Eric DuBose

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #20 prospect in 2003
  DuBose was an All-American at Mississippi State and a first-round pick by the Athletics in 1997. He flashed great stuff and was regarded as one of Oakland's top prospects, but injuries threatened his career. He was waived twice in September 2000 and didn't even play in 2001 after getting released by the Tigers that March. He had surgery in April 2001 to repair his left labrum and rotator cuff. The Orioles brought him to major league spring training last year, but shoulder stiffness eliminated what small chance he had of making the club. The club did hold on to him and sent him to Double-A. He got over early shoulder tightness to stay healthy and pitch well. DuBose was getting ready for the Arizona Fall League when the Orioles called him up in September, after Yorkis Perez went on the 60-day disabled list to open a spot on the 40-man roster. He made his major league debut with a scoreless inning against the Blue Jays. DuBose kept his spot on the 40-man in the offseason and will compete for a big league bullpen spot in the spring. DuBose now throws 88-90 mph with a curveball and changeup, and he added a slider last season. The Orioles won't try to make him any more than a lefty specialist out of the bullpen for now.
• 
  Ranked Oakland Athletics #3 prospect in 1999
  Background: Many scouts considered DuBose a candidate to be the first pitcher taken in the '97 draft before a blister problem caused his stock to slip. As a sophomore, he led the Southeastern Conference with 174 strikeouts. He threw two complete games in the NCAA Regionals as a junior to help Mississippi State to the College World Series. Strengths: DuBose made great strides during the '98 season, improving his control, his mound presence and just about every other factor of his pitching. Most impressive was the development of his changeup. He also throws a moving fastball in the low 90s and an exceptional curve. Weaknesses: DuBose still needs work to avoid spates of wildness, though his control improved markedly last year. He remains inconsistent with his pitches, making too many mistakes and occasionally hanging curveballs. The Future: DuBose should start the 1999 season at Triple-A. The A's have full expectations that he will mature into a solid big league starter.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #53 prospect in 1999

• December, 1998 Scouting Report
  Background: Many scouts considered DuBose a candidate to be the first pitcher taken in the '97 draft before a blister problem caused his stock to slip. As a sophomore, he led the Southeastern Conference with 174 strikeouts. He threw two complete games in the NCAA Regionals as a junior to help Mississippi State to the College World Series. Strengths: DuBose made great strides during the '98 season, improving his control, his mound presence and just about every other factor of his pitching. Most impressive was the development of his changeup. He also throws a moving fastball in the low 90s and an exceptional curve. Weaknesses: DuBose still needs work to avoid spates of wildness, though his control improved markedly last year. He remains inconsistent with his pitches, making too many mistakes and occasionally hanging curveballs. The Future: DuBose should start the 1999 season at Triple-A. The A's have full expectations that he will mature into a solid big league starter.