J.J. Putz

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #17 prospect in 2004
  Putz had been a full-time starter in his three full seasons as a pro, but he was so impressive in relief last spring that he might have made the Mariners if he had more bullpen experience. They sent him back to Triple-A, and he got his first big league promotion in August. Putz showed promise as a starter, projecting as a workhorse with his strong frame and average four-pitch repertoire. His stuff works much better out of the bullpen, however. His low-90s fastball became an explosive 93-97 mph heater, and his curveball went from ordinary to a plus pitch that now falls off the table. He also has a slider and a changeup from his days in the rotation. Moved from middle relief to a late-inning role at midseason, Putz had nine saves and a 0.90 ERA in his final two months in Triple-A. His control improved after that change as well. He has an effortless, easy delivery with deception to it. The Mariners might have been tempted to let him compete for a starting job had they non-tendered Freddy Garcia. Putz instead will be a leading candidate to claim a spot in the bullpen this spring, with his chances enhanced by Kazuhiro Sasaki's decision to stay home in Japan.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #20 prospect in 2003
  Putz had shoulder problems in 2002, though they were less serious than those of Ryan Anderson and Jeff Heaverlo. Putz missed the first three weeks of the season while recovering from tendinitis in extended spring training, and skipped the Arizona Fall League because his shoulder bothered him again. He didn't require surgery. Putz' 5-14 record last year was misleading, as he allowed three earned runs or less in 19 of his 24 starts. He had 14 quality starts but only a 4-5 record to show for those outings. Putz has a thick, strong frame and an easy arm action that allows him to maintain low-90s velocity on his fastball throughout a game. He also has a slider, which he needs to throw for strikes more consistently, and a changeup, which still requires some improvement. He'll probably open the year in Triple-A but could get a call to Seattle if reinforcements are needed early in the season. Putz projects as a back-of-the-rotation starter or a middle reliever.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #16 prospect in 2002
  A White Sox third-round pick out of high school in 1995, Putz chose the University of Michigan over signing. He underachieved for the Wolverines for three years before rebounding late in his senior year to go in the sixth round of the 1999 draft, and signing for only $10,000. Putz pitched a seven-inning no-hitter in low Class A in 2000, then really made an impression last year in spring training. He reported early and got into some split-squad games, and some scouts thought he could have made the big club. The Mariners settled for skipping him a level and sending him to Double-A, and the move rattled his confidence early on. Putz got himself together down the stretch, going 6-3, 2.71 in his final 13 outings to earn a spot on the Mariners 40-man roster. His two best pitches are a low-90s fastball and an average slider. He has a terrific pitcher's body and is strong and durable. Putz still needs some minor league innings to improve his changeup and command, and he'll get them this year in Triple-A.