Danny Rosenbaum

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #22 prospect in 2013
  After helping Xavier reach its first NCAA regional in 2009, Rosenbaum signed with the Nationals for $20,000 and went about carving up hitters at every level for the next three years. He carried a 2.35 career ERA into 2012, when he got off to a sterling start at Double-A Harrisburg, going 6-1, 1.69 through the end of May. But he went 2-9, 5.76 over the final three months of the season, as his stuff flattened out and he struggled to locate to his arm side. The Nationals left him off their 40-man roster, and the Rockies grabbed him in the major league Rule 5 draft. Rosenbaum relies more on his craftiness and feel for pitching than his stuff, so his command must be precise. His below-average fastball ranges from 84-90 mph, and he can cut it and spot it when he's going right. His best secondary pitch is a solid changeup that he throws with good arm speed. His curveball is fringy but serviceable. Rosenbaum lacks upside, but he has a decent chance to be a touch-and-feel lefty at the back of a big league rotation. He will get the opportunity to join a Colorado staff desperately in need of help, and if he doesn't stick on the big league roster he'll have to clear waivers and be offered back to the Nationals for half his $50,000 draft price.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #23 prospect in 2012
  After helping Xavier reach its first NCAA regional--where he struck out nine in a win against Sam Houston State--Rosenbaum signed for a bargain bonus of $20,000. Since then, he has dominated at every stop in his pro career, even carving up Double-A hitters after an August promotion last year. The Nationals thought Rosenbaum improved the quality of his strikes and elevated his commitment to refining his secondary stuff in the second half of the season. His fastball command, in particular, made strides in 2011. Rosenbaum pounds the zone with an 88-90 mph fastball that tops out at 91. It plays up because of the deception in his delivery and the natural cut on his heater, which helps him pitch inside against righties effectively. His solid downer curveball always has been his No. 2 pitch, at the expense of his changeup development. However, his changeup has improved and become close to an average offering. If Rosenbaum returns to Double-A to start the season, he doesn't figure to be there long. He could reach his ceiling as a No. 5 starter or quality swingman by 2013.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #23 prospect in 2011
  After helping Xavier reach its first NCAA regional--where he struck out nine in a win against Sam Houston State--Rosenbaum signed for a bargain bonus of $20,000 as a 22nd-round pick in 2009. He dominated younger competition in the Gulf Coast League in his pro debut, then proved that was no fluke by carving up Class A hitters in 2010. Rosenbaum is a polished strike-thrower and a dogged competitor. His 88-91 mph fastball plays up because he naturally cuts it, allowing him to jam righthanders. The life on his heater also helps him rack up groundouts--2.03 of them for every airout as a pro. He can throw his solid curveball for strikes or use it as a putaway pitch. The Nationals believe Rosenbaum is a solid changeup away from the big leagues. He started throwing the pitch more after his promotion to Potomac, and it has the makings of a serviceable offering. Rosenbaum repeats his mechanics well and has good command of the strike zone. He's not as tall as John Lannan, but Washington envisions him becoming a crafty innings-eating starter in the same mold. He'll head to Double- A to open 2011 and could get a taste of the big leagues by season's end.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #30 prospect in 2010
  Rosenbaum began his college career at Indiana, where he threw just 20 innings as a freshman in 2007 before transferring to Xavier. He led the Musketeers in strikeouts in each of his two seasons with them, and in 2009 he helped Xavier reach its first NCAA regional playoff, where he struck out nine and allowed just two runs over 6 2/3 innings in a win against Sam Houston State. After signing for $20,000 as a 22nd-round pick, he dominated younger competition in his pro debut, then made a strong impression in instructional league. He pounds the strike zone with an 88-91 mph fastball that touches 92, and he can cut and sink the pitch effectively. His slurvy breaking ball has good depth, and the Nationals envision it as an average slider after he tightens it up a little. He also has good feel for a changeup, which he continued to develop in instructional league, but he needs to refine the pitch. The Nationals compare Rosenbaum to Will Atwood and John Lannan, and he could move just as quickly as they have. He might skip two levels and start 2010 in high Class A Potomac. Some club officials believe he could reach the big leagues by September if he shifts to a relief role. Washington will leave him in a starting role for now, but his future could be as a middle reliever.