Billy Wagner

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #1 prospect in 1996
  Wagner had a difficult upbringing in rural Virginia, and his life was further traumatized this summer by the slaying of his wife’s father and stepmother. Putting that aside, he has become one of the game’s foremost strikeout artists. Wagner dominated college hitters for three years at the NCAA Division III level, averaging 16.2 strikeouts per nine innings. He has maintained a dizzying strikeout pace since being drafted by Houston with the 12th overall pick in 1993, averaging 10.7 per nine innings while holding opponents to a .205 average. Wagner made his major league debut Sept. 13 against the Mets, retiring the only batter he faced. Wagner’s sheer velocity astounds even the most casual observer. Despite a slender frame, his fastball is clocked consistently in the 94-96 mph range and occasionally reaches 98. The ball explodes out of his hand and simply overpowers hitters. Wagner achieves maximum leverage with a flawless delivery. He has a fluid, effortless arm action and his body is perfectly toned. Wagner also is an excellent competitor. Wagner needs work on his complementary pitches. His curveball has a chance to become an above-average second pitch, but he needs to throw it for strikes more consistently. He learned the need for a third pitch when he was roughed up a time or two in Triple-A, and has begun in earnest to develop his changeup. The Astros had planned to bring along Wagner a step at a time, but he already has exceeded that timetable. He has an excellent chance to break camp with the big league club in 1996, but could return to Triple-A if it means preserving his role as a starter. He needs to achieve the last little bit of finesse and consistency to excel against big league hitters.
• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #2 prospect in 1995
  Wagner is a strikeout pitcher of the highest order. He averaged 16.2 whiffs per nine innings in a three-year college career at Division III Ferrum (Va.) and led the minor leagues in 1994 with an average of 12.0. Despite his small frame, Wagner has a 95 mph fastball with a late, explosive action that overmatches hitters. He led all minor league starters in 1994 with a .188 opponent average. His curveball has developed into a solid second pitch. He’s a willing listener. Wagner led the Midwest League in walks, but showed vast improvement in his command toward the end of 1994. He needs innings to learn how to better utilize his stuff and refine his changeup. The Astros have few Class A prospects ready to move to Double-A, so the door is open for Wagner to pitch at Jackson in 1995. While it once was thought Wagner might make an ideal closer, the Astros have no plans to move him to the bullpen.
• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #3 prospect in 1994
  Background: Ignored by Division I schools, Wagner settled on Division III Ferrum (Va.) and became one of the most dominating pitchers in college history. He went 17-3, 1.63 with 327 strikeouts in 182 innings. Strengths: Throwing from a long, fluid motion, Wagner delivers a fastball that is clocked consistently at 93-94 mph on the fast radar gun and has late, explosive action. His other pitches are in the rudimentary stages. The Astros rave about Wagner’s eagerness and enthusiasm. Weaknesses: Wagner lacks command of his breaking pitch, and needs to develop his changeup. He has little clue about setting up hitters, and is inept at holding runners. Future: Wagner’s likely destination this year is high Class A Osceola. He might need a year at every level if he’s trained as a starter, though scouts think his future is as a closer.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #3 prospect in 1996
  Though Wagner was in Houston by June, he already had left his mark as one of the Pacific Coast League’s top lefthanders. The reputation of his fastball is well-known. His composure and maturity also impressed managers. “He’s one of the best power pitchers I’ve seen,” Phoenix manager Ron Wotus said. “His fastball is impressive, and he combines that with an effective changeup. I think in the years to come we’ll be hearing a lot about this guy. He conducts himself as a professional.” Wagner was a starter for Tucson but became an effective closer for Houston. One of his highlights was striking out Barry Bonds and Matt Williams with the bases loaded in the ninth inning to save a win against San Francisco.
• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #6 prospect in 1995
  Wagner, a diminutive yet dominant pitcher, lived up to his reputation as a strikeout pitcher. He led the minors with 204 whiffs in 153 innings in 1994, and fanned 77 in 70 innings in the Texas League (where he was ranked the No. 2 prospect) before a promotion to Tucson. His strikeout ratio in Triple-A was nearly identical to his mark in Double-A. “The little guy can surprise you,” Albuquerque manager Rick Dempsey said. “He can get the ball up there to the plate faster than anyone in this league. I think he has a little ways to go to get better command of his offspeed pitches, but I think he’ll go a long way.” Wagner has been clocked as fast as 97 mph and consistently throws 92-93 from the start of the game to the finish. He allowed just 12 earned runs in his last 10 starts.
• 
  Ranked Texas League #2 prospect in 1995
  During a short stay with Jackson, Wagner dominated the Texas League. The power pitcher left for Triple-A Tucson shortly before midseason, leaving an impression on TL managers and hitters before he left. He was called up to Houston in September. Wagner’s overpowering fastball was his best weapon. He needs work on his curveball and changeup. With command of those pitches, he could be an all-star. “He just has an overpowering fastball,” Jackson manager Tim Tolman said. “His command and his ability to throw his fastball to spots when he needed it was why he dominated. He’s a consistent curveball away from the major leagues.”
• 
  Ranked Midwest League #2 prospect in 1994
  Wagner gained attention as a fierce competitor who throws heat. He may have the strongest left arm in the minor leagues, and he also possesses a baffling curveball. The only question about the 1994 minor league strikeout leader is whether his future is as a starter or a reliever. He’s a bit wild, but he’s also unhittable. “He might end up a short reliever in the majors,” his Quad City manager Steve Dillard said. “Not that he couldn’t be a starter, because he keeps his velocity. He’s as strong in the seventh and eighth inning as the first, but he always seems to have one bad inning.”

