Vinnie Chulk
| IP | 285 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.516 |
| WHIP | 1.418 |
| BB/9 | 3.537 |
| SO/9 | 6.284 |
- Full name Charles Vincent Chulk
- Born 12/19/1978 in Miami, FL
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School St. Thomas University (FL)
- Debut 09/08/2003
- Drafted in the 12th round (358th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2000.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Chulk had his worst season as a pro in 2003 and probably will return to the relief role he inhabited earlier in his career. His first extended shot at Triple-A started poorly as Chulk, a sinker/slider pitcher, elevated his fastball and gave up six homers in his first 20 innings. He missed a month with a sore throwing elbow, then made an adjustment that worked well the rest of the season and earned him a September callup. Chulk stopped trying to muscle his average 88-91 mph fastball past hitters and stuck to spotting it down in the strike zone. He's comparable to Jason Arnold in results and track record. His fastball has better movement and his hard slider is an average pitch, but he lacks Arnold's plus changeup and needs to command his change better. He throws a slurvy curve as well. Chulk has a track record as an effective setup man in the lower minors and has a resilient arm, which could come in handy if the Jays return him to bullpen. He'll start 2004 in Triple-A. -
Chulk got a tryout with NCAA Division II St. Thomas thanks to a recommendation from his future brother-in-law, the team's center fielder. It took 10 pitches in a bullpen session for coach Manny Mantrana to give Chulk a scholarship. The Blue Jays gambled Chulk had the four-pitch repertoire to move into the rotation while jumping to Double-A in 2002, and he rewarded that hunch by becoming the Southern League's pitcher of the year. Chulk's best pitch is a 91-94 mph sinker, and he does a good job of keeping it down in the zone. His slider, curveball and changeup are all solid offerings that he commands well. His competitiveness is a major asset, and Chulk showed he can pitch effectively without his best stuff. He's an above-average athlete who does little things (fielding, holding runners) well. Chulk doesn't have a strikeout pitch or the stuff to get by when he can't find the strike zone. He must refine his changeup to better combat lefthanders, who batted .272 against him. Chulk profiles as a No. 3 or No. 4 starter. He also has the resilient arm and command potential to be an effective middle reliever. He'll return to Triple-A in 2003. -
Alternately known as Charles or Charlie, Chulk made a name for himself in the organization in 2001 with a breakthrough season. Like Chris Baker, Chulk starred at an NAIA program and can work in either a starting role or out of the bullpen. His role in 2002 will depend on his performance in spring training and the organization's needs. Chulk has power stuff the organization likes out of its relievers. He throws three pitches from three different arm slots: a 90-94 mph fastball, a hard slider and a show-me changeup. Chulk generally uses a low three-quarters slot that gives his fastball nasty sink, and his slider is a plus pitch when he stays on top of it. He has the athleticism and coordination to repeat his many deliveries and also fields his position well. He has the mentality to close eventually and could fill a bullpen opening in Toronto this year. If the Blue Jays decide to keep him as a starter, he'll begin 2002 back in Double-A.
Minor League Top Prospects
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The league's most outstanding pitcher apparently has a weakness: Mexican food. It was the only thing to stop him all season. After winning 10 of 13 starts, Chulk was done in by bad Mexican food before a late July start at West Tenn. He lasted just three innings, though he blanked the Diamond Jaxx before departing. Hitters praised Chulk's ability to keep them off balance. He throws in the low 90s and has picked up a cut fastball to go with a slider and changeup. "He's learned his delivery, to pitch within himself and hit his spots," Smokies pitching coach Craig Lefferts said.
