Mike Bynum

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #14 prospect in 2003
  Bynum was one of the system's top lefties before a disastrous 2001, then regained his standing and made his major league debut last season. Bynum hurt his right knee in spring training 2001, but didn't tell anyone and tried to pitch through the injury. He wound up altering his mechanics, pitching poorly and requiring arthroscopic surgery. When he returned in spring training last year, Bynum tried to do too much too soon and strained an elbow ligament. He didn't see any game action until June, but reached San Diego two months later. He made three decent starts followed by nine scoreless relief appearances for the Padres, then got shellacked in his final two outings. His trademark pitch is still his slider, which mangers rated the best breaking ball in the Double-A Southern League. He has a plus changeup that he's starting to use more often, and his fastball runs from 86-90 mph. The key for Bynum is to locate his pitches, especially his fastball, and maintain his delivery. His slider is most effective when he gets hitters down in the count. Bynum's ceiling doesn't appear as high as it was when he reached Double-A in his first full pro season, so his long-term fit in San Diego probably will be in the bullpen.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #14 prospect in 2002
  Bynum injured a knee during spring-training drills last year, and compounded the problem by trying to pitch through it instead of telling the Padres. He never looked like the pitcher who rocketed to Double-A by the end of his first full season. He spent all of June on the disabled list, returned and got shelled in July, then had season-ending arthroscopic surgery. Previously, Bynum had carved up hitters with a slider that drew comparisons to that of Hall of Famer Steve Carlton. His fastball was very average at 89-90 mph, and commanding it on a consistent basis was all that stood between Bynum and the major leagues. He also has a changeup that he should use more often. Bynum is expected to be 100 percent by spring training and will return to Double-A in 2002.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #4 prospect in 2001
  After being overshadowed by Kyle Snyder (the seventh overall pick in the 1999 draft) at North Carolina, Bynum burst into the spotlight by pitching 27 scoreless innings to start his pro career. He hasn't slowed down must since, reaching Double-A in his season and a half as a pro. He was rated the best lefty pitching prospect in the high Class A California League and pitched a scoreless inning in the Futures Game last year. Bynum's best pitch is a slider that has been compared to Hall of Famer Steve Carlton's. He changed his grip on it as a college junior, increasing its break. Lefthanders have little chance against him, hitting .170 with no homers in 123 at-bats last year. He's an intelligent, composed pitcher who has the ability to read a batter's swing and make adjustments. Bynum's fastball and changeup aren't nearly as dominating as his slider. He has average velocity at 89-90 mph but admitted he was disappointed with his fastball command in 2000. He doesn't throw his changeup as much as he should. As he moves to higher levels, he'll need a full repertoire. Scott Karl is the only lefthander with a chance to make the big league rotation this year, so the Padres are looking forward to the day when Bynum will be ready to join them. He could go to Triple-A if he has a strong spring, though a brief return to Double-A is also a possibility.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked California League #4 prospect in 2000
  Bynum was the Cal League’s most poised and polished pitcher. He has a devastating slider and good control for a lefthander. "He has the awareness, the ability to read swings and know what each guy wants to do against him," Rancho Cucamonga manager Tom LeVasseur said. "Character and composure are the big issues with him. He's pitched in several games and wants to be out there for nine innings every time he pitches. He's not scared of anything that develops out there." After his infrequent rough starts, Bynum often complained that he couldn’t command his fastball. His velocity didn’t raise eyebrows, though LeVasseur said he believes that's a result of Bynum's hatred of walks. "His fastball was erratic at times and when you're trying to locate, you take stuff off in order to get your location back," LeVasseur said. "By the time he's up there, he'll have a major league fastball. With the way he locates his other pitches, though, he may not ever need it."
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  Ranked Pioneer League #2 prospect in 1999
  Two managers specifically compared Bynum to Steve Carlton. This despite Bynum throwing only 17 innings for Idaho Falls (all scoreless) before being promoted to the Class A California League. Bynum ran his scoreless streak to 27 innings in the Cal League and finished 3-1 with 44 strikeouts in 38 innings. Bynum's out pitch, like Carlton's, is a nasty slider. The North Carolina alum throws his fastball in the 89-92 mph range with late explosive life and also throws a good straight changeup. Bynum battled control problems occasionally in college but walked just 12 in 55 innings after signing.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #58 prospect in 2001

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Bynum was the Cal League’s most poised and polished pitcher. He has a devastating slider and good control for a lefthander. "He has the awareness, the ability to read swings and know what each guy wants to do against him," Rancho Cucamonga manager Tom LeVasseur said. "Character and composure are the big issues with him. He's pitched in several games and wants to be out there for nine innings every time he pitches. He's not scared of anything that develops out there." After his infrequent rough starts, Bynum often complained that he couldn’t command his fastball. His velocity didn’t raise eyebrows, though LeVasseur said he believes that's a result of Bynum's hatred of walks. "His fastball was erratic at times and when you're trying to locate, you take stuff off in order to get your location back," LeVasseur said. "By the time he's up there, he'll have a major league fastball. With the way he locates his other pitches, though, he may not ever need it."