Ryan Kohlmeier
| IP | 67 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.373 |
| WHIP | 1.672 |
| BB/9 | 4.567 |
| SO/9 | 6.179 |
- Full name Ryan L. Kohlmeier
- Born 06/25/1977 in Salina, KS
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Butler CC
- Debut 07/29/2000
- Drafted in the 14th round (411th overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in 1996.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Looking like little more than an organization player coming into the 2000 season, Kohlmeier was slated to be a set-up guy in the Triple-A Rochester bullpen. He became the closer and pitched well enough to get an audition in Baltimore, where he shocked everyone by saving 13 games. Kohlmeier has a low-90s fastball and a slider that improved significantly after he learned a new grip from Rochester teammate Mike Grace. His fastball has great natural sink. What puts him over the top is his makeup, though. He wants the ball in any situation and isn't afraid to challenge hitters, pitching aggressively in the strike zone. Kohlmeier gets the most of his ability and is probably at his ceiling now. He has to be fine with his pitches because he isn't overpowering. It will be interesting to see if big league hitters figure him out once he's no longer a mystery man. He might be better suited to a setup role on a contending team, but Kohlmeier will go into the 2001 season as the Orioles' closer. Given the strides he made in 2000, it might be a mistake to underestimate him.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Opportunity knocked and Kohlmeier answered. The Orioles needed a closer after getting rid of Mike Timlin during their trade-deadline fire sale, and Kohlmeier grabbed the job. In his first 20 games with Baltimore, he posted a 2.08 ERA and converted all 11 of his save chances. And to think Kohlmeier didn’t make Baltimore’s Top 15 prospects in the offseason. He has an above-average fastball to go with a good slider, plus he keeps the ball down in the strike zone. He isn’t afraid to challenge hitters. "He's got a little different arm angle, so hitters don't get a good look at him," Buffalo manager Joel Skinner said. "He's unflappable out there. And he throws strikes."
Scouting Reports
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Opportunity knocked and Kohlmeier answered. The Orioles needed a closer after getting rid of Mike Timlin during their trade-deadline fire sale, and Kohlmeier grabbed the job. In his first 20 games with Baltimore, he posted a 2.08 ERA and converted all 11 of his save chances. And to think Kohlmeier didn’t make Baltimore’s Top 15 prospects in the offseason. He has an above-average fastball to go with a good slider, plus he keeps the ball down in the strike zone. He isn’t afraid to challenge hitters. "He's got a little different arm angle, so hitters don't get a good look at him," Buffalo manager Joel Skinner said. "He's unflappable out there. And he throws strikes."
