Michael Main Stats & Scouting Report

AB	562
AVG	.254
OBP	.315
SLG	.315
HR	3

Full name Michael A. Main
Born 12/14/1988 in Deland, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 170 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Deland
Drafted in the 1st round (24th overall) by the Texas Rangers in 2007 (signed for $1,237,500).

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Baseball America's top 15-year-old in the nation in 2004, Main looked like a can't-miss prospect even before he could drive. Tendinitis in his rotator cuff cost him most of his junior season, but he recovered to lead DeLand High to the state final four and did so again this year. He has a lightning-quick arm that generates 97 mph heat, but more importantly he has learned how to pitch this spring. Even Main's jaw-dropping velocity wasn't enough to get outs when he got knocked around in a start at the Aflac Classic and other high-profile events last summer. This year, he has kept his fastball down in the zone, where it has lots of late movement. Main shows solid-average command presently, as well as the ability to spot this two-plane breaking ball where he wants it. His changeup has above-average run and sink. Main's slight build and lively repertoire make him comparable to Tim Hudson, but some teams see him as a safer pick as an outfielder. He's a 70 runner with good bat speed, and has even shown an ability to make contact from both sides of the plate. He's more likely to be drafted in the first round as a pitcher, however.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

Rated as the top 15-year-old player in the nation in 2004 by Baseball America, Main has established a reputation as an instructional league superstar who can't stay healthy during the season. Even before he was drafted, Main missed most of his junior year of high school with a rotator-cuff injury. He signed for $1,237,500 as the 24th overall pick in the 2007 draft, and a cracked rib derailed his first full pro season in 2008. He missed two months last year with mononucleosis that resulted in significant weight loss. He returned to Bakersfield in September and regained his weight by instructional league, when he showed a 92-94 mph fastball. In the past he has touched 96-97 mph and flashed a plus curveball and average changeup, but his breaking ball hasn't developed as hoped. It has morphed into more of a slider, and his command of it is inconsistent. Main has struggled to throw quality strikes with all his pitches, and he too frequently works from behind in the count. He's still a premium athlete with a quick arm and good makeup, but he needs to get stronger and stay healthy for a full season. He'll return to high Class A as a 21-year-old in 2010, and the Rangers hope he pitches his way to Frisco during the season.
The 24th overall pick in the 2007 draft, Main signed for $1,237,500. He felt discomfort in his side at the start of spring training in 2008, causing his arm slot to drop and his stuff to suffer, and an X-ray revealed a cracked rib that sidelined him until late June. He returned to pitch well in low Class A in the second half, then stood out in instructional league in the fall. When the Rangers introduced Main to an over-the-head windup to help generate more momentum, his velocity spiked to 92-96 mph in instructional league. He commands his fastball to both halves of the plate, and his tight downer curveball could give him a second plus offering in the future. He's a premium athlete who garnered pro interest as a center fielder, helping him repeat his delivery and throw strikes. He's intelligent and unflappable on the mound. Main still needs to add strength to his slight frame in order to improve his durability. He has good feel for his changeup, which should become an average pitch in time, but right now it lags behind his other two offerings. Main's electric arm could make him a frontline starter after a few years of development. He'll open 2009 with one of Texas' Class A affiliates.
Since he was named Baseball America's top 15-year-old prospect in 2004, Main has generated buzz for his lightning-quick arm and supreme athleticism. A number of clubs thought hard about drafting him as a center fielder, and the Rangers even let him DH for eight games in his debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League, where he batted .267. Main evokes Bret Saberhagen for his slight build, plus-plus arm strength, intelligence and determination. He pitches with minimal effort at 92-97 mph with a lively fastball, and he did a much better job keeping the pitch down in the zone in 2007 than he did in high school in 2006. Main's 75-78 mph downer curveball has tight rotation and good depth. It's an average pitch at times and could wind up better than that. He has good command for his age. He has plus-plus speed and the athleticism to field his position well. Main has the makings of an average changeup but needs to develop the pitch, which he used infrequently in high school. He also must get more consistent with his curveball. Added strength would improve his long-term durability. Main could wind up as a legitimate front-of-the-rotation starter in the big leagues. He figures to follow Kasey Kiker's development plan and start 2008 in extended spring training before going to low Class A around mid-May.