Daniel Tillman

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #20 prospect in 2013
  After he cruised through the lower minors in his first two pro seasons, Tillman was a major disappointment in 2012. Pushed to Double-A after spending most of the previous year in low Class A, he showed a power arm but little feel for the strike zone. He recorded a 12.10 ERA and 19 walks in 19 innings, necessitating a demotion to high Class A, where he managed to have success in the second half. Tillman's fastball operates at 92-95 mph and gets as high as 98 mph. His heater has occasional sink, though some scouts think it's too flat. His No. 2 pitch is a below-average slider that lacks depth and can get slurvy. Tillman has high-effort mechanics and struggles to find his release point, which leads to erratic control. He's an emotional pitcher, and once he starts to struggle, he gets rattled and lets the game speed up on him. His velocity makes him an intriguing bullpen possibility, but he still has plenty of adjustments before he can help the Angels. He'll take another shot at Double-A in 2013.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #8 prospect in 2012
  In his 2010 pro debut, Tillman led Pioneer League relievers with 13.9 strikeouts per nine innings and a .195 opponent average. The Angels attempted to stretch him out as a starter in low Class A last year, and he went 2-1, 3.09 in five turns. They believe his intensity is better suited for closing, so they returned him to the bullpen for good on May 22. He logged a 2.52 ERA and a 52-20 K-BB ratio afterward in the Midwest, California and Arizona Fall leagues. Tillman pitches with a 92-95 mph fastball with above-average sink and backs it up with a 78-80 mph slider that finishes low in the zone. He delivers both plus pitches with the same motion and the same three-quarters arm slot, adding to their deception. He improved the depth and power on his slider in the AFL, regularly topping out near 84 mph. Tillman has flashed an average changeup from time to time, but he lacks confidence in the pitch because he has spent the bulk of his amateur and pro career in the bullpen. He'll need to throw more strikes at higher levels. Tillman's quick arm and two quality pitches make him a candidate to ride quickly through the minors. He could open 2012 in Double-A and finish 2013 in the big leagues, eventually emerging as a set-up man.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #14 prospect in 2011
  A standout closer at NCAA Division II power Florida Southern, Tillman enhanced his draft profile considerably with a dominating performance in the Cape Cod League in the summer of 2009. He didn't allow an earned run in 16 appearances for Cotuit, while striking out 31 in 22 innings. Signed for $443,700 as a second-round pick last June, Tillman overmatched Pioneer League competition in his debut. He led the league's relievers in strikeouts per nine innings (13.9) and opponent average (.195), while racking up five times as many strikeouts (50) as walks (10). Tillman's quick arm unleashes a consistent 90-95 mph fastball that touches 97 with plus sinking life. He improved the quality of his low-80s slider from below average to a tick above by toying with his grip on the pitch all season. His arm action is surprisingly clean for such a hard-throwing reliever, and he also shows an occasional average changeup. Though he has enough stuff and command to possibly make it as a starter, the Angels plan to keep him in the bullpen, a role in which he could move quickly. Evaluators value his competitive makeup and ultimately see him as a potential set-up man or possible closer. He's equipped to start his first full pro season in high Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Pioneer League #3 prospect in 2010
  The Angels held six of the top 81 picks in this year's draft and used the last of those to take Tillman, a standout closer at NCAA Division II power Florida Southern. He didn't skip a beat in his pro debut, mixing two deadly pitches with strong control to top Pioneer League relievers in strikeouts per nine innings (13.9) and opponent average (.195). Tillman's quick arm produces a 94-95 mph fastball that touches 97 with plus sinking life. He toyed with his slider grip all summer, working it from a below-average to plus offering in the mid-80s. He also mixes in an occasional changeup and has a clean arm action, so the Angels might give him a spin in the rotation next season. He attacks batters, as evidenced by his 5-1 K-BB ratio. Observers loved Tillman's bulldog mentality and projected him as a big league set-up man or possible closer.

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: In his 2010 pro debut, Tillman led Pioneer League relievers with 13.9 strikeouts per nine innings and a .195 opponent average. The Angels attempted to stretch him out as a starter in low Class A last year, and though he fared well--going 2-1, 3.09 in five turns--they believe his intensity is better suited for closing. Tillman returned to the bullpen for good on May 22 and logged a 2.52 ERA and a 52-20 K-BB ratio afterward in the Midwest, California and Arizona Fall leagues.Scouting Report: Tillman pitches with a 92-95 mph fastball with above-average sink and backs it up with a 78-80 mph slider that finishes low in the zone. He delivers both plus pitches with the same motion and the same three-quarters arm slot, adding to their deception. He improved the depth and power on his slider in the AFL, regularly topping out near 84 mph. Tillman has flashed an average changeup from time to time, but he lacks confidence in the pitch because he has spent the bulk of his amateur and pro career in the bullpen. He'll need to throw more strikes at higher levels.The Future: Tillman's quick arm and two quality pitches make him a candidate to ride quickly through the minors. He could open 2012 in Double-A and finish 2013 in the big leagues, eventually emerging as a set-up man.