Chad Gaudin
| IP | 836 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.446 |
| WHIP | 1.484 |
| BB/9 | 4.112 |
| SO/9 | 7.245 |
- Full name Chad Edward Gaudin
- Born 03/24/1983 in New Orleans, LA
- Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Crescent City Christian School
- Debut 08/01/2003
- Drafted in the 34th round (1,009th overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2001.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Gaudin had a whirlwind season, starting at high Class A Bakersfield. Promoted to Double-A in mid-July, he tossed a perfect game in his first start and was in Tampa Bay by August. He was more aggressive pitching in relief, posting a 3.16 ERA in that role for the Rays. Gaudin shows no fear on the mound. He goes right after hitters and is willing to throw his cutting slider at any time in the count. Hitters have difficulty picking up the spin on his slider. His fastball has excellent movement, including good sinking action that runs away from righthanders. His changeup is average. Gaudin doesn't have ideal size and doesn't generate much downhill plane on his pitches. He is primarily a two-pitch pitcher, though he can vary speeds from 86-92 mph. He was more tentative and struggled with his command in his three big league starts. Based on his performance and the team's needs, Gaudin could be a mainstay in the Tampa Bay bullpen this season. He projects as a middle reliever. -
After turning down a Louisiana State scholarship and tossing 38 innings without allowing an earned run during instructional league in 2001, Gaudin made his regular season debut in 2002 year and exceeded all expectations. He ranked 10th in the minors in ERA, limiting opponents to no more than one earned run in 16 of his 26 outings. Gaudin works quickly and goes right at hitters. His fastball sits at 92 mph, his curveball has a nice break, and his changeup is at least an average pitch. He also spots the ball well but needs more consistency in the strike zone. At 5-foot-11, Gaudin doesn't have great size for a righthander and is considered an overachiever. While his bulldog tenacity is a plus, he's hard on himself and needs to handle his emotions a little better. He is expected to start 2003 in high Class A at age 20.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Devil Rays scout Benny Latino found Gathright in the 32nd round and Gaudin in the 34th round of the 2001 draft. Like Dominguez, Gaudin went from obscurity to the big leagues by August, along the way firing a perfect game in his first Double-A start. Pretty impressive for a 5-foot-9 righthander with an average fastball. Gaudin compensates for a lack of overpowering stuff with moxie. He's very aggressive with his two-pitch attack. His fastball is regularly timed between 86 and 92 mph, though the sinking and running action make it a tough pitch to hit squarely. He has the confidence to throw his short, cutting slider in any count. "It didn't look like a real good slider," Meacham said, "but his slider doesn't look like a slider and that's why it's so good. You can't pick up the spin."
