Drafted in the 3rd round (90th overall) by the Chicago White Sox in 2002 (signed for $440,000).
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Former Liberty RHP Josh Rupe transferred to Louisburg JC, where he has shown off an explosive 88-94 mph fastball and a plus curveball. He has poor mechanics, but his stuff could sneak him into the top five rounds.
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Part of the July 2003 Carl Everett trade with the White Sox, Rupe entered spring training with a legitimate chance to win a big league rotation spot but came down with elbow tendinitis. He didn't get going until June and the Rangers decided to use him out of the Double-A bullpen to get him back to the majors more quickly. He reached Texas in late July and proved to be an effective reliever. Rupe has a starter's repertoire, with four average or better pitches he can throw for strikes. His 91-94 mph fastball has plenty of late sink and his plus slider is an out pitch. He also throws a solid 12-to-6 curveball and a changeup. Despite his stuff, Rupe hasn't stuck as a starter because he hasn't been able to stay healthy in that role. His mechanics are still inconsistent, though he has settled into a three-quarters arm slot. Barring injury, Rupe will be on Texas' Opening Day roster, likely as a set-up man, though the Rangers haven't given up on the idea that he can help their rotation.
The Rangers still have hope for all three players they got from the White Sox in a July 2003 trade for Carl Everett. Frankie Francisco joined the Texas bullpen in 2004 before hurting his elbow, while outfielder Anthony Webster remains one of the system's best athletes. In the long run, Rupe should be the best of the trio. Scouts who saw him struggle in the first half of 2005 swear he was a completely different pitcher when they saw him relieving for the Rangers in September. Earlier in the year, his fastball sat in the mid-80s without any sink and he couldn't miss bats with any of his offerings. But his approach became much more professional in 2005, and he was able to work through his struggles. His fastball regained its life in the second half, sitting at 91-94 mph and touching 96 with plus sinking action. His best pitch remains his power cutter/slider, which he throws at 85-89 mph with late movement. Rupe's slow, three-quarters curveball and his changeup are decent pitches but lag behind his harder weapons. He doesn't have a big body and his arm might be more suited for a relief role long term. His four-pitch repertoire still could make him an effective starter if he ever harnesses his command--the perennial question with Rupe, who still has difficulty repeating his release point. He'll pitch out of the bullpen for Texas in 2006.
Rupe grew up playing with and against some of the game's top young talent, such as B.J. Upton, in Virginia's Tidewater region. He joined the Rangers in the fruitful Carl Everett trade in 2003 that also netted Franklin Francisco and Anthony Webster. Rupe missed two months with a forearm strain in 2004 but had a healthy, productive second half. He has shown four quality pitches. The best is his cut fastball, which he throws at 87-88 mph when it's at its best. His low-90s fastball works well when he keeps it down in the zone. He throws his solid curveball and changeup for strikes. Rupe needs to work off his fastball more and harness his command of the pitch. At times, he flies open with his front shoulder and drags his arm. When Rupe realizes that he can succeed without throwing 95 mph, staying healthy will be his biggest obstacle. Ticketed for Double-A to start 2005, he can become a middle-of-the-rotation starter.
The Rangers were allowed to choose three prospects from a pool of eight when they traded Carl Everett to the White Sox last summer, but Rupe was atop their list all along. Chicago brought him along slowly and didn't moved him into its low Class A rotation until mid-June. Rupe works with four pitches and a loose, live arm. His fastball sits at 91 mph and tops out at 95 with outstanding sink. His slider ranks among the best breaking balls in the organization. He also throws a good downward-breaking curveball. The Rangers were pleasantly surprised with Rupe's changeup, but he needs to build confidence in the pitch by throwing it more often. He wore down at the end of the season and has to improve his endurance. Armed with four pitches, command and projectability, Rupe has all the ingredients to develop into a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter. He'll move up to high Class A this season.
Rupe was drafted as a project. After he signed, the White Sox limited his work while overhauling his mechanics, similar to the program they drew up for Corwin Malone. Rupe just needs to harness his live arm. He has a 91-93 mph fastball, but his best pitch is an old-fashioned, Nolan Ryan-style overhand curveball that starts out at the top of the strike zone and ends up at the knees. Bristol manager Nick Leyva called it the best breaking pitch he's seen from a young pitcher in years. He also has strong makeup. Rupe sometimes looks mechanical on the mound as he tries to learn his delivery. He'll need a lot of innings to be able to repeat the changes that Sox coaches have implemented. Until he figures it all out, control will be an issue. Rupe probably will spend 2003 as a starter in low Class A.
Minor League Top Prospects
Rupe fell under the radar screen of several managers. The White Sox were cautious with Rupe, limiting him mostly to bullpen duty while trying to refine his mechanics. Those who saw Rupe noted his outstanding stuff. He works off a solid 91-93 mph fastball, and his best pitch is an old-fashioned overhand curveball that looks likes it's falling out of the sky as it whistles through the strike zone. Bristol manager Nick Leyva called it the best breaking ball he'd seen from a young kid in a long time. Rupe also has the makings of a big league changeup. He'll be a three-pitch pitcher once he gains the consistency needed with his delivery. "You can sense when a kid is going to make it and I have that sense about Josh," Leyva said. "He's got great makeup and excellent overall stuff. Once he puts everything together, he's going to be a big-time starter."
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Rated Best Slider in the Texas Rangers in 2007
Rated Best Slider in the Texas Rangers in 2006
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