Lenny DiNardo

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #23 prospect in 2006
  DiNardo's career has ridden a roller coaster, and it may be about to stop in Boston. As a sophomore in 2000, he went 21-1 between Stetson and Team USA, establishing himself as a possible first-round pick for the following draft. But his fastball dropped from the high 80s to the mid-80s in 2001, and he fell to the Mets in the third round. The Red Sox took him in the major league Rule 5 draft after the 2003 season and retained him by keeping him on the big league roster throughout 2004 (thanks in part to some creative disabled-list time with a shoulder strain and blister). DiNardo's fastball has remained at 84-86 mph but he has advanced because he can't throw it straight. It has natural cutting action, and he can turn over his fastball to achieve some sink. Though he can't light up radar guns, he doesn't hesitate to pitch inside. He also isn't afraid to throw strikes, either. DiNardo has a changeup that he uses to keep righthanders honest, and he can vary the speed of his curveball. He spent most of 2005 as a starter in Triple-A, where his 3.15 ERA would have ranked second in the International League if he hadn't just missed qualifying. DiNardo is 26 and he's far from a sexy prospect, but he has pitched creditably in the majors over the last two seasons, and the Red Sox don't have a better lefty option for their bullpen.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #31 prospect in 2004
  The Red Sox spent most of the winter trolling for a second lefthanded reliever to pitch behind Alan Embree in their big league bullpen. They added six southpaw options, including Dinardo via the major league Rule 5 draft in December. His career has ridden a roller coaster over the last four years. In 2000, he went 21-1 between Stetson and Team USA, establishing himself as a possible first-round pick for 2001. But that year his velocity dipped from the high 80s to the mid-80s, dropping him to the third round. He had a solid pro debut that summer, struggled in his first full pro season in 2002, then had a big 2003. Between high Class A and Double-A, he limited opponents to a .219 average and four homers while posting a 129-27 strikeout-walk ratio in 125 innings. Dinardo continued to show fine control in the Arizona Fall League, with 27 whiffs and three walks in 18 innings, though he was hit harder. His numbers are more impressive than his stuff. Dinardo's fastball sits at 82-83 mph and he usually goes after hitters with cutter after cutter. His changeup is his best pitch, but he doesn't throw it enough and it doesn't have enough separation from his fastball. He needs to turn his two-seam fastball, curveball or changeup into a reliable second pitch. Because he's so cutter-happy, he's much more effective against righties than lefties. Dinardo locates his pitches well and isn't afraid to bust hitters inside despite his lack of velocity. He has a chance to become a big league middle reliever, but he's unlikely to make the Red Sox out of spring training. If he doesn't stick on the 25-man roster, Boston will have to put him through waivers and offer him back to the Mets for half his $50,000 draft price before being allowed to send Dinardo to the minors.
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  Ranked New York Mets #20 prospect in 2002
  Based on his performance in 2000, when he went 21-1 between Stetson and Team USA, DiNardo looked like a first-round pick in the 2001 draft. Then his stock slipped as a junior, when his velocity dropped from the low 90s to the mid-80s. After the Mets took him in the third round, he showed an increase in arm strength during his stay in the New York-Penn League. His fastball has above-average movement, and he also throws a solid changeup and decent slider. DiNardo has a thorough understanding of how to pitch and sets up hitters by using all of his pitches, which should allow him to adapt to pro ball without too much difficulty. The Mets also like DiNardo's competitiveness and his desire to go deep into games. Some scouts wonder if his stuff is good enough to succeed at higher levels, and he needs to use his height to pitch on a downward plane and keep the ball down in the strike zone. When his pitches stay up, he doesn't have enough pure stuff to avoid getting clobbered. New York officials are confident DiNardo has the overall package to reach the majors.