Chris Balcom-Miller Stats & Scouting Report

IP	400
ERA	3.533
WHIP	1.23
BB/9	2.97
SO/9	8.37

Full name Christopher James Balcom-Miller
Born 03/03/1989 in San Jose, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School West Valley College
Drafted in the 6th round (181st overall) by the Colorado Rockies in 2009 (signed for $125,000).

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Drafted by the Royals in the 35th round in 2008, Balcom-Miller has an impressive frame and excellent stuff. His low-90s fastball and plus changeup enabled him to strike out 106 batters in 83 innings in 2009. His slider regressed as his changeup took charge, but he has shown the ability to spin one in the past. A Lewis-Clark State signee, his fine season may entice a ballclub to draw him away from his college commitment.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Mostly a shortstop in high school, Balcom-Miller opted to focus on pitching at West Valley (Calif.) JC. The Red Sox nearly drafted him in 2009, but the Rockies beat them to him in the sixth round. Boston finally landed him last August, getting him in a trade for Manny Delcarmen. Balcom-Miller has enjoyed success in his brief pro career, winning Rookie-level Pioneer League pitcher of the year honors in his debut and ranking third in the South Atlantic League in baserunners per nine innings (1.07) and strikeout-walk ratio (6.3) in 2010. He can't overpower hitters but he can put his pitches wherever he wants. He runs his fastball from 89-93 mph, and it's more notable for its sink and command than velocity. His slider and changeup are average complementary pitches, though he needs to use his changeup more often. His delivery is less than smooth, but it adds deception and doesn't stop him from filling the strike zone. While his ceiling is as a No. 4 or 5 starter, his advanced pitchability gives him a good chance to reach it. He'll move up the ladder to high Class A in 2011.
Primarily a shortstop in high school, Balcom-Miller felt he had a future on the mound so he decided to focus on pitching. The Royals made him a 35th-round draft choice after his freshman year at West Valley (Calif.) JC, and he turned them down to return for his sophomore season. The gamble paid off when the Rockies picked him in the sixth round last June and signed him for $125,000. He debuted at Rookie-level Casper and went 4-0, 1.58 to win Pioneer League pitcher of the year honors. Returning to West Valley allowed Balcom-Miller to add velocity to his fastball, which is now a solid 89-91 mph pitch that hits 93 and shows good sink. The extra year in junior college also gave him time to develop an average changeup and refine a slider that has become his best pitch. His herky-jerky motion helps with his deception, and he has a bulldog approach. Balcom-Miller throws strikes, but he needs better command within the strike zone to consistently get outs as he moves to higher levels. He should jump to low Class A this year and has the ceiling of a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter.

Minor League Top Prospects

The league's pitcher of the year, Balcom-Miller drew a comparison with Jason Marquis for his athleticism, repertoire and bulldog mentality. As with Marquis, his key to success is a plus two-seam fastball that ranges form 89-93 mph and features plus sink and armside run. His herky-jerky delivery provides natural deception, and his two-seamer generates a lot of awkward swings and plenty of grounders. Balcom-Miller shows advanced command and feel for pitching and is aggressive with his fastball, consistently working ahead of batters. His slider also rates as a plus pitch and gives him a weapon for the left side of the plate. His changeup was a fringe-average in his debut and it could be the separator between a career as a back-of-the-rotation starter or a quality reliever.