Henry Sosa Stats & Scouting Report

IP	73.1
ERA	6.63
WHIP	1.85
BB/9	4.17
SO/9	7.85

Full name Henry Sosa
Born 07/28/1985 in El Seybo, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Liceo Sergio Augusto Beras
Debut 08/10/2011

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

After a few injury-marred seasons that included knee surgery and a strained muscle in his upper back, Sosa came out blazing in spring training, throwing consistently in the mid-90s while keeping a spotless 0.00 ERA in 10 appearances covering 12 innings. It looked like he'd be the first reliever called upon when the Giants needed a fresh arm in April or May. But Sosa's season in Triple-A didn't go as planned and San Francisco still seemed confused about whether he fits best as a starter or reliever. Sosa hit a low point in late May, when he was suspended two games for fighting a teammate. He took a step back with command and got punished by Triple-A hitters when he elevated the ball. He had trouble establishing his secondary pitches because he tends to push his changeup and his breaking balls (he throws both a curve and a slider) are fringy. San Francisco hoped Sosa would have matured into a better competitor by now, as he's starting to get a bit old to maintain his prospect status. He remains one of the more electric arms in the system, though, warranting a continuing look.
Sosa represented the Giants at the Futures Games in 2007, but he hasn't been as dominant or healthy since. He had arthroscopic knee surgery that October, which cost him most of the first two months in 2008. He also missed time with a pectoral strain in 2008, and a strained muscle in his upper back ended his 2009 season after 14 starts. After averaging a strikeout per inning before last year, he didn't miss as many bats in Double-A. He did compete well, going 6-0, 2.36. When Sosa is healthy, he has a mid-90s fastball that should play in the big leagues. He still needs something to complement his heat, as his curveball is just a get-me-over pitch and he tends to push his changeup. The only way to develop those pitches is to stay on the mound. Sosa has a high-energy personality and has been known to do a few hundred pushups after a start. He might not be durable enough to make 30 starts, but the Giants don't have much upper-level rotation depth, so they don't figure to try him as a reliever yet. He should advance to Triple-A in 2010.
Sosa took everyone by surprise in 2007 when he established a dominant fastball and represented the Giants at the Futures Game. But he had arthroscopic knee surgery that October and didn't make it out of extended spring until late May last year, then posted mediocre results in 12 high Class A starts. Club officials were disappointed that he never regained his previous form, even when given extra time. He also had a pectoral strain that kept him out for a few weeks. When healthy and repeating his over-the-top delivery, Sosa has a mid-90s fastball. The rest of his game is raw, as he has only a rudimentary grasp of a curveball and changeup, which must continue to develop if he wants to remain a starting pitcher. He did make some strides with his control last year, but his confidence took a jolt and his aggressiveness suffered as a result. Sosa will have to reset himself next season, likely opening back at San Jose. He has all the physical tools to get back on track.
Signed for just $15,000, Sosa was scheduled to remain in extended spring and pitch in the Arizona League in 2007. But Orlando Yntema tore a knee ligament in the final week of spring training and Sosa replaced him at Augusta. He made the most of his chance, winning more games (six) than he allowed earned runs (five) before earning a trip to the Futures Game and a promotion to high Class A. Sosa pitches consistently in the mid-90s and tops out at 97 mph with his fastball. His hard curveball is a strikeout pitch. He repeats his delivery well while throwing from a high three-quarters slot. He's among the more durable high-profile arms in the system. He's still more thrower than pitcher, and Sosa at times has trouble finding the strike zone and keeping his fastball down. He's trying to learn a changeup, and it remains a distant third pitch. If Sosa can harness his stuff, his upside is huge, and his changeup is the key for him to remain a starter. He probably will get more experience in high Class A at the start of 2008.

Minor League Top Prospects

Mention Sosa's name to a SAL manager, and the response often was the same two words: "Great arm." That's understandable, considering he had more wins (six) than earned runs allowed (five) in two months before moving up to high Class A. Sosa's fastball sits at 94-95 mph and reaches as high as 98, and he also has a hard curveball and an in-progress changeup. Though he still needs to cut down on his walks, he has improved the command of his fastball and curve as he stopped overthrowing as much as he did in the past. Sosa was 21 and in his fourth pro season when he tore through the league, but his age isn't a huge concern because his stuff is so potent. "Once he learns how to pitch in certain situations, he's going to be very tough to hit," Kelly said. "He gets it up there to 95, 96 and then comes back with that hook. Sometimes he tries to throw the ball 100 miles an hour and can wear himself out."
Sosa's 4.38 ERA with San Jose was six times his mark (0.73) in the low Class A South Atlantic League, but he still displayed the most powerful arm in the Cal League. His fastball sat at 91-95 mph, and his loose delivery made his heater seem even more explosive. When he's going well, he has a tight curveball that he's not afraid to throw when behind in the count. Despite his success, Sosa remains very much a work in progress. He struggled to repeat his delivery, and as the season wore on he relied heavily on his fastball, with mixed results. He needs to develop more consistency with his breaking ball, which devolved into a slurve by season's end. "Henry has the talent but he doesn't have the pitching skill yet," San Jose manager Lenn Sakata said. "He's a guy that has been pushed to the limit right now. He's explosive at times, but he went from dominating a young league where guys swing at everything to struggling at times."