Drafted in the 1st round (5th overall) by the Chicago White Sox in 1987 (signed for $165,000).
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Stanford's McDowell has yet to pitch this season to the standards he set a year ago, although he struck out 13 in 7.2 innings in a late March outing against Arizona State. McDowell has slipped a notch or two, although scouts are mindful that injuries plagued some of his early season outings.
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The fifth player selected last June, McDowell could be the Opening Day starter and is an early favorite for American League Rookie of the Year.
McDowell was brilliant in four starts for the White Sox last September (3-0, 1.93 ERA), after a rough breaking-in period at high Class A Sarasota and Double-A Birmingham (1-3, 6.51). His problems disappeared after the White Sox tightened his delivery, which stabilized his release point.
McDowell’s fastball is consistent at 87-89 mph and has been clocked as high as 93. His forkball and slider are power pitches but need to become more consistent. The Sox rave about his maturity and presence on the mound, which is a trait that all pitchers seem to carry out of Stanford.
Scouting Reports
The fifth player selected last June, McDowell could be the Opening Day starter and is an early favorite for American League Rookie of the Year.
McDowell was brilliant in four starts for the White Sox last September (3-0, 1.93 ERA), after a rough breaking-in period at high Class A Sarasota and Double-A Birmingham (1-3, 6.51). His problems disappeared after the White Sox tightened his delivery, which stabilized his release point.
McDowell’s fastball is consistent at 87-89 mph and has been clocked as high as 93. His forkball and slider are power pitches but need to become more consistent. The Sox rave about his maturity and presence on the mound, which is a trait that all pitchers seem to carry out of Stanford.
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