Scott Oberg

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #23 prospect in 2015
  Tommy John surgery caused Oberg to miss his junior year at Connecticut, but he returned as a redshirt junior in 2012, recorded nine saves and was drafted by the Rockies in the 15th round. With a competitive edge and high level of aggressiveness, he has a closer's mentality and has converted 61 of 68 professional save opportunities. The Rockies would have called him up last season to help their leaky bullpen, but right shoulder soreness ended his season in August. Oberg throws a 93-96 mph fastball for strikes, but he needs to refine his command. He also owns a power curveball and an improved changeup. He has worked on a slider, throwing it well in warmups--but not in games. His slider would give him a pitch to open up both sides of the zone, while also providing more of a command breaking pitch, which would allay concerns that his sharp curveball might not be called for strikes in the big leagues. Oberg had what was termed minor shoulder surgery on Aug. 28 but is expected to be ready for spring training. If healthy, he would probably open the season at Triple-A but could contribute in the big leagues in 2015.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #13 prospect in 2014
  Oberg had Tommy John surgery in college and missed his junior year at Connecticut, but he returned to record nine saves in 2012, prompting the Rockies to make him a 15th-round pick. He began his pro career as closer at Rookie-level Grand Junction, then jumped to high Class A Modesto in 2013 and led the California League with 33 saves. Oberg throws a fastball, curveball and changeup, using an aggressive, fearless temperament that is ideal for a closer. He sits 94-95 mph with his fastball but has below-average command of the pitch, a reason his 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings were offset by 4.6 walks in 2013. His plus curveball is a put-away pitch, and it's a hard breaking ball with true 12-to-6 action. Oberg also throws an above-average changeup that he used more in the second half of 2013. He has the weapons to combat lefthanders, who batted .190 against him. Oberg will begin 2014 at Double-A Tulsa and could move quickly, particularly if he refines his fastball command.
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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #32 prospect in 2013
  After missing all of 2011 following Tommy John surgery, Oberg returned to go 5-0, 0.99 with nine saves in 22 games at Connecticut last spring. The first Huskies pitcher to post a sub-1.00 ERA since 1976, he signed for $85,000 as a redshirt junior in the 15th round. He made the Rookie-level Pioneer League all-star team in his pro debut, leading the circuit with 13 saves. Oberg is fearless, with an icy demeanor on the mound. He throws strikes and gets a lot of groundballs. His fastball sits in the low 90s and reaches 95 mph, boring in on righthanders. His curveball is a strikeout pitch with 12-to-6 break. The Rockies had him focus on his changeup in instructional league, where he improved his feel for the pitch and was able to throw it to righthanders and when behind in the count. A potential set-up man, Oberg will move up to low Class A this year.