Daniel Haigwood

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #22 prospect in 2007
  After compiling a 43-1 career record in high school and a 32-11 mark over his first four pro seasons, Haigwood suffered through a losing season in 2006, which he spent in two new organizations. He began the year in the Phillies system, having been acquired from the White Sox in the 2005 Jim Thome trade, and was dealt to Texas in June for lefthander Fabio Castro. An intelligent lefty with a four-pitch mix, Haigwood has an innate ability to pitch his way out of jams, but he needs to do a better job avoiding jams in the first place. His best pitch is a plus changeup that's effective against righthanders, and his sharp curveball gives him an out pitch against lefties. Haigwood also has a workable slider and a fringe-average high-80s fastball that he needs to learn to trust. With less than overpowering stuff, his strength has always been his feel for pitching, but his high walk total in 2006 was indicative of his occasional command problems. Headed for Triple-A this year, he profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #6 prospect in 2006
  Haigwood went 43-1 at Midland High in Arkansas and has continued his winning ways as a pro, going 32-11 in the White Sox system before joining the Phillies in the Jim Thome trade. Despite missing the entire 2003 season following surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, Haigwood reached Double-A last year as a 21-year-old. He primarily works with fringe-average velocity, but he gained a little extra zip in 2005, topping out in the low 90s with a two-seamer that dives to the bottom of the strike zone. His best pitch is his slider that some call a sharp curveball. His changeup has improved each year. Haigwood can be particularly tough on lefties, though righthanders didn't have any success against him in Double-A, batting .141. He works quickly and has developed a reputation for escaping the toughest of jams. Haigwood is at least a year away but has earned his first trip to big league camp.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #19 prospect in 2005
  Some pitchers just know how to win, and Haigwood fits into that category. He didn't lose until his final game as an Arkansas high schooler, going 43-1, and has won 18 of his 26 decisions as a pro. He tied for the staff lead in victories at Kannapolis last year after missing 2003 following surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Because Haigwood was rusty, his trademark command was absent at first but got sharper as the 2004 season went along. Haigwood's best pitch is his curveball, which breaks sharply and makes him especially tough on lefthanders. His fastball is fringe average, topping out at 90 mph, but he has worked to develop a two-seamer with some sink. He's still refining his changeup but does a good job of throwing it for strikes. Following an impressive instructional league, Haigwood will pitch in the high Class A Winston-Salem rotation in 2005.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #18 prospect in 2003
  Scouts love radar guns, but even so it's hard to figure how Haigwood slipped through the cracks. He was dominant throughout his high school career, winning his first 43 decisions and not allowing an earned run as a senior before losing 5-3 in the Arkansas state 2-A semifinals. His playoff run included a no-hitter and a 16-strikeout performance in which he threw 78 of 94 pitches for strikes. Yet Haigwood slid deep into the 2002 draft, only in part because he was committed to the University of Arkansas. The White Sox found he wanted to play pro ball, however, and it's no wonder why. He was outstanding in the Arizona League, leading the league in wins and showing fine command. Haigwood isn't overpowering but can hit 90 with his fastball. He complements it with a plus curveball--it was rated the best at the Perfect Game predraft showcase in May--and has learned to throw a two-seam fastball. He should increase velocity as he matures. His changeup needs work but he can throw it for strikes. Scouts give him high marks for his pitching acumen, saying he has a natural feel for setting up hitters. Haigwood probably is headed for the low Class A South Atlantic League in 2003. If he keeps this up, a lot of teams are going to be kicking themselves for getting scared off such an obvious pick.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Arizona Complex League #6 prospect in 2002
  Haigwood doesn't have overpowering stuff, but he knows how to win. Against Arkansas high school competition, he won his first 43 career decisions before finally taking a loss in the state 2-A semifinals this spring. He led the AZL with eight wins and was second in ERA and strikeouts. "He really knows what he's doing," Angels manager Brian Harper said. "He doesn't throw that hard, but he's got three solid pitches and he moves them in and out well." Haigwood learned to throw a two-seam fastball this year. He picked it up so well that it was the only kind of fastball he threw in a late-season start, when he averaged 88-89 mph. "He should add another 2-3 mph when he adds strength," Hairston said. "He already has a major league curveball and mixes his change in well. He's got the poise and makeup to go far in this game."

• December, 2002 Scouting Report
  Scouts love radar guns, but even so it's hard to figure how Haigwood slipped through the cracks. He was dominant throughout his high school career, winning his first 43 decisions and not allowing an earned run as a senior before losing 5-3 in the Arkansas state 2-A semifinals. His playoff run included a no-hitter and a 16-strikeout performance in which he threw 78 of 94 pitches for strikes. Yet Haigwood slid deep into the 2002 draft, only in part because he was committed to the University of Arkansas. The White Sox found he wanted to play pro ball, however, and it's no wonder why. He was outstanding in the Arizona League, leading the league in wins and showing fine command. Haigwood isn't overpowering but can hit 90 with his fastball. He complements it with a plus curveball--it was rated the best at the Perfect Game predraft showcase in May--and has learned to throw a two-seam fastball. He should increase velocity as he matures. His changeup needs work but he can throw it for strikes. Scouts give him high marks for his pitching acumen, saying he has a natural feel for setting up hitters. Haigwood probably is headed for the low Class A South Atlantic League in 2003. If he keeps this up, a lot of teams are going to be kicking themselves for getting scared off such an obvious pick.