Jeff Lyman Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Jeffrey Turner Lyman
Born 01/14/1987 in San Francisco, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Monte Vista
Drafted in the 2nd round (77th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2005 (signed for $460,000).

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A physical righthander with a bulldog approach, Lyman can pump mid-90s fastballs and maintain his velocity deep into games. He has a quick arm and gets good run on his ball when he throws his two-seam fastball, but he tends to favor his four-seamer --a faster but straighter pitch. He also has two other quality pitches, a sharp 76-78 mph curve that scouts often confuse for a slurve, and a split-finger pitch that he uses as a changeup. Northern California area scouts who have seen both he and Sacramento righthander Vance Worley generally say Worley has a higher upside and should be drafted a few picks earlier than Lyman. Lyman's delivery is not as smooth as Worley's because his high school pitching coach taught him some built-in funkiness to create deception. And where Worley is more of a pitcher and projects as a starter in pro ball, Lyman is a power arm and a potential closer. Lyman would prefer to sign rather than attend Arizona State, particularly if he's drafted in the first two or three rounds, as expected.

Top Rankings

Like fellow 2005 draftee Beau Jones, Lyman had a strong Gulf Coast League debut before running into command difficulties in low Class A last year. He got off to a nice start prior to missing a month with back spasms. He was inconsistent upon his return in late June. Lyman throws strikes with his 92-95 mph fastball, and he can run his two-seamer in on hitters, making it difficult for them to center the ball. His secondary offerings are works in progress. He has a sharp curveball that can be effective, as well as a splitter that functions as a changeup. Lyman's mechanics aren't always fluid, which has led to difficulties with his command and control. The Braves love his intensity and believe his work ethic will allow him to iron out the rough spots in his game. He'll team up with Jones again this year in high Class A.
The Braves drafted Lyman in the second round last June and signed him away from Arizona State with a $460,000 bonus. His bulldog mentality eased his transition into pro ball. His main pitches are a fastball that sits at 93-94 mph and a sharp curveball. His two-seam fastball features nice run, and he uses a splitter as a changeup. He has good control but will have to do a better job of locating his pitches at higher level. Some scouts worry about his delivery. Though he throws strikes and creates deception, his mechanics are inconsistent. Having ironed out a few flaws during instructional league, Lyman should be part of Rome's rotation this year.

Big and strong with a bulldog approach to pitching like former Brave Kevin Millwood's, Lyman generates consistent 93-94 mph heat. He locates his pitches well and gets good run on his two-seam fastball. Lyman needs work on his delivery, though his funky mechanics help give him deception. Lyman's secondary stuff, a sharp curve and a splitter he uses as a changeup, also will need time to develop.

The Braves drafted Lyman in the second round last June and signed him away from Arizona State with a $460,000 bonus. His bulldog mentality eased his transition into pro ball. His main pitches are a fastball that sits at 93-94 mph and a sharp curveball. His two-seam fastball features nice run, and he uses a splitter as a changeup. He has good control but will have to do a better job of locating his pitches at higher level. Some scouts worry about his delivery. Though he throws strikes and creates deception, his mechanics are inconsistent. Having ironed out a few flaws during instructional league, Lyman should be part of Rome's rotation this year.