Darrell Rasner Stats & Scouting Report

IP	165
ERA	5.018
WHIP	1.461
BB/9	2.945
SO/9	5.073

Full name Darrell Wayne Rasner
Born 01/13/1981 in Carson City, NV
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Nevada-Reno
Debut 09/06/2005
Drafted in the 2nd round (46th overall) by the Washington Nationals in 2002 (signed for $800,000).

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Rasner's record at Nevada has fallen from 14-2 as a freshman, to 6-3 as a sophomore to 5-7 as a junior, yet his professional worth continues to rise. He now ranks as a late first-round or supplemental first-round pick, with the two Bay Area teams showing the greatest interest. He struggles at times with his command but has four pitches that work, including a fringe-average fastball. He throws at 88-90 mph and occasionally gets it up to 93. He also has an outstanding power curveball, which is impressive in the high altitude of Reno and even more so at sea level, though it lacks consistency. His other pitches are a slider and change.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Rasner impressed the Nationals with his composure and maturity in major league spring training camp, then put up another solid, consistent performance in his first full Double-A season to earn a September callup. Command is his forte, as he doesn't walk many batters and does a good job mixing his pitches. He has a clean arm action and compact, repeatable delivery. Though he still lacks a legitimate out pitch, Rasner works off his heavy 86-91 mph sinker. He threw a slider in college at Nevada, abandoned it in favor of a curveball in his first few pro seasons, then went back to the slider in the second half of last year. It became a better pitch for him than his inconsistent curve and changeup. Rasner still gives up too many hits and doesn't miss enough bats to be a top starter, but he could be ready for a No. 5 starter job or long-relief role for Washington in 2006.
As did Ryan Church, Rasner starred at Nevada, where he set records for career wins, strikeouts and innings. Minor shoulder tendinitis slowed him in 2003, his first full pro season, but he remained healthy in 2004 and turned a corner down the stretch. He allowed more than one earned run just once in his final 11 starts and did his best pitching yet in Double-A. Rasner has good control and induces plenty of grounders with his heavy 91-94 mph sinker. He commanded his solid-average curveball much better in 2004 than he had in the past. Rasner's circle changeup still needs plenty of work, and his curve could use more refinement. He lacks a true strikeout pitch and though he's around the plate with his pitches, he has been too hittable. Now that he's healthy, Rasner should advance rapidly through the system. He should return to Double-A to start 2005 and is line for a big league callup toward the end of the year. He doesn't offer a high ceiling but could become a solid fourth starter.
Drafted behind Everts in 2002, Rasner was off to a good start in his first full pro season before a minor case of shoulder tendinitis sidelined him for a month. He pitched well when he first came off the disabled list before wilting in August. He established several school records during his three-year career at Nevada. Rasner has a prototype pitcher's body with a broad upper torso and strong legs. He has a quick arm action from a three-quarters slot and gets good extension in his delivery. His 88-94 mph fastball features heavy sink and run. He complements it with an average to plus 75-76 mph curveball and an 82 mph circle changeup. When Rasner pumps his fastball up to 94 mph, it lacks the running action he gets when he throws in the high 80s. At times he'll get inside the ball, which also costs him movement. He needs to continue to improve his command of his curveball. Rasner will move up another step to high Class A in 2004. He could reach Double-A by midseason and the majors by the end of 2005.
After taking Clint Everts in the first round, the Expos focused on college players for the rest of the 2002 draft. Rasner set Nevada's single-season win mark with 14 as a freshman in 2000, and two years later he had claimed Wolf Pack career records for victories (28), strikeouts (302) and innings (341). After signing for $800,000, he allowed two runs or less in six of his 10 pro starts, including back-to-back one-hit outings. Rasner gets heavy sink and run on his 90-94 mph fastball. He complements it with an 84-85 mph slider with good tilt. He also throws a circle changeup and a downer curveball. Rasner is a physical pitcher. He has an athletic frame with a strong upper half and wide shoulders. His balanced delivery includes a quick arm action, plus good follow-through and extension. Rasner scuffles with his command because he has an inconsistent release point. When he keeps his front side closed, he's able to throw strikes with greater ease. Look for Rasner to jump on the fast track in 2003. With a good spring, he could open the season in high Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

Rasner went 14-2 as a freshman at Nevada, and while his record tailed off in his last two years of college, his stock as a prospect continued to rise. Scouts were enthralled with his workhorse frame (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) and power arsenal. "He used his height well, threw downhill with a hard 90-94 mph fastball, and did a good job of using a hard curveball in the zone or out," Aberdeen manager Johnny Almaraz said. "It was an 84-85 power breaking ball. You don't see many of these." In addition to his power-pitch knockout combo, Rasner throws a circle change with late drop and fade, and a sharp slider. His delivery is solid with a quick arm action and good extension out front. If he sharpens his command, he could jump on the fast track next year.