John Bannister

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Texas Rangers #30 prospect in 2009
  Though he was a high school teammate of J.J. Hardy, the extra exposure didn't get Bannister drafted. Instead, he signed as a nondrafted free agent for $17,500 and steadily progressed through the system until Tommy John surgery knocked him out for the entire 2007 season. The Rangers moved him to the bullpen when he returned in 2008 and worked to give him more structure and simplify his game. The shift to relief caused his velocity to spike, and by the time he reached the Arizona Fall League, Bannister's fastball was sitting at 93-96 mph and touching 97-98--a jump of 4 mph from his pre-surgery days. That made for an easy decision to add him to the 40-man roster. Before he got hurt, Bannister flashed an excellent curveball, and it now has developed into a hard hammer with 11-to-5 break. He's still working on gaining consistent command of his pitches, but his stuff is better than it ever has been and his feel for pitching is promising. Bannister doesn't always locate his pitches where he needs to in the strike zone, but he does throw the ball over the plate. If he can stay healthy and refine his command, Bannister has the upside of a big league closer. He figures to return to Double-A to start 2009 and could reach the big leagues by season's end.
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  Ranked Texas Rangers #23 prospect in 2006
  Bannister played at Tucson's Sabino High with J.J. Hardy, but the added exposure didn't get him drafted in 2002. He signed with the Rangers as a nondrafted free agent that August for $17,500 and since has become an intriguing prospect in his own right. In 2005, he learned how to make adjustments and be a professional in an up-and-down season in low Class A. He had some ugly outings, like a one-inning, nine-run disaster in June, but also showed flashes of brilliance, such as an eight-inning, 12-strikeout gem he spun in August. Bannister has a projectable frame, a loose arm and an improving delivery. He has an effective two-seam fastball that sits at 89-92 mph and touches 94, and he sometimes flashes a big league curveball with excellent bite and good depth. His changeup has improved but is still below average, and his command wavers. He's still more thrower than pitcher, though he does show some feel for his craft. He needs to learn how to pitch out of jams better. Bannister figures to pitch in the high Class A rotation in 2006. If his changeup doesn't develop, his future will be as a reliever.
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  Ranked Texas Rangers #27 prospect in 2005
  Bannister starred at Sabino High in Tucson, where he played with Brewers shortstop prospect J.J. Hardy, but he wasn't drafted after his senior season in 2002. He planned on attending Yavapai (Ariz.) Junior College before part-time scout Dave Birecki saw his performance catch up to his potential while pitching for the Arizona Firebirds, a Connie Mack team. Birecki, now an area scout for the Mets, signed him as a nondrafted free agent for $17,500. Bannister has impressed the Rangers ever since. He has a long, projectable frame, a loose arm and a smooth arm action that he repeats well. He fills the strike zone with an 87-91 mph fastball that was touching 94-95 mph in instructional league. His 12-to-6 curveball, with refinement, could end up as one of the best in the system. He also throws a developing changeup. Though much less heralded, Bannister will challenge Eric Hurley and Michael Schlact for the No. 1 spot in the low Class A rotation this year.