Mike Belfiore
| IP | 1 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 18 |
| WHIP | 4 |
| BB/9 | 9 |
| SO/9 | 0 |
- Full name Michael John Belfiore
- Born 10/03/1988 in Huntington, NY
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: L
- School Boston College
- Debut 09/27/2013
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Drafted in the C-A round (45th overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2009 (signed for $725,000).
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Scouts were mildly intrigued by Belfiore's big frame and loose arm coming out of Commack (N.Y.) High three years ago, when he worked in the 85-87 mph range with his fastball. He has started at first base for three years at Boston College and has thrived as the Eagles' closer the last two. Belfiore now works in the 90-93 mph range and tops out at 94 with a lively fastball. He shows a solid-average to plus slider in the 83-85 range at times, but he tends to push the pitch at other times. At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Belfiore is physical enough to start, and he maintained his stuff for five innings in front of a number of scouting heavyweights in late April against Duke. He also has a starter's repertoire, with an average low-80s changeup that dives at the plate at times. He also shows a promising curveball in warmups, though he rarely uses it in games. Belfiore's mechanics need smoothing, and his offspeed command could use polish, but he could take off once he concentrates on pitching full-time.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Acquired as the player to be named in a trade that sent Josh Bell to the Diamondbacks, Belfiore joined the Orioles in May and immediately jumped to Double-A, where he turned in the best performance of his pro career. Arizona took him with the 45th overall pick in 2009, after the Boston College two-way star pitched 9 2/3 innings of scoreless relief in an epic 25-inning NCAA regional game against Texas. The Diamondbacks signed him for $725,000 with the intention of developing him as a starter, but he never was effective or comfortable in that role. Belfiore has solid stuff across the board, and it plays up because he's deceptive and competitive. He dials up his fastball to 89-92 mph with running life, backing it up with a sweeping slider and changeup. His command comes and goes because he has a slight stab in the back of his arm action. Belfiore throws from a high three-quarters slot and gets in trouble when he doesn't keep the ball down. He's especially tough on lefthanders, who hit .160/.218/.200 in 50 at-bats against him in Double-A. At the very least, he should be a serviceable left-on-left specialist. If his command improves, Belfiore could help in Baltimore sooner rather than later. He figures to spend 2013 in Triple-A after getting added to the 40-man roster in November. -
Belfiore was a closer during his college career, but the Diamondbacks moved him into the rotation after signing him for $725,000 as a sandwich pick in 2009. He had proven himself suited for the role with 92⁄3 innings of scoreless relief in Boston College's epic NCAA regional game against Texas, which it finally lost 3-2 in 25 innings. He made a strong first impression by dominating Rookie-level hitters after signing, but he wasn't as effective in low Class A in 2010. Belfiore is still learning how to be a starting pitcher, and showed some positive signs in the second half of the season when his velocity increased a few ticks to 92-93 mph. He throws a slider and a changeup in the low 80s. His major league-average changeup is regarded as his best pitch and could get better since he really didn't start using it until he joined the pro ranks. He throws with an easy arm action, and his average command could grade as plus in the future, but he doesn't have swing-and-miss stuff. Belfiore has a No. 4 starter's upside, but he does look like he'll have the stuff and stamina to remain in the rotation. One scout sees him as a late bloomer who will come on later in his career, similar to former big leaguer Jeff Fassero. -
Belfiore was Boston College's first baseman and closer, at least until the team's 25- inning, 3-2 loss to Texas in last year's NCAA regionals. He pitched 92⁄3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing three hits while striking out 11--and cementing himself as a potential starter. He had a successful pro debut in that role after signing for $725,000. Belfiore's best pitch is a heavy fastball that sits at 89-92 mph and tops out at 94. Opponents have a hard time lifting it, as shown by his 1.9 groundout/airout ratio and two homers allowed in 58 innings in the hitter-friendly Pioneer League. His 78-82 mph slider can be a plus pitch at times, and he started using his curveball more in instructional league. He has been mixing in more changeups after not throwing the pitch as a college reliever. He has a simple, repeatable delivery. Belfiore wore down at the end of the summer, but that should be less of an issue now that he's a full-time pitcher and will start to work deeper into games. He has a slight stab in the back of his arm swing, which costs him command. He needs to work on locating his pitches to both sides of the plate, and refine his curveball and changeup. If he can develop his secondary pitches, Belfiore can become a No. 3 starter in the big leagues. After exceeding Arizona's expectations in his pro debut, he'll jump to high Class A.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Belfiore served as first baseman and closer for Boston College, but because he's a 6-foot-3 lefty with low- to mid-90s heat and a fresh arm, it was easy for clubs to envision him as a starter in pro ball. The Diamondbacks selected him 45th overall and plugged him into the Missoula rotation. Early in the summer, his fastball topped out at 93-94 mph with heavy sink, but he appeared gassed by the time the playoffs rolled around, sitting at 88-90. That's understandable given that he threw 48 innings this spring--and then another 68 as a pro, counting two postseason starts. Regardless, he allowed just two regular-season homers despite pitching in Missoula's cozy Ogren Park. Belfiore struggled to command his secondary stuff, and some thought a stab in the back of his arm swing may have been the culprit. His diving changeup is a plus pitch at times, but he didn't throw it much. His 82-85 mph slider also has its moments and lacks consistency.
