Felix Doubront

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #17 prospect in 2012
  After Doubront pitched well as both a starter and reliever in short stints in Boston in 2010, the club figured he'd be able to reinforce the rotation or bullpen if needed last year. But he wasn't up to the task. Doubront didn't show up in spring training in the best of shape and experienced elbow stiffness that prevented him from building up his arm strength. He strained his groin in May and a hamstring in July, and lacked consistency with his stuff and command all year. While the Red Sox were collapsing in September and in need of arms, they didn't trust him with more than mop-up duty. When Doubront is fully healthy and at his best, he throws a sinker that operates at 88-92 mph when he starts and sits at 92-93 when he relieves. His curveball, cutter and changeup all can be solid pitches, though their reliability fluctuated throughout 2011. He repeats his high three-quarters delivery well, allowing him to throw strikes, but he also lapses into nibbling too much at times. Doubront's stock took a hit inside and outside the organization last year, and he'd help his cause by arriving in spring training in peak condition. He'll get the opportunity to make the Red Sox in spring training, though in which role remains unclear.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #5 prospect in 2011
  Signed for $150,000 out of Venezuela in 2004, Doubront became the first Latin American signee of GM Theo Epstein's regime to reach the majors when he beat the Dodgers in an emergency start in June. He made two more decent starts in July, then earned two saves in September. He also went 8-3, 2.81 in the minors to earn the organization's minor league pitcher of the year award. As a starter, Doubront works at 88-92 mph and touches 94 with his fastball, with good sink. As a reliever, he challenges hitters more often with a fastball that sits at 92-93. He uses a changeup and a cutter to keep righthanders at bay. He made major strides with his curveball in 2010. After minor league pitching coordinator Ralph Treuel helped him find a new grip, Doubront shocked the Red Sox by returning to the majors in July and showing a solid curve. He repeats his high three-quarters delivery well, but sometimes nibbles too much and loses the strike zone. The Red Sox lacked an effective southpaw reliever in 2010, and Doubront could fill that role while being more than just a left-on-left specialist. He's also ready to contribute if Boston needs a starter.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #18 prospect in 2010
  Doubront spent most of 2008 in low Class A but responded well when the Red Sox pushed him to Double-A last season. That wasn't a surprise considering his consistent success throughout his pro career--with the exception of 2007, when he fell victim to hernia surgery, a staph infection in his leg and a strained elbow. Since regaining his health, he has blossomed into the most advanced lefthanded starter in the system. Doubront touched 94 mph with his fastball during spring training last year and usually sits at 89-92 mph with good sink. He has added velocity through a long-toss program and other between-starts work, and Boston would like to see him continue to improve his strength. His changeup is better than his curveball, which explains why he has been more effective against righties than lefties. Doubront repeats his clean delivery well. He usually throws strikes but nibbled around the plate at times against Double-A hitters, and his command could use more consistency. He may not be more than a No. 4 starter if he can't improve his curveball, but he's ready for Triple-A at age 22.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #27 prospect in 2009
  Doubront went 11-4, 1.95 in his first two pro seasons before hitting the wall hard in 2007. He had hernia surgery in the offseason, preventing him from doing much conditioning, and developed a staph infection in his leg in spring training. He got shelled at Greenville until straining his elbow, and didn't fare much better in Lowell after returning. For all the luster he lost in 2007, Doubront regained it last season. He pushed himself hard to add strength to his frame, and the results showed. His fastball returned to 88-91 mph with good sink and finish, and he confidently threw inside against righthanders. He also showed improvement with his changeup, control and command. His changeup is his best secondary pitch, and it enabled him to be more effective against righties (.671 opponent OPS) than lefties (.746) last year. Doubront's changeup still can get better, but his curveball needs the most work. It will require some tightening to be more than just a get-me-over pitch. He has clean mechanics and his arm works easily. Back on track, Doubront will open 2009 in high Class A, where he made an impressive three-game cameo at the end of last season.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #18 prospect in 2007
  Signed for $150,000, Doubront broke into pro ball by going 7-1, 0.97 in the Rookie-level Venezuelan Summer League and winning the organization's minor league Latin pitcher of the year award in 2005. He continued to succeed in his stateside debut last season, capping it by winning two starts in the New York-Penn League as an 18-year-old. Doubront has the best arm action in the system. His arm works so clean and easy that he can pound both sides of the plate with his fastball better than most teenagers. Doubront's fastball ranges from 86- 91 mph, and he likes to throw his two-seamer to get grounders so much that the Red Sox have to remind him to use his four-seamer to dial up velocity. Like his fastball command, his changeup is advanced for his age. His curveball is his third pitch, but there's some power to it and it should become a solid-average offering once he tightens it. Doubront didn't miss a lot of bats in 2006, when he led the Gulf Coast League in both opponent average and home runs allowed, but should become more of a strikeout pitcher as his body and his stuff mature. He's ready for low Class A and could reach Boston by the end of 2009.