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #14 prospect in 1996
• Ranked Baseball America's #17 prospect in 1995
• Ranked Baseball America's #78 prospect in 1994

• December, 1995 Scouting Report
  Wagner had a difficult upbringing in rural Virginia, and his life was further traumatized this summer by the slaying of his wife’s father and stepmother. Putting that aside, he has become one of the game’s foremost strikeout artists. Wagner dominated college hitters for three years at the NCAA Division III level, averaging 16.2 strikeouts per nine innings. He has maintained a dizzying strikeout pace since being drafted by Houston with the 12th overall pick in 1993, averaging 10.7 per nine innings while holding opponents to a .205 average. Wagner made his major league debut Sept. 13 against the Mets, retiring the only batter he faced. Wagner’s sheer velocity astounds even the most casual observer. Despite a slender frame, his fastball is clocked consistently in the 94-96 mph range and occasionally reaches 98. The ball explodes out of his hand and simply overpowers hitters. Wagner achieves maximum leverage with a flawless delivery. He has a fluid, effortless arm action and his body is perfectly toned. Wagner also is an excellent competitor. Wagner needs work on his complementary pitches. His curveball has a chance to become an above-average second pitch, but he needs to throw it for strikes more consistently. He learned the need for a third pitch when he was roughed up a time or two in Triple-A, and has begun in earnest to develop his changeup. The Astros had planned to bring along Wagner a step at a time, but he already has exceeded that timetable. He has an excellent chance to break camp with the big league club in 1996, but could return to Triple-A if it means preserving his role as a starter. He needs to achieve the last little bit of finesse and consistency to excel against big league hitters.
• December, 1995 Scouting Report
  Though Wagner was in Houston by June, he already had left his mark as one of the Pacific Coast League’s top lefthanders. The reputation of his fastball is well-known. His composure and maturity also impressed managers. “He’s one of the best power pitchers I’ve seen,” Phoenix manager Ron Wotus said. “His fastball is impressive, and he combines that with an effective changeup. I think in the years to come we’ll be hearing a lot about this guy. He conducts himself as a professional.” Wagner was a starter for Tucson but became an effective closer for Houston. One of his highlights was striking out Barry Bonds and Matt Williams with the bases loaded in the ninth inning to save a win against San Francisco.
• December, 1994 Scouting Report
  Wagner is a strikeout pitcher of the highest order. He averaged 16.2 whiffs per nine innings in a three-year college career at Division III Ferrum (Va.) and led the minor leagues in 1994 with an average of 12.0. Despite his small frame, Wagner has a 95 mph fastball with a late, explosive action that overmatches hitters. He led all minor league starters in 1994 with a .188 opponent average. His curveball has developed into a solid second pitch. He’s a willing listener. Wagner led the Midwest League in walks, but showed vast improvement in his command toward the end of 1994. He needs innings to learn how to better utilize his stuff and refine his changeup. The Astros have few Class A prospects ready to move to Double-A, so the door is open for Wagner to pitch at Jackson in 1995. While it once was thought Wagner might make an ideal closer, the Astros have no plans to move him to the bullpen.
• December, 1994 Scouting Report
  During a short stay with Jackson, Wagner dominated the Texas League. The power pitcher left for Triple-A Tucson shortly before midseason, leaving an impression on TL managers and hitters before he left. He was called up to Houston in September. Wagner’s overpowering fastball was his best weapon. He needs work on his curveball and changeup. With command of those pitches, he could be an all-star. “He just has an overpowering fastball,” Jackson manager Tim Tolman said. “His command and his ability to throw his fastball to spots when he needed it was why he dominated. He’s a consistent curveball away from the major leagues.”
• December, 1994 Scouting Report
  Wagner, a diminutive yet dominant pitcher, lived up to his reputation as a strikeout pitcher. He led the minors with 204 whiffs in 153 innings in 1994, and fanned 77 in 70 innings in the Texas League (where he was ranked the No. 2 prospect) before a promotion to Tucson. His strikeout ratio in Triple-A was nearly identical to his mark in Double-A. “The little guy can surprise you,” Albuquerque manager Rick Dempsey said. “He can get the ball up there to the plate faster than anyone in this league. I think he has a little ways to go to get better command of his offspeed pitches, but I think he’ll go a long way.” Wagner has been clocked as fast as 97 mph and consistently throws 92-93 from the start of the game to the finish. He allowed just 12 earned runs in his last 10 starts.
• December, 1993 Scouting Report
  Background: Ignored by Division I schools, Wagner settled on Division III Ferrum (Va.) and became one of the most dominating pitchers in college history. He went 17-3, 1.63 with 327 strikeouts in 182 innings. Strengths: Throwing from a long, fluid motion, Wagner delivers a fastball that is clocked consistently at 93-94 mph on the fast radar gun and has late, explosive action. His other pitches are in the rudimentary stages. The Astros rave about Wagner’s eagerness and enthusiasm. Weaknesses: Wagner lacks command of his breaking pitch, and needs to develop his changeup. He has little clue about setting up hitters, and is inept at holding runners. Future: Wagner’s likely destination this year is high Class A Osceola. He might need a year at every level if he’s trained as a starter, though scouts think his future is as a closer.
• December, 1993 Scouting Report
  Wagner gained attention as a fierce competitor who throws heat. He may have the strongest left arm in the minor leagues, and he also possesses a baffling curveball. The only question about the 1994 minor league strikeout leader is whether his future is as a starter or a reliever. He’s a bit wild, but he’s also unhittable. “He might end up a short reliever in the majors,” his Quad City manager Steve Dillard said. “Not that he couldn’t be a starter, because he keeps his velocity. He’s as strong in the seventh and eighth inning as the first, but he always seems to have one bad inning.”