Brian Omogrosso
| IP | 37 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.595 |
| WHIP | 1.784 |
| BB/9 | 4.378 |
| SO/9 | 8.27 |
- Full name Brian Scott Omogrosso
- Born 04/26/1984 in Beaver Falls, PA
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 240 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Indiana State
- Debut 07/03/2012
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Drafted in the 6th round (195th overall) by the Chicago White Sox in 2006 (signed for $105,000).
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When Omogrosso threw 92-95 mph with a plus slider as a sophomore in 2004, he set himself up as an early-round pick for 2005. Tommy John surgery intervened, but he has pitched well enough in his comeback this spring that he could go anywhere from the third to the seventh round. Omogrosso has dropped his arm angle from low three-quarters to sidearm, and he hit 96 mph early in the year. He pitched at 92-93 with good life for much of the season before dropping to 88-91 at the end. His slider hasn't bounced back as well as his fastball, and his command is not sharp, but he's still a 6-foot-3, 225-pounder with a lot of arm strength.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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Give Omogrosso credit for never giving up on himself, and the White Sox kudos for not writing him off. He survived Tommy John surgery at Indiana State and a torn labrum in 2009 to reach the big leagues in his seventh pro season. He looked comfortable enough that manager Robin Ventura gave him big innings in a playoff race. Omogrosso has one of the highest leg kicks in baseball and comes at hitters like a modern-day Sam McDowell. His fastball sits at 93-95 mph and hits 97. He backs it up with a hard slider in the low 80s and an occasional curve. After showing better control and command than ever in Triple-A last year, Omogrosso wasn't as accurate in Chicago yet still was effective. His peak value is probably as a seventh- or eighth-inning reliever, and he could slot into Jesse Crain's role if the White Sox find a taker for Crain's salary. -
The White Sox thought Omogrosso might be on the verge of breaking out in 2008, but he instead spent three stints on the disabled list with blister problems and worked only 39 innings. A similar scenario played out three years earlier, when Omogrosso was on course to be a top pick in the 2005 draft, only to have Tommy John surgery. When healthy, he's a power pitcher whose low three-quarters delivery makes him tough on righthanders. Omogrosso can ride his 91-93 mph two-seam fastball in on the hands of righties or blow them away with a four-seamer that touches 96. He flashed a plus slider before his elbow required reconstruction, but it hasn't had the same tilt since. He lost valuable development time last year, as he needs innings to refine his slider and his control. He does a good job of keeping the ball down but sometimes struggles to find the strike zone. Some club officials believe Omogrosso would have earned a big league promotion in 2008 if not for his blister problems and expect him to get to Chicago in 2009. -
On course to be a top draft pick after his sophomore season at Indiana State, Omogrosso wound up being sidelined by an elbow injury that would require Tommy John surgery in 2005. He has been climbing back ever since and looks like he may be ready to have a breakout season in 2008. A barrel-chested kid with a tough attitude, he projects as a late-inning reliever. Omogrosso's best pitch is a mid-90s fastball with good movement that he can throw from a low three-quarters or sidearm delivery. He flashed a plus slider as a college sophomore, but it hasn't had quite the same tilt or depth since his surgery. The White Sox put him in the rotation last year to get him some more work. Omogrosso handled the switch well, throwing one shutout and ending the year with three consecutive quality starts, but the real benefit was that he used his improved changeup with regularity. That could be a big pitch for him, as he has been far more effective against righthanders than lefties. He's a good athlete who lettered in football and basketball in high school. Omogrosso is ticketed for Double-A, either as a starter or a closer. -
Omogrosso intrigued scouts by throwing 92-95 mph with a plus slider as an Indiana State sophomore in 2004, but his draft hopes were quashed by Tommy John surgery in 2005. He bounced back last year to touch 96 mph early in the spring and pitch at 92-93. He also dropped his arm slot from low three-quarters to sidearm, improving the sink on his fastball. The White Sox took him in the sixth round in June and signed him for $105,000. As is typical of pitchers coming back from elbow reconstruction, his secondary pitches and control have lagged behind his velocity. His slider has been inconsistent, and his new arm angle makes it tougher to stay on top of the pitch. Omogrosso was able to go straight to low Class A, reinforcing the White Sox' belief that he can move quickly one he's healthy. He figures begin his first full pro season in high Class A, possibly as a closer.
