Aaron Heilman Stats & Scouting Report

IP	630
ERA	4.4
WHIP	1.362
BB/9	3.657
SO/9	7.829

Full name Aaron Michael Heilman
Born 11/12/1978 in Logansport, IN
Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Notre Dame
Debut 06/26/2003
Drafted in the 1st round (18th overall) by the New York Mets in 2001 (signed for $1,508,750).

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The 31st overall pick last June by the Twins, Heilman returned to repeat as Big East Conference pitcher of the year in a dominant senior campaign. He was 14-0 entering NCAA tournament play and led Notre Dame to its first-ever No. 1 ranking during the regular season. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound righthander, who led the nation in ERA as a freshman closer, has established himself as a workhorse over the last three years. While scouts don't project Heilman to add velocity to his fastball, he's one of the most polished hurlers available, with excellent command and stamina. His slider has become a dependable secondary pitch behind a 90-94 mph fastball with boring action. Last year he lacked an effective offering to combat lefties, so he has added a hard splitter with good downward bite while working on improving his changeup.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

A two-time first-round pick who spurned the Twins in 2000, Heilman has progressed rapidly since going 15-0, 1.74 as a senior at Notre Dame. He began his first full pro season at Double-A Binghamton and needed just three months to earn a promotion to Triple-A Norfolk----where he threw eight shutout innings in his first start. Heilman is an excellent competitor with good command and a loose three-quarters delivery. He throws a heavy 92-93 mph fastball that he keeps down in the strike zone. His strikeout pitch is a nasty splitter. His slider has a good downward slant when thrown properly. Heilman needs to become more consistent with his changeup, though he has made major strides with the pitch since signing. Better command of his splitter and more consistency with his potentially nasty slider would allow him to dominate more frequently. Heilman has the ingredients to be a quality No. 3 starter in the major leagues. He probably needs another half-season in Triple-A, but that could change with a strong showing in spring training.
After turning down the Twins' overtures as the 31st overall selection in the 2000 draft, Heilman returned to Notre Dame for his senior season. He helped the Fighting Irish to their first-ever No. 1 rank and the Big East Conference regular-season title by going 15-0, 1.74 with 12 complete games and three shutouts. He also completed his degree. Heilman signed six weeks after the Mets made him the 18th overall pick in June and lived up to his billing at Class A St. Lucie, posting a 3-1 strikeoutwalk ratio while holding opponents to a .190 average. He would have ranked high on Baseball America's Florida State League Top 10 Prospects list had he pitched enough innings to qualify. Heilman is a polished pitcher. Mature and focused, he works off his 91-94 mph fastball, which has incredible movement and bores in on righthanders. He also features a plus slider with excellent downward action, along with a decent changeup and splitter. His command is another positive, and he maintains control of all four of his offerings throughout the game with his improved stamina. Scouts love his 6-foot-5, 225-pound frame and his feisty approach with runners in scoring position. His three-quarters delivery is easy and fluid, reducing the stress on his arm, a key trait for a pitcher who will be counted upon to eat innings at higher levels. Heilman has all the makings of a potential workhorse who could be a solid No. 2 or No. 3 starter in the New York rotation. Despite his maturity, he has just seven starts and less than 40 professional innings. His secondary offerings, particularly his changeup, need more consistency. Most scouts don't believe his fastball will add any more velocity, so his 83-84 mph splitter must stay consistent in order for him to get experienced lefthanders out. He made strides with the pitch in college last spring. Heilman is ready to jump on the fast track to the big leagues. His desire to learn and improve impressed the Mets at St. Lucie and during instructional league. He's slated to open 2002 at Double-A Binghamton and could be a candidate for the New York rotation as soon as 2003.

Minor League Top Prospects

Heilman reached the cusp of the major leagues just a year after the Mets made him a first-round pick as a college senior. He spent just three months in Double-A before a July promotion to Norfolk. "He's got a good idea of what he wants to do on the mound," Norfolk manager Bobby Floyd said. "He's got good command, and he's consistent. It's only his first full season, and he's pitched in Triple-A, got a respectable ERA and competes in every game." Heilman is a very polished pitcher with a loose three-quarters delivery. He throws a heavy fastball with plenty of sink. It registers 92-93 mph on the radar gun, but managers described it as sneaky fast. He keeps most of his offerings down in the zone by virtue of his above-average command. He can throw any of his pitches, including a downward-biting slider, a changeup and a splitter, for strikes. His splitter showed a great deal of improvement, and it's his top choice to finish off hitters.
The 18th overall pick in the 2001 draft, Heilman reached Triple-A in little less than a year after he signed. He doesn't project as a staff ace, but he has more than enough stuff to be a solid No. 3 starter. "He has the best sinker I've seen in the league in years. He's a Kevin Brown type," one AL scout said. "He has plus command of his fastball and he has the potential for a nasty slider. He needs to get a consistent offspeed pitch and better command of his splitter." Heilman should be able to develop an effective changeup because he has made considerable strides with it during his short time as a pro. He needs to add some tilt to his slider, which may be tougher because he throws from a low arm slot.