Pat Neshek Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Patrick John Neshek
Born 09/04/1980 in Madison, WI
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School Butler
Debut 07/07/2006
Drafted in the 6th round (182nd overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 2002.

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RHP Pat Neshek has been disappointing this spring despite running his fastball up to 93 mph. He hasn't established a reliable second pitch, and his fastball is straight and hittable from a sidearm delivery. He projects as a reliever.

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Neshek was voted top pitcher of the first Perfect Game World Wood Bat Association showcase back in 1998, and he had a stellar career at Butler, where he set records for strikeouts in a game (18), season (118) and career (280). He's an avid autograph collector, fully in evidence at his Website, patneshek.com. Neshek earned his way to the majors, posting a career 2.17 ERA over five minor league seasons. He has pinpoint command despite a unconventional sidearm delivery that creates tremendous deception. He annihilates righthanders (.140 average, 37 strikeouts in 86 big league at-bats) with his 86-91 mph sinking fastball and slurvy breaking ball. Lefthanders usually feast on sidearmers, and Neshek is susceptible as well. He gave up four home runs in 45 at-bats to major league lefties, who slugged .511 against him. He needs to focus on movement and command and use his changeup more to combat them. When he tries to overpower hitters, his stuff flattens out. Neshek is what he is. He already has demonstrated he can be an effective middle reliever, but that's also probably his ceiling.

The only player on this list who didn't make the 2006 edition of BA's Prospect Handbook, Neshek put together an outstanding campaign and was the IL leader in strikeouts near midseason--despite pitching in relief. Promoted to the majors in July, he posted a 2.19 ERA in middle relief to help the Twins roar back and win the American League Central. Neshek's funky delivery is key to his success. His first move resembles that of a submariner, but he finishes higher and delivers sidearm. It was a very tough look for righthanders to read and IL batters hit just .161 against him. Big leaguers batted just .176. Neshek pitches at 90-93 mph with a fastball that has cutting action. His slider has lift and plenty of turn, but not classic late-plane break. He has an average changeup that he uses to combat lefties, who have an easier time putting the ball in play against him. "It's amazing what this young man's done. If we've had a lead going into the seventh or eighth innings, it's over," Rochester manager Stan Cliburn said. "He's a one-man show as far as closing games. He'd come in in the seventh and close the game out. That's how durable he was."