Kyle Lohse

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #16 prospect in 2001
  No one in the organization is giving up on Lohse, even after he put up ghastly numbers for New Britain. A year earlier, he was Twins' No. 7 prospect because of a hard slider, 90 mph fastball and solid changeup. He won 10 games in 1999 but showed a sign of things to come when he got rocked at New Britain. His troubles in his first full Eastern League season were attributed to his inability to locate his pitches. He threw the ball down the middle too much, especially for a righthander without a blazing fastball. His breaking stuff held up a little better, but he and the Rock Cats (who finished the season with 17 straight losses) would like to forget 2000. He did finish on a strong note, however, posting a 1.80 ERA with 35 strikeouts in as many innings in the Arizona Fall League.
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #6 prospect in 1999
  Background: Another Cubs draft-and-follow, Lohse paid off as he added 5-6 mph on his fastball as a freshman at Butte (Calif.) Junior College. In 1998, he ranked first among minor league teenagers in wins and innings pitched. Strengths: Lohse is a bulldog competitor who challenges hitters well, especially for a young pitcher from a small school. His best pitch is his slider, which he complements with a solid-average fastball and a straight change. He also has shown the potential to have above-average command of his pitches. Weaknesses: Lohse has a mature body, three solid pitches and an advanced approach to pitching. His main challenge will be to stay healthy while he refines his command and changeup. The Future: While Lohse's performance wasn't a total surprise last season, he still created quite a stir within the organization. Because of Lohse's age, the Cubs will have the luxury of advancing him one step at a time through the system.