Emiliano Fruto Stats & Scouting Report

IP	36
ERA	5.5
WHIP	1.611
BB/9	6
SO/9	8.5

Full name Emiliano Fruto
Born 06/06/1984 in Bolivar, Colombia
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Octavina Del Cevive
Debut 05/14/2006

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Fruto continues to show the flashes of pure stuff that have put him on prospect lists for years, mixed with the inconsistency that has him with his third organization in a year. He was originally signed by the Mariners and reached the big leagues in 2006, but Seattle traded him and outfielder Chris Snelling to the Nationals for Jose Vidro after that season. Despite an open casting call for starters last spring, Fruto couldn't make Washington's big league roster, and he went to the Diamondbacks in a three-team trade that sent first baseman Chris Carter (not the No. 8 prospect on this list) from Arizona to Boston and Wily Mo Pena from the Red Sox to the Nationals. Fruto has three quality pitches, with a 92-96 mph fastball, a true curveball and a changeup that at times is his best pitch. He also throws a slider. The problem is that he hasn't developed consistent mechanics to command any of his pitches reliably. He particularly needs to establish better fastball command. He has to back off on his velocity to try to get better control, which makes him more hittable. He's athletic for his size, but both his conditioning and his competitiveness leave something to be desired. Fruto made just six appearances after his trade to the Diamondbacks, so they'll take a longer look at him in spring training and give him a shot to make their big league bullpen.
Though Fruto made his big league debut in 2006, he remained an enigma. No Mariners farmhand had as many different quality pitches, yet his ceiling probably is no more than a setup man. While he has progressed from the days when Seattle's minor league managers didn't want to use him with games on the line, the M's parted with him and outfielder Chris Snelling in a December trade for Jose Vidro. Fruto's best offering is a changeup that at times has screwball action and grades as a plus-plus pitch. He throws it with the same arm speed he uses for his lively 92-96 mph fastball. He also has one of the best curveballs in the system and a slider that has its moments. That's more than enough stuff to start, but Fruto lacks the control and focus to handle that role. He's still searching for command and a consistent plan. He'll fall in love with his offspeed stuff and not trust his fastball, and he'll throw his slider more than his curve, which is his superior breaking pitch. Though he's athletic for a 6-foot-3, 235-pounder, he doesn't do a good job of repeating his delivery and arm action. Fruto took a huge step forward in 2005, only to show up overweight in spring training. Washington hopes he learned his lesson and will be more reliable in 2007, when he'll get a chance to further establish himself in the majors.
Signed for $250,000 out of Colombia, Fruto was an enigma during his first four seasons in the system. His arm was intriguing, but his lack of focus or command left his managers reluctant to use him in close games. He matured in 2005, when managers rated him the best relief prospect in the Double-A Texas League. Fruto easily has the best stuff in a farm system hurting for pitching prospects. His curveball and changeup are the best in the system. Both are plus pitches, as is his fastball, which jumped from the low 90s to the mid-90s last year when he started using it more often. His control improved as well. His slider gives him a fourth pitch that's average. Fruto has more than enough stuff to start, but the Mariners have mostly used him in relief because of questions about his maturity and poise. His weight has risen from 170 pounds to 240 since he signed, though he still has retained his athleticism. After breaking through in Double-A last year, he was shelled in Triple-A. Seattle is toying with the idea of giving Fruto another shot as a starter, a role he hasn't filled since early 2003. His upside is huge--and so is his potential to flame out quickly.