Michael Schlact

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #24 prospect in 2007
  Following a breakout 2005 season in low Class A, Schlact took his lumps in 2006, as might be expected from a 20-year-old in the California League. A groundball pitcher, he wasn't helped by Bakersfield's porous infield defense. Schlact, who actually grew another inch in the past year, generates plenty of downhill leverage and gets good sink on his 90-92 mph fastball. Though his changeup continues to be a reliable offering and he made progress with his low-80s slider, Schlact ran into too many deep counts because he lacks a swing-and-miss pitch. Schlact always has been skinny, dating back to his prep career at Wheeler High, the same school that produced recent first-round picks Josh Burrus and Jeremy Hermida. Though he has added some weight since he was drafted, Schlact remains thin. Still, he didn't wear down in 2006, showing life on his fastball late in the season. The Rangers believe Schlact has the strong makeup to learn from his tough season and move forward in 2007, possibly in Double-A.
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  Ranked Texas Rangers #13 prospect in 2006
  When the Rangers drafted him out of Wheeler High (Marietta, Ga.)--the same school that produced ex-big leaguer Shane Monahan and recent first-round picks Josh Burrus and Jeremy Hermida--Schlact was built like a deer. Since then he has bulked up his shoulders and back, which helped give him the durability to pitch 168 innings in his first full pro season. Despite the heavy workload, his stuff was actually better in August than it was in April. His command improved, his changeup made significant strides, and his ability to hold runners and overall game awareness improved greatly. Schlact lives off his 90-92 mph sinker and pitches with a lot of downhill leverage. He still needs to tighten his slurvy breaking ball. He doesn't consistently miss bats because he lacks a true out pitch, though his changeup may eventually fill that void. He still has room to add strength to his frame. The Rangers see Schlact's grounder-inducing repertoire as a perfect fit for Ameriquest Field in Arlington. He'll pitch in the same rotation as Eric Hurley for the third straight year, this time in high Class A. Schlact could find himself in the middle of the Rangers rotation by mid-2008.
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  Ranked Texas Rangers #15 prospect in 2005
  Schlact went to the same high school that yielded first-rounders Josh Burrus (Braves, 2001) and Jeremy Hermida (Marlins, 2002). Schlact didn't quite make it into the first round, but a $455,000 bonus persuaded him to bypass a scholarship to South Carolina. Long, lean and loose-limbed, Schlact is nowhere near a finished product. His fastball has touched 95 mph at times, but he's more regularly in the 87-92 range, velocity he has shown an ability to maintain for six or seven innings. He's coordinated and athletic for such a tall pitcher and has a good feel for his body, resulting in sound mechanics and good control of his fastball. His next-best offering currently is his changeup. He has to tighten up his slurvy curveball, his third pitch. Schlact got off to a great start in the spring before tiring late and needs to get stronger. He should join first-rounder Eric Hurley in the low Class A rotation this spring.