Joe Gardner

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #31 prospect in 2013
  The Rockies acquired Gardner in the July 2011 trade that sent Ubaldo Jimenez to the Indians. Gardner was pitching at Double-A at the time and stayed at that level in the Rockies organization for six starts, then returned there to open 2012. Early in the season his fastball velocity dropped to 85-88 mph, and the Rockies took him out of the rotation in July to make room for Brandon Hynick. Gardner pitched well in five relief appearances, and when Tyler Chatwood was promoted to Colorado in August, Gardner returned to the rotation. The time in the bullpen seemed to re-energize his arm, and he went 3-1, 1.96 in his final six starts with increased velocity, touching 92 mph and sitting at 89 with his fastball. The pitch has good sinking action and produces a lot of ground balls because of Gardner's slinging arm action from a low three-quarters arm slot. He's particularly tough on righthanders. His other pitches are lackluster, with his changeup his second-best pitch followed by a slurvy breaking ball that is below-average. Gardner projects to be a middle reliever and should begin 2013 at Triple-A.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #25 prospect in 2012
  An Indians third-round pick in 2009, Gardner had to wait a year to make his pro debut because of a ribcage injury. Once he got started, he quickly established himself as a groundball machine. That was especially evident after he came to the Rockies in the Ubaldo Jimenez trade last July. In six Double-A starts after switching organizations, Gardner posted a 2.48 ERA and a 4.5 groundout/airout ratio. At the time of the deal, Colorado GM Dan O'Dowd said Gardner eventually would move to the bullpen and likened his arm action, body and action on his pitches to those of Sergio Romo. Gardner lives off his 87-92 mph sinker, slinging it from a deceptive low three-quarters arm angle. His other pitches are nothing special, a below-average slider that has more bend than bite and a fringy changeup. His control and command need to improve as well. He struggles to pitch inside to lefthanders and gets jumpy while working out of the stretch. Gardner may remain in the rotation for a little while longer and should open the season in Triple-A.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #9 prospect in 2011
  The co-MVP of the Alaskan Baseball League in 2008, Gardner transferred from Ohlone (Calif.) JC to UC Santa Barbara for his junior season. He signed quickly for $363,000 as a third-round pick in 2009, but a ribcage injury prevented him from making his pro debut until 2010. Though he's not quite as tall, Gardner draws some comparisons to Justin Masterson, Cleveland's No. 2 starter. Both are loose, long-levered righthanders who attack hitters with quality sinkers from a low three-quarters arm slot. Gardner's sinker sits at 89-92 mph and touches 94, allowing him to post a 3.1 groundout/airout ratio last season. He leans heavily on his two-seamer, which has so much life that he has problems locating it at times. Though he can dominate a lineup with his fastball, Gardner needs to improve his secondary pitches. His low arm slot makes it tough to maintain a consistent slider, which is average at its best. He needs a better changeup to combat lefthanders. Gardner has the potential to be a mid-rotation starter if he can develop a reliable slider and changeup. If not, his ability to get groundout would have value out of the bullpen. He should open 2011 in Double-A.