Tim Alderson Stats & Scouting Report

IP	790
ERA	4.215
WHIP	1.301
BB/9	2.484
SO/9	6.858

Full name Timothy Curtis Alderson
Born 11/03/1988 in Phoenix, AZ
Profile Ht.: 6'6" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Horizon
Drafted in the 1st round (22nd overall) by the San Francisco Giants in 2007 (signed for $1,290,000).

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Alderson has had a high profile for awhile, and he has handled pressure well throughout his career. He was on the mound when USA Baseball's junior national team lost to Korea in the gold-medal game of the World Junior Championship last September, but he thrived with the team, striking out 12 in eight innings without allowing an earned run. In mid-May, he threw a complete game to help Horizon High win the Arizona 5-A championship, as he allowed 13 hits in a 9-6 victory but still struck out 13. (It was the second state-title victory of his career, as he also went five innings for a victory as a sophomore.) Pitching exclusively out of the stretch, Alderson repeats his mechanics, and they allow him to fill up the strike zone, to the tune of a 34-inning streak without a walk this season. It's unheard-of command for a 6-foot-7 prep pitcher. In one May start, he threw 61 strikes out of 72 pitches. However, Alderson goes full tilt on pretty much every pitch, lands hard on his front leg and gets little extension in his delivery. Scouts are split on his future role, but most consider him a reliever even though he already has two plus pitches and throws both for strikes in routine fashion. Most contend he would not hold up physically or mechanically as a starter over 200 innings, yet his stuff is so good at present--90-92 mph fastball that touches 94, 78-80 mph curveball and the makings of an average changeup--that they hesitate to recommend changing what makes him so attractive now. His stuff and track record say

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The 22nd overall pick in the 2007 draft, Alderson signed with the Giants for $1.29 million. San Francisco included him in a trade for Freddie Sanchez last July. Some analysts wondered if Giants GM Brian Sabean overpaid because Alderson entered the season ranked at No. 45 on BA's Top 100 Prospects list, but his stuff and stock slipped during the year. Alderson is known for his control and command, though both deserted him at times after the trade. He throws two-seam and four-seam fastballs down in the strike zone. His curveball is an outstanding pitch at times, dropping off the table and tying up hitters. He didn't have any indications of arm trouble, but Alderson's fastball dipped from 88-92 mph to the high 80s last year, and his curveball wasn't as sharp. He still had success because he has a deceptive delivery, though the Pirates would like to smooth his mechanics out. He's reluctant to do so because he has had success throughout his career. At 21, Alderson will be one of the youngest pitchers in the Triple-A International League in 2010. The Pirates believe his post-trade struggles were a blip. If they're right, he should see Pittsburgh late in the season and eventually develop into a No. 3 starter.
Alderson's advanced command and hard curveball made him the 22nd overall pick and earned him a $1.29 million bonus in 2007. The Giants figured those attributes also prepared him for an aggressive assignment to high Class A in his first full pro season, and he responded by winning the California League ERA title at 2.79. He threw exclusively out of the stretch in high school, but had no problems repeating his delivery from the windup in San Jose. Alderson's curveball is the best in the organization and he works it off an 88-92 mph four-seam fastball with natural cut and late movement. He began throwing a two-seamer to get more grounders, though it's not like he needed to work on pitch efficiency. He's a smart competitor, often throwing curveballs in the first three innings of night games when the conditions were shadowy. He throws strikes and lives at the bottom of the zone. Alderson will develop into a frontline starter if he continues to make steady progress with his changeup. He doesn't have overwhelming velocity, though he still can get outs with his fastball. While he's athletic, like most gangly pitchers he doesn't field his position well. He could be a factor out of a major league bullpen right now, but the Giants have no plans to develop him as anything but a starter. He'll begin 2009 with Madison Bumgarner in Double-A and could finish the season in the big leagues.
Pitching exclusively from the stretch, Alderson was a two-time Arizona player of the year and helped Horizon High to a pair of state 5-A championships. He showed unbelievable command for a high school senior, let alone one who's 6-foot-7, issuing just four walks while striking out 111 in 73 innings. He was drafted 22nd overall and signed for $1.29 million. Alderson had the best command of any high school pitcher in recent memory. His fastball sits in the low 90s and tops out at 94 mph, and San Francisco projects that he'll throw harder. His low-80s curveball already ranks as the best in the system. He can change planes with it, taking some velocity off to achieve a bigger break. He had no problems throwing out of an easy windup in instructional league, and he repeated those mechanics well. Alderson's herky-jerky delivery leads to concerns about his durability as a starter. The Giants think he gets his body in a good position to throw and won't have any problem staying in a rotation. He's made progress with his rudimentary changeup. The Giants won't be afraid to push Alderson due to his uncanny command. Low Class A Augusta is the logical next step, but don't be surprised if Alderson opens 2008 at high Class A San Jose.

Minor League Top Prospects

The 22nd overall pick in the 2007 draft, Alderson skipped past low Class A in his first full season and led the Cal League with a 2.79 ERA as the ace of a strong San Jose staff. Alderson's best attribute is his impeccable command, which allowed him to dominate without overpowering stuff. He has a good idea of how to get hitters out, which allowed him to pile up innings even though San Francisco controlled his pitch counts. His fastball sits at 88-92 mph. It has nice sink, and he's aggressive and willing to work inside with it. His command also lets his curveball play up. His changeup is developing but showed flashes of being a solid pitch.