Duke Welker
| IP | 1 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 0 |
| WHIP | 0 |
| BB/9 | 0 |
| SO/9 | 9 |
- Full name Matthew Scott Welker
- Born 02/10/1986 in Kirkland, WA
- Profile Ht.: 6'7" / Wt.: 240 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School Arkansas
- Debut 06/23/2013
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Drafted in the 2nd round (68th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2007 (signed for $477,000).
View Draft Report
Welker has the most projection remaining in an all-prospect rotation at Arkansas that also includes Nick Schmidt and Jess Todd. His 6-foot-7, 221-pound frame allows him to throw downhill, making his 91-92 mph fastball that much more difficult to hit. He does a good job of pitching off his fastball and backing it up with an improved curveball and a changeup. He has a smooth delivery for a big pitcher and repeats it well. Maintaining his confidence is key, as he otherwise tends to nibble at the strike zone and lose effectiveness. Rated the No. 2 prospect in the Alaska League last summer behind projected first-rounder Casey Weathers of Vanderbilt, Welker joined the Razorbacks after two seasons at Seminole State (Okla.) Junior College. He pitched just 20 innings in 2004-05, missing most of his high school senior year with a strained back and having arthroscopic shoulder surgery to repair a frayed labrum as a freshman at Seminole State.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Welker may be setting a record by returning to the Prospect Handbook following a five-year absence. He was No. 9 on this list following the 2007 season, when he made his pro debut as a second-round pick. He then dropped off the prospect radar because of a combination of poor performance and minor injuries. Becoming a full-time reliever in 2010 turned his career around, as his heavy fastball rose to a steady 94-96 mph and a peak of 98. His second pitch is an 83-85 mph slider that breaks a bit early but has nice bite. He has control problems at times but generally is hard to hit. If Welker can get more consistent with his slider and his strike-throwing ability, he could become a set-up man for the Pirates. He'll open this season in Triple-A and could finally get to the majors sometime after the all-star break. -
Welker missed most of his senior high school season in Washington with back problems, then had his freshman season at Seminole State (Okla.) Junior College shortened by arthroscopic shoulder surgery. He blossomed after transferring to Arkansas in 2007, then signed with the Pirates for $477,000. Pittsburgh shut him down in mid-August with elbow soreness. Welker has a projectable pitcher's body with a long, loose frame. His fastball sits at 91-92 mph and he uses his height to get a good downward plane. He can dial the heater up to 95 mph on occasion, giving hope he could add velocity. He made progress with his secondary pitches during the spring. He has a reputation for being soft, but the Pirates say Welker has a bad rap and that his mound presence is fine. His curveball and changeup still need work. His curve tends to get loopy and his changeup sometimes lacks deception. He has been healthy for just one of the last four years, though Pittsburgh isn't worried about his elbow. Welker will begin the season in low Class A with a chance for a midseason promotion. He projects as a possible No. 3 starter with a major league ETA of 2010.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Welker had an up-and-down spring as a weekend starter for Arkansas after transferring from Seminole State (Okla.) JC, but the Pirates drafted him in the second round based on his arm strength and projectable 6-foot-7 frame. He had a strong pro debut before the Pirates shut him down because of elbow soreness. Welker pitches at 92-93 mph and touches 95-96 with his lively fastball, and he might throw even harder as he matures. He pitches off his fastball, working it in and out, and mixes in a slurvy breaking ball that has potential but needs some tightening. His changeup is usable but also needs some refinement. Welker has a strong, durable frame and pitches on a good downward plane. He could be a starter in the big leagues if he can polish his secondary offerings. "One thing that sticks out the most to me is his competitiveness and his presence," State College manager Turner Ward said. "To me, he's definitely a big leaguer. He's got the stamina, the body, just the package of a starting pitcher."
