Charlie Manning

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #27 prospect in 2004
  Manning put his name on the prospect radar after striking out 146 in 163 innings between high Class A and Double-A in 2002. He struggled to duplicate that success when a triceps strain robbed him of his effectiveness early in 2003 at Double-A. He was shipped to the bullpen and demoted to high Class A before he was traded for Gabe White. Manning's velocity dropped from its usual 87-89 mph range and bottomed out at 83. By season's end, however, he was back to normal and peaking at 93 mph. He developed a cut fastball that helped him against righthanders. Manning worked with Reds pitching instructor Sammy Ellis on commanding his two-seamer to improve his effectiveness against lefties. He does a good job of keeping the ball down in the zone. He also has a sharp slider and good changeup. Drafted as a college senior, he has to prove himself in Double-A before moving on.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #14 prospect in 2003
  The Brewers drafted Manning in the 22nd round out of high school in 1997, but he headed to Polk (Fla.) CC and was drafted twice more before transferring to Tampa. The Mariners took a shot at signing him as a ninth-rounder following his junior season, but he returned to become the Sunshine State Conference pitcher of the year as a senior before finally signing with the Yankees. Manning finished second in the organization in strikeouts as he transformed himself into a prospect in 2002. He never will be overpowering, but the Yankees like his ability to fill the strike zone with four pitches. His repertoire consists of an 87-89 mph fastball, a late-breaking curveball, a slider and a changeup. His fastball peaks at 92. He's making his changeup a more effective weapon. Manning induces a lot of groundouts and allowed just five home runs by keeping the ball down in the zone. He already exceeded the organization's expectations, and other clubs were asking for him around the trade deadline in July. He should start 2003 in Double-A, where he finished his first full pro season.