Texas Tech signee, Dinelli rivals Sac City's Leroy Hunt as the hardest thrower in California's junior colleges. He starts with a good pitcher's body, physical at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, and comes at hitters hard with a low-90s fastball that often sits at 92-93 mph. While he doesn't throw anything truly offspeed, he has two power breaking balls: a hard curveball that sits around 78 mph, and a true slider/cutter in the low 80s. Scouts can imagine Dinelli eating up a lot of wood bats with his repertoire, when he's not missing them--he struck out 118 in just 86 regular-season innings. Dinelli also averaged more than five walks per nine and will have harness his control to become a closer instead of just a set-up man.

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