Matt Belisle

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #28 prospect in 2005
  The Reds system is dotted with former Braves pitching prospects, none of whom has helped Cincinnati in the big leagues yet. Scouts hold out more hope for Belisle than Bubba Nelson, who was pummeled in the majors last year. Nelson can show better stuff, but Belisle competes much harder. A former prep phenom, Belisle has relied more on guile and command than stuff since rupturing a disc in his back and missing the 2001 season. His fastball sits in the 86-89 mph range. When he's at his best, his heater scrapes the low 90s and gets lots of groundballs because he stays tall in his delivery and throws downhill. Belisle's curveball and changeup are fringe-average, and he needs to be fine to succeed. One Reds official called him the organization's hardest worker and champions Belisle as a future fourth or fifth starter as he gets stronger and gains consistency with his sinker. Both Belisle and Nelson were protected on the 40-man roster and should return to Triple-A this year.
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  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #21 prospect in 2004
  Three years removed from back surgery that cost him the entire 2001 season, Belisle was acquired from the Braves in August. Once considered one of the brightest pitching prospects in the Atlanta system, Belisle hasn't been quite the same since the ruptured disc. Still, one scout calls him a lock to pitch in the majors as a No. 4 or 5 starter. Belisle is a hard worker with competitive makeup and three solid-average pitches and good command. No longer capable of cranking his fastball up to 94 mph, he fills the strike zone with an average 88-91 mph heater. His curveball is average and has depth, though he needs to develop more deception with the pitch. That would help him fare better against lefthanders, who batted .303 against him in the minors last year. Belisle's arm action is somewhat stiff, and Braves pitching coaches were working with him to shorten his arm swing in the back. Cincinnati's rotation is unsettled, so Belisle will get a long look in spring training.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #29 prospect in 2003
  Belisle had difficulty gaining any consistency last season, mainly because he missed all of 2001 after having surgery to repair a ruptured disc in his back. While he looked strong during instructional league in the fall of 2001, his rustiness was apparent as he tried to make the jump to Double-A after never pitching above low Class A previously. Belisle can be overpowering when his mechanics are in sync. His fastball registers in the low 90s and touches 95 mph. He also has good control of his changeup and curveball. Belisle is strong and athletic, but he looked a little stiff last year compared to the past. He struggled against lefthanders, who batted .282 against him. While he threw strikes with all his pitches, he couldn't locate them in the zone like he wanted. The Braves hope that with Belisle now a full year removed from back surgery, he'll get back to where he was before the injury. A return to Double-A is likely for Belisle to begin 2003.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #6 prospect in 2002
  Belisle made impressive progress in 2000 but ruptured a disc in his back during spring training that required surgery and forced him to miss all of 2001. He went through a rigorous rehab program and looked strong during instructional league, which led to an unexpected stint in the Arizona Fall League. Belisle isn't unlike righthander Brett Evert in that he has a strong, athletic body that could allow him to eat a lot of innings at higher levels. He's tenacious and won't give in to hitters in any situation. Belisle throws a lowto mid-90s fastball along with a changeup and breaking ball. He has excellent command of all three pitches. Anytime a player misses an entire season, there is reason for concern. The Braves believe Belisle made up for some lost time during the fall, but they will be looking for him to stay healthy for the entire 2002 season in order to get closer to the big leagues. Belisle had his sights set on Greenville before hurting his back. He'll have the opportunity to reach that destination once again this spring and appears ready to get back on the fast track to the majors.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #4 prospect in 2001
  The Braves' first pick in 1998, Belisle signed for $1.75 million, still a club record and the largest bonus given a high school pitcher that year. After limited success in the Appalachian League in 1999, he was tabbed as the best pitching prospect in the South Atlantic League last summer. He received a midseason promotion to the Carolina League and pitched well in August. Belisle has outstanding arm strength and the ability to be a top starter. After a rough start, he proved he can make adjustments against better hitters. He has impeccable makeup and a strong inner drive with a desire to learn everything possible about pitching. Belisle needs to improve the command of his curveball and changeup. His curve is on the verge of becoming a solid pitch, but his changeup needs work. He also must be a little more patient, setting hitters up instead of trying to strike out everyone. Belisle could follow in McClendon's footsteps by starting 2001 at Myrtle Beach before moving up to Double-A. If he picks up where he left off in instructional league, he'll open in Greenville.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked South Atlantic League #9 prospect in 2000
  Most SAL managers and scouts thought Belisle stood out the most on a Macon pitching staff with three Killer B’s prospects: Belisle, Matt Butler and Jung Bong. A big guy with a frame able to stand more bulk, Belisle was able to spot his sinking fastball on both sides of the plate while dropping in good breaking balls for strikes. Managers chose him as the SAL’s best control pitcher in a midseason survey, and also praised his composure and consistency. Belisle moved up to the high Class A Carolina League shortly after midseason and continued to throw strikes. He finished the year with a combined 168-29 strikeout-walk ratio in 181 innings.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #96 prospect in 2002
• Ranked Baseball America's #28 prospect in 2001

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Most SAL managers and scouts thought Belisle stood out the most on a Macon pitching staff with three Killer B’s prospects: Belisle, Matt Butler and Jung Bong. A big guy with a frame able to stand more bulk, Belisle was able to spot his sinking fastball on both sides of the plate while dropping in good breaking balls for strikes. Managers chose him as the SAL’s best control pitcher in a midseason survey, and also praised his composure and consistency. Belisle moved up to the high Class A Carolina League shortly after midseason and continued to throw strikes. He finished the year with a combined 168-29 strikeout-walk ratio in 181 innings.