Tom Shearn
| IP | 32 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.063 |
| WHIP | 1.406 |
| BB/9 | 3.656 |
| SO/9 | 4.5 |
- Full name Thomas Aaron Shearn
- Born 08/28/1977 in Columbus, OH
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Briggs
- Debut 08/26/2007
- Drafted in the 29th round (864th overall) by the Houston Astros in 1996.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
-
Shearn was a Texas League all-star in 2000 but that wasn't enough to earn him a spot on the 40-man roster or a promotion to Triple-A. Returning to Round Rock and getting crowded out of the rotation turned out to be the best thing for his career. Moved to middle relief, Shearn gained 3-4 mph in velocity and stopped putting pressure on himself. He throws 92 mph coming out of the bullpen, and mixes in curveballs, sliders and changeups. His deceptive delivery also helps his cause. Shearn still must refine his command, both in terms of cutting down on his walks and pitching up in the strike zone less often. He had a strong offseason, first in the Arizona Fall League and then at the World Cup, where he pitched 7 1/3 hitless innings before taking the loss in the gold-medal game. He's a longshot to make the Astros out of spring training and more likely will move to Triple-A.
Minor League Top Prospects
-
Shearn has taken a while to get his due as a prospect. He threw 52 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings in the low Class A Midwest League in 1998 and was a TL all-star in 2000, yet he wasn't protected on the Astros' 40-man roster and was asked to repeat Double-A. He moved into a swingman role this season, overmatching hitters with his rising fastball, slider and deceptive delivery. Such attributes may not be enough to earn a starting role in Houston's overstocked rotation, but he'll compete for a big league bullpen job next spring. "He pitched his way to prospect status," Astros scout Scipio Spinks said. "He's a big guy with a plus fastball and he doesn't back down from any batter."
