Andy Sonnanstine Stats & Scouting Report

IP	540
ERA	5.267
WHIP	1.394
BB/9	2.267
SO/9	5.717

Full name Andrew Michael Sonnanstine
Born 03/18/1983 in Barberton, OH
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Kent State
Debut 06/05/2007
Drafted in the 13th round (375th overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2004.

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Sonnanstine has improved significantly since redshirting his freshman year at Kent State because he wasn't considered strong enough to compete in Division I. He dominated the New England Collegiate last summer, giving up just 28 hits in 58 innings, and was the league's No. 8 prospect. Now solidly built at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Sonnanstine was 7-4, 2.69 this year with averages of 8.4 strikeouts and 1.7 walks per nine innings. He throws four pitches consistently for strikes, including an 88-92 mph fastball with sink and boring action, and an 83-86 mph slider. He adds deception to his delivery by varying his arm slot. Opinions are mixed on Sonnanstine, though some teams see him as a fifth- to eighth-round pick. His detractors say he has a below-average fastball and limited projection.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Rays' 2006 minor league pitcher of the year, Sonnanstine finished first in the minors in shutouts (four) and second in innings. He won nine straight decisions at midseason, allowing just nine earned runs during that stretch, and added two more victories in the Southern League playoffs. His lone plus pitch is a changeup that Tampa Bay righty Jamie Shields taught him. Sonnanstine mixes the changeup well with his upper-80s fastball and sneaky slurve, and few pitches in the minors throw more quality strikes. He has more career starts (63) than walks (62), and managers rated his control the best in the Southern League last summer. Athletic and competitive, Sonnanstine is a durable workhorse who must continue to prove himself at every level. He has enough stuff and the guile to pitch in the lower half of a big league rotation. He'll spend most of 2007 in Triple-A.
Sonnanstine won the system's pitching triple crown in 2005, leading all Tampa Bay farmhands in wins, strikeouts and ERA. His most eye-popping number was his 178-18 K-BB rato, and managers rated him as having the best control in the Midwest League. He has proven durable, setting a Kent State record with 125 innings in 2004 and working a total of 363 frames over the last two years, including a system-best 181 last year. Sonnanstine doesn't have overwhelming stuff, but he maintains it over the course of a game and stays ahead of hitters. His changeup is his best pitch, and he also throws an 88-92 mph fastball and a backdoor slurve. He also fields his position well and does all the little things to help himself win games. While his command and feel are very good, he does struggle to maintain a consistent arm slot. He'll begin the year in Double-A.

Minor League Top Prospects

Sonnanstine's stuff isn't as good as Niemann's or Talbot's, but unlike them, he played a role in Montgomery's success all season long. He reeled off nine straight victories in June and July, and he led the minors with four complete games--all shutouts. Durable and resilient, he topped the SL in wins (15) and innings (186, which ranked second in the minors). Sonnanstine's plus-plus control and plus command are more notable than the quality of his pitches. His best offering is his changeup, as he worked hard with Biscuits pitching coach Xavier Hernandez to perfect his grip and arm action. He also throws an 89-92 mph fastball and a slurvy breaking ball, keeping hitters off balance by varying his arm angle and changing speeds. "This guy might be too smart for the game," an AL scout said. "He's confident, mixes his pitches well and always seems to have a plan."