Chris Capuano

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #15 prospect in 2004
  Trading Richie Sexson was an unpopular move, but the Brewers did deepen their stock of lefthanders by picking up Jorge de la Rosa and Capuano in the nine-player deal. Capuano missed most of the 2002 season following Tommy John surgery, but he returned to spring training just nine months later, befitting his tough-as-nails mentality. He made his major league debut with a scoreless 10th inning against the Braves in early May before returning to Triple-A, where he posted the best ERA of any Pacific Coast League lefthander. He topped out at 94 mph before surgery and pitched more in the 87-89 range in 2003, peaking at 91. Power pitching was never his forte, anyway. He succeeds by commanding the strike zone vertically and horizontally with his entire repertoire, led by a slurvy, looping breaking ball. Capuano showed an improved feel for his changeup last year, and uses a cutter the second or third time through an order. His must gain better control of his mechanics, as he tends to drop his arm and sling the ball toward the plate. Capuano profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter and could win that job out of spring training.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #16 prospect in 2002
  The Diamondbacks drafted Capuano in 1999 with the understanding he would not begin his professional career until he completed his degree at Duke. He made his debut in the summer of 2000 and overmatched low Class A hitters with his array of polished pitches. Last year, he jumped to Double-A, where the Texas League's smaller ballparks provided a challenge. He rebounded from a 2-7, 7.31 start with back-to-back shutouts as part of an 8-4, 4.21 finish. He finished second in the TL in strikeouts but also led the league in walks. Capuano throws an 89-92 fastball effectively to both sides of the plate. Managers rated his sharp, sweeping slider the best breaking pitch in the TL, and he also has an average changeup. Capuano hides his arm well in his delivery, providing deception that causes hitters to swing and miss frequently at pitches in and out of the zone. He needs to develop an effective pitch to combat righthanders, who hit .302 against him in 2001. He's inconsistent with his slider, though scouts say a simple adjustment would make it a strikeout pitch. As his hefty walk numbers illustrate, he also still needs work on his command. Capuano was generally more effective the first time through the lineup and was tough on lefties, leading some scouts to project him more as a middle reliever or swingman down the road. He's ticketed for Triple- A in 2002.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #8 prospect in 2001
  The Diamondbacks respected Capuano's commitment to academics by letting him complete his degree at Duke after he signed as a junior in 1999. They assigned him to extended spring training after he graduated last year, then sent him to Class A South Bend, where he was dazzling. He shared the organization's pitcher-of-the-month award for July, then won it outright in August. The Diamondbacks believe they might have found a late bloomer in Capuano, who now can devote all his time to baseball. He went 10-4 on a 60-78 South Bend team thanks to his great mound presence. His best pitch is his curveball, and he has a 90 mph fastball, good velocity for a lefthander. His delivery is reminiscent of former big leaguer Danny Jackson's. Capuano can refine his control, but his biggest need is experience. He spent time in instructional league and the Arizona Fall League after the season. He's 22 and doesn't have overpowering stuff, so he might be as good as he's going to get. Still, the Diamondbacks are anxious to see what he can do in a full professional season. With lefthanded starters at a premium, the Diamondbacks might have found themselves a jewel if Capuano can improve his command by devoting more time to baseball.