Mike MacDougal
| IP | 394 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.997 |
| WHIP | 1.546 |
| BB/9 | 4.843 |
| SO/9 | 7.424 |
- Full name Robert Meiklejohn MacDougal
- Born 03/05/1977 in Las Vegas, NV
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: S / Throws: R
- School Wake Forest
- Debut 09/22/2001
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Drafted in the 1st round (25th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 1999 (signed for $1,150,000).
View Draft Report
SS Vaughn Schill wilted under the pressure of trying to carry a disappointing Duke team. He struggled early when a lot of national crosscheckers saw him, then improved as the season wore on. While he makes all the plays demanded of a high-profile shortstop, some scouts believe he'll eventually move to second or third. He demonstrated good power with wood on the Cape last summer.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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MacDougal's 2001 major league debut ended after he sustained a skull fracture when struck in the head by Carlos Beltran's bat during a game. He lost the feeling in his right arm for a time, and still has occasional numbness in his fingertips. This may have contributed to his control problems in 2002, when he was shut down for six weeks. MacDougal pumps his fastball into the mid-90s with plus life and was clocked at 100 mph or better six times in winter ball in Puerto Rico, where he was also rated the league's top prospect. His darting slider is one of the nastiest in the system, and he has shown a feel for a curveball and changeup. Command is a major issue, though it was better over the winter, and learning to harness his electric arsenal has been tough. His inability to repeat his delivery is the main problem, and the life on his pitches makes it even harder. But after MacDougal's winter assignment, he's ready to compete for the big league closer's job -
Though MacDougal had just two starts above high Class A entering 2001, Kansas City rushed him to Triple-A. He wasn't ready, as evidenced by his 1-6, 7.02 record through mid-June. He rebounded in the second half, going 7-2, 3.43 to earn his first big league callup. That stint ended when he was struck by a bat in the dugout during a game, fracturing his skull. MacDougal's stuff is better than any pitcher the Royals have, including the major leaguers and Colt Griffin. He throws in the mid-90s with ease, and his fastball dives so much that he can't always throw it for strikes. His slider is the nastiest breaking pitch in the system. His changeup was much improved in the latter half of last season. His pitches are so electric that MacDougal has had difficulty directing them over the plate. He gets behind in counts and gives up more hits and walks than someone with his arsenal should. MacDougal started putting everything together late last summer, so it wouldn't be any surprise if he opened 2002 in Kansas City's rotation. He has no lingering effects from the skull fracture. -
Eligible for the 1998 draft as a college sophomore, MacDougal projected as a first-round pick before the season. But he came down with mononucleosis and slid to the 17th round. He returned for his junior year, then went in the first round with a compensation pick the Red Sox surrendered to sign free agent Jose Offerman. MacDougal has the best stuff in the organization, including the major leagues. He can touch 99 mph and throw 96 with ease, and he's best at 93-94 mph because then his fastball just dives at the plate. His slider and changeup also are above-average pitches when he throws them for strikes. He has allowed just eight homers in 203 pro innings. MacDougal has so much life on his pitches that it's difficult to control them. He needs to more consistently throw his fastball on the corners and his secondary pitches for strikes. After a brief taste of Double-A at the end of 2000, MacDougal will return there to begin 2001. As soon as he learns to harness his pitches, he'll get the call to Kansas City.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Those who watched MacDougal pitch this season marveled at his fastball. It was considered the best in the league, mainly because it has so much life. It doesn’t hurt that he can throw it in the mid-90s, either. "He's got the best sink and movement on his fastball of any pitcher in the league," Garber said. "He's got the velocity of a power pitcher and the sink of a sinkerball pitcher." This season MacDougal showed better command of all his pitches, including a curve and changeup. But MacDougal's rapid journey through the Royals organization, which took him to Double-A in August, ultimately will be traced to his fastball. -
MacDougal, who has been compared to Jack McDowell physically, dropped to the late first round based on his somewhat violent delivery. According to Royals farm director Bob Hegman, MacDougal's mechanics are much smoother now, and he has toned down a control-damaging head jerk. When he's on, MacDougal's stuff can be electric, with a mid-90s fastball with plus life and a hard-breaking curveball. He still must work on polishing his changeup and locating his pitches better within the strike zone.
Top 100 Rankings
Best Tools List
- Rated Best Fastball in the Kansas City Royals in 2001
Scouting Reports
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Those who watched MacDougal pitch this season marveled at his fastball. It was considered the best in the league, mainly because it has so much life. It doesn’t hurt that he can throw it in the mid-90s, either. "He's got the best sink and movement on his fastball of any pitcher in the league," Garber said. "He's got the velocity of a power pitcher and the sink of a sinkerball pitcher." This season MacDougal showed better command of all his pitches, including a curve and changeup. But MacDougal's rapid journey through the Royals organization, which took him to Double-A in August, ultimately will be traced to his fastball.
