Drafted in the 3rd round (77th overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2004 (signed for $460,000).
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Lewis had 16- and 20-strikeout games in consecutive Big 10 Conference starts a year ago on his way to a 9-1, 1.61 record, but then needed Tommy John surgery. The recovery time is usually a year to 12-to-18 months, but Lewis was back in April, 11 months later. He pitched well at first, though he lacked the snap on his trademark curveball and the velocity on his fastball was a tick short, at 87-89 mph. In his first three starts, the 6-foot, 185-pounder had a 4.05 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 13 innings. But he missed consecutive starts in conference play in early May because his arm was a little tender. Lewis pitches across his body, which puts added stress on his arm. As the draft approached, teams were taking a wait-and-see posture on Lewis. He could climb as high as the third round if he returns to action and it's clear his elbow is healthy, though Dr. James Andrews, who performed the operation, has indicated it is.
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The Indians have taken things slowly with Lewis, who had Tommy John surgery as an Ohio State sophomore and battled biceps tendinitis in his first two pro seasons. He didn't reach Double-A until his fourth year in pro ball and started 2008 in extended spring training recovering from a strained left lat muscle. He returned to Akron in June, then received a promotion to Triple-A in August after not allowing more than one earned run in seven consecutive starts. Lewis made his major league debut on Sept. 10, throwing eight shutout innings of three-hit ball against the Orioles. He blanked the Twins for six innings in his next outing and wound up winning all four of his big league starts. Lewis succeeds with his secondary pitches and his refusal to issue walks. His curveball is an above-average pitch that comes in anywhere from 72-78 mph, while his 75-78 mph changeup is a solid-average to plus offering. His fastball velocity is below average, sitting at 85-88 mph and touching 89. The deception in Lewis' delivery and his ability to mix his pitch sequences keeps hitters off balance. The Indians sent him to the Dominican Winter League to give him more innings and will let him challenge for a spot in the big league rotation during spring training.
After recovering from Tommy John surgery in college and biceps tendinitis that plagued him his first two seasons as a pro, Lewis maximized his 60-75 pitch counts in 2006 and led the minors in ERA. He took the next step last season, working nearly as many innings in 2007 as his first three years combined. A command/control deceptive lefthander, Lewis' fastball sits at 86-90 mph when he's at his best, and his changeup improved in depth and fade over the course of the season. He needs to command both pitches better with his modest velocity. His only plus pitch since college was always a 12-to-6 curveball, but Lewis lost confidence in the pitch last year after he lacked command of it early in the season. He's learning a slider to help deepen his repertoire. His delivery is simple and easy to repeat, but he still throws across his body at times. Lewis still projects as a No. 4 or No. 5 starter, and the Indians see last season as a major step in the right direction. But Lewis will need to prove he's durable based on his medical history. Added to the 40-man roster during the offseason, he'll start in the Triple-A rotation in 2008.
Lewis struck out 16 and 20 in consecutive starts as an Ohio State sophomore in 2003 and looked like a future first-round pick. But he needed Tommy John surgery late that spring and fell to the third round in 2004. More medical concerns popped up the following year, when he was shut down with biceps tendinitis. Kept on a 60-75 pitch limit throughout 2006, he led the minors in ERA. Lewis' delivery is effortless and extremely deceptive, which helps his 84-88 mph fastball jump on hitters. His curveball rates as the best in the system with true 12-to-6 movement. Lewis' changeup is solid-average, and all of his stuff plays up because of deception and ability to locate his pitches. It remains to be seen how Lewis' below-average velocity will work against more advanced hitters. While his delivery is relatively simple, he sometimes gets out of whack and needs to stay on a direct line to home plate. He throws somewhat across his body, and he has worked on staying more compact with his stride. Lewis bounced back well after all of his starts, and the Indians will increase his pitch limit to 100 in 2007. He'll start the year in Double-A and could move quickly if healthy.
Lewis' commitment to Ohio State scared teams off him in the 2001 draft, though the Angels took a flier on him in the 33rd round and made a run at him. As a Buckeyes sophomore, he struck out 16 and 20 in consecutive starts and looked like a sure first-rounder for 2004. He blew out his elbow late that spring, however, and needed Tommy John surgery. Lewis was back on the mound 11 months after the operation, and the Indians saw enough to take him in 2004's third round and sign him for $460,000. While he showed signs of regaining his pre-injury form in his pro debut--topping out at 92 mph and showing good secondary pitches--Lewis took a step back in 2005. Cleveland handled him carefully and kept him on tight pitch counts at Mahoning Valley, but he came down with tightness in his bicep after just three outings and missed six weeks. He totaled just 16 innings for the summer. Lewis has a clean, effortless delivery and has a very deceptive release point. He's added depth and power to his slurvy breaking ball, which has morphed from a plus curveball in college to a faster pitch with 11-to-5 break. He needs to work on his changeup, which is fringe-average at best. Lewis will pitch in low Class A this year as the Indians hope he can have a completely healthy season.
Lewis struck out 16 and 20 in consecutive outings for Ohio State in the spring of 2003 and looked liked a certain 2004 first-rounder. But he injured his elbow late in his sophomore season and had Tommy John surgery. Lewis made a rapid recovery and got back on the mound last April, just 11 months after having his elbow reconstructed. He pitched well at times, but lacked the usual velocity on his fastball and snap on his curveball. The Indians banked on Lewis regaining his previous form when they took him in the third round in June, and initial indications are that his $460,000 bonus may have been a bargain. His velocity climbed back toward its familiar 90-92 mph range during his brief stint at short-season Mahoning Valley. His curveball was a plus pitch again, and his changeup also looked strong. The Indians kept Lewis on a strict pitch count last summer and will continue to monitor him closely. But they believe he'll be fully equipped to open 2005 in low Class A.
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Because Lewis had Tommy John surgery during his sophomore season at Ohio State and biceps tendinitis in his first two pro seasons, the Indians took it easy with him. He worked on a pitch limit that maxed out at 70, and while that prevented him from winning more than three games, he captured the minor league ERA title at 1.48. His fastball velocity has dipped from 89-92 mph in college to 84-88 now, so Lewis relies on pinpoint command, working more vertically than painting corners in and out. His delivery is extremely deceptive, as he hides the ball throughout his windup before exploding toward home plate. Lewis' secondary pitches are another reason he succeeds. His curveball is harder than it was in college, with added depth and late bite. Kinston pitching coach Steve Lyons worked hard to improve Lewis' arm speed and grip with his changeup, which has become a plus pitch.
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Rated Best Curveball in the Cleveland Guardians in 2008
Rated Best Control in the Cleveland Guardians in 2007
Rated Best Curveball in the Cleveland Guardians in 2007
Rated Best Control in the Carolina League in 2006
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