Drafted in the 2nd round (44th overall) by the New York Mets in 2004 (signed for $800,000).
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An unsigned 10th-round pick in the 2001 draft, Durkin excelled in his first two years at San Jose State, winning 18 games with a 2.72 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of nearly three-to-one. With his track record, the 6-foot-5, 220-pounder looked like a first-round pick. Instead, he pitched erratically, going 8-5, 4.49 with 49 walks and 103 strikeouts in 110 innings, and should fall to the second round, and maybe even the third--though he finished with a flourish, shutting out Hawaii in his last start. Durkin is one of the few college pitchers who can live almost exclusively off his explosive fastball, when he keeps his pitches low in the strike zone. He threw fastballs 85-90 percent of the time and it peaked at 94-95 mph with natural cutting action. When Durkin got his pitches up he got hit hard, and his lack of a quality second pitch proved his undoing. He was also dogged by deep counts, control problems and a lack of offensive support. Durkin tried to throw a slider as a breaking ball, and that didn't work. He had some success with a spike curve, a pitch he used successfully as a freshman. Some scouts say his changeup will be successful against wood bats, especially against lefthanded hitters.
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As a client of Scott Boras, Durkin figured to be a tough sign in the 2004 draft. A second-round choice, he didn't sign for $800,000 until the end of the summer. He didn't make his pro debut until 2005 and it was clear that his layoff affected him. His mechanics got out of sync, which led to his stuff becoming just average and his command of it wavering more than usual. Worse yet, he came down with a sore shoulder and missed two months in the middle of the season. Durkin's fastball sat at 90-91 mph, down from 92-94 and a high of 96 in the past. His arm works fast and easy, though he occasionally drops his elbow and loses some extension. Durkin also didn't show the plus curveball that was his trademark when he was successful at San Jose State. He also throws a cutter and changeup. He never made it to high Class A as expected last year, but should at some point in 2006.
Durkin made a gaudy debut at San Jose State, going 11-3, 2.75 as a freshman, and had a solid sophomore season. He headed into last spring with lofty expectations but his ERA jumped to 4.49. He still became the second-highest draft pick in Spartans history (behind only Mark Langston) when the Mets took him in the second round and signed him for $800,000. Durkin's problems at San Jose State could be traced to his inconsistent command and over-reliance on his fastball. He showed little knack for changing speeds and tried to blow the ball past hitters. The Mets were encouraged that he started to regain the feel on his curveball late in the spring, as he won his last four decisions. Durkin didn't sign until late in the season, so the Mets won't get a good look at him in game action until 2005. They like his live arm, which delivers a 92-94 mph fastball that touches 96. He also has an effective cut fastball and changeup, and he's regaining the plus curveball he had as a freshman. With his loose delivery and sturdy frame, he should be durable. Durkin probably will make his pro debut in low Class A but could get a promotion before his first full season ends.
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