Jesus Colome

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #4 prospect in 2002
  Acquired from the Athletics in a July 2000 trade for two relievers, Colome bounced between Triple-A Durham and the major leagues last year. While he struggled in 13 International League outings, he was one of Tampa Bay's more consistent relievers, limiting hitters to a .208 average. Colome's fastball touches triple digits and has above-average movement. He has an easy throwing motion that reminds scouts of Mariano Rivera. His slider is effective against righthanders, and big league lefties batted just .186 against him. The Rays were impressed with the way Colome increased his intensity with runners in scoring position. Colome needs more consistency with his pitches and better overall command. His changeup comes and goes, causing him to lose confidence in it and allowing hitters to sit on his hard stuff. Colome could become an overpowering closer, though either Esteban Yan or Travis Phelps is expected to finish games for Tampa Bay in 2002. Just 21, Colome needs to establish himself as a situational reliever before he can be trusted in save situations.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #5 prospect in 2001
  The Devil Rays think they hit the lottery last July 28 when they got Colome from Oakland for relievers Jim Mecir and Todd Belitz. Colome posted a 3.59 ERA at one of the more favorable hitters' parks around, Double-A Midland's Christensen Stadium. The Devil Rays shut him down after he had forearm soreness near the end of the season, though he returned in time to participate in instructional league. Colome is a dominating pitcher whose fastball has been clocked as high as 100 mph. When he's in a groove, that pitch can be unhittable. He also throws a hard slider that can be particularly difficult for righthanders to hit. Colome will be a candidate for the major leagues as soon as he improves his changeup. While his velocity is impressive, Colome's fastball is relatively straight. He also tends to get sloppy with his mechanics as he tires during games. The Devil Rays see Colome moving rapidly. He should be a starter at Durham in 2001, though many scouts see him becoming a potential Mariano Rivera should he shift to the bullpen.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Texas League #7 prospect in 2000
  Colome may have had the best pure arm in the Athletics organization. That made the decision to use him in a July trade for Devil Rays relievers Todd Belitz and Jim Mecir all the more difficult. Colome held his own in Double-A despite being a teenager when the season began. His repertoire is anchored by a blazing fastball with plenty of movement. He has reached 100 mph, and his slider has been clocked in the low 90s. He’s unhittable when he's on. "When Colome gets a rhythm going he just lights up guns with high readings," a scout said. "He'll also throw a breaking pitch at 90 mph or so and it just paralyzes batters." Colome has been used as a starter in the minors but projects as a closer at the major league level.
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  Ranked California League #6 prospect in 1999
  Last year's No. 1 prospect from the Rookie-level Arizona League closed the Cal League season with a stirring run of five consecutive wins that included a 32-inning stretch of 29 strikeouts, nine walks and a 1.74 ERA. Colome's fastball has reached the high 90s, and he gave up just six homers all season. He added a two-seam fastball after league hitters handled his four-seamer. The A's are grooming him as a closer of the future, partly out of consideratoin of his slight build. "If he keeps learning and stays healthy, he won't just be a big league pitcher," Modesto manager Bob Geren said. "He'll be an all-star." Colome was devoting more time to his changeup and slider, and in an effort to refine his somewhat unorthodox delivery, was scheduled to attend instructional league.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #69 prospect in 2001
• Ranked Baseball America's #53 prospect in 2000

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Colome may have had the best pure arm in the Athletics organization. That made the decision to use him in a July trade for Devil Rays relievers Todd Belitz and Jim Mecir all the more difficult. Colome held his own in Double-A despite being a teenager when the season began. His repertoire is anchored by a blazing fastball with plenty of movement. He has reached 100 mph, and his slider has been clocked in the low 90s. He’s unhittable when he's on. "When Colome gets a rhythm going he just lights up guns with high readings," a scout said. "He'll also throw a breaking pitch at 90 mph or so and it just paralyzes batters." Colome has been used as a starter in the minors but projects as a closer at the major league level.