Chris Huseby
| AB | 104 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .212 |
| OBP | .287 |
| SLG | .288 |
| HR | 0 |
- Full name Christopher John Huseby
- Born 01/11/1988 in Duluth, MN
- Profile Ht.: 6'7" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Martin County
- Drafted in the 11th round (329th overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 2006 (signed for $1,300,000).
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
-
Huseby landed the most stunning bonus in the 2006 draft, signing for an 11th-round-record $1.3 million after barely pitching as a high school senior. He had pitched for Team USA's youth team and was laying the groundwork for being an early-round pick before he needed Tommy John surgery in the spring of 2005. Though he didn't pitch much between then and the draft, the Cubs monitored him closely and saw enough in a workout to make a seven-figure investment. Though Huseby pitched at 86-90 mph for much of 2007, Chicago doesn't regret that decision. He's still ultra projectable at 6-foot-7 and 215 pounds. He throws his hard-breaking curveball at 78-80 mph, an indication that he has plenty of arm speed and that more fastball velocity should be in his future. His delivery is sound and he uses his big frame to pitch downhill. Because he barely pitched in 2005 and 2006, Huseby is less experienced than most 20-year-olds and still has much improvement to make with his changeup, control and command. He spent most of the summer shooting for strikeouts--and falling behind in counts--but did a better job of pitching to contact during instructional league. The Cubs believe he could be poised for a breakout this year in low Class A. -
Huseby had pitched for the U.S. youth national team and was establishing himself as an early-round prospect for the 2006 draft when he blew out his elbow as a high school junior in March 2005. After recovering from Tommy John surgery, the Auburn recruit pitched just a handful of innings last spring. But led by area scout Rolando Pino, the Cubs saw enough in his limited action and a workout to give him a $1.3 million bonus last June, a record for an 11th-rounder. Huseby has intimidating size and a chance for three plus pitches. He was throwing 90-95 mph 15 months removed from Tommy John surgery, and there's more projection remaining in his frame. He also has a power curveball and a promising changeup. He's athletic and has a sound delivery, so throwing strikes shouldn't be an issue. Because he has efficient mechanics and works hard at staying in shape, Chicago isn't worried about further arm problems. Like most pitchers coming back from elbow reconstruction, Huseby will need more time to build up his endurance and regain his feel for his secondary pitches. His changeup is promising but still in the developmental stages. The Cubs will do their best to take care of Huseby's valuable right arm. Rather than send him to the cold weather of the Midwest League in April, they'll probably keep him in extended spring training and ship him to Boise in June.
Minor League Top Prospects
-
Huseby had Tommy John surgery as a high school junior and barely pitched as a senior in 2006. The Cubs shockingly dropped $1.3 million to sign him after drafting him in the 11th round, then kept him on a short leash. He pitched just 17 innings in Rookie ball last summer and spent the first half of 2007 in extended spring training before reporting to the NWL, where he ranked sixth in ERA. His stuff was underwhelming, and Huseby's upside lies largely in his athleticism and projection at this stage. Huseby's fastball sat between 88-91 mph for most of the season and dipped to 86-88 down the stretch. His breaking ball was inconsistent, and he was working on sharpening a slider that looked better than the curveball he deployed as an amateur. Huseby showed average control and below-average command overall. He has much better feel for his fastball than he does for his secondary pitches, which include a changeup. His delivery and arm action are sound, and allow him to pitch downhill from his 6-foot-7 frame.
