Sam Demel
| IP | 63 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5 |
| WHIP | 1.603 |
| BB/9 | 3.714 |
| SO/9 | 6.857 |
- Full name Samuel Vincent Demel
- Born 10/23/1985 in Channelview, TX
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Texas Christian
- Debut 06/16/2010
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Drafted in the 3rd round (120th overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2007 (signed for $238,500).
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Demel broke Josh Beckett's single-season strikeout record with 188 at Spring (Texas) High, and he has set the career saves mark at Texas Christian. He also has enjoyed success as a starter for the Horned Frogs, but pro teams project him as a reliever because he's small (6 feet, 185 pounds) and has a lot of violence in his delivery. That max-effort approach does produce nasty stuff, however. Demel has a 92-94 mph fastball that can touch 96, and it has armside run. His slider may be his best pitch, though at times he'll rely on it too much. He also has a changeup that drops off at the plate, giving him a weapon against lefthanders. While his mechanics make scouts cringe, Demel never has had arm problems. He figures to go between the second and fourth rounds, and a team coveting a nearly ready reliever could make him a supplemental first-rounder.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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A standout pitcher at Spring (Texas) High, Demel set school records with 15 wins and 188 strikeouts (breaking Josh Beckett's mark) as a senior in 2004. He split time between starting and relieving during his first two years at Texas Christian before becoming a full-time closer in 2007 and setting the Horned Frogs' career record for saves (20). In his first full season in pro ball, Demel flourished as a closer in high Class A. His lively 90-93 mph fastball has touched 96 and helped him generate a 2.1-1 groundout-airout ratio last season. His changeup has splitter-like action with downward tumble. His slider at times has good bite but has a tendency to get slurvy. Demel has a max-effort delivery that results in his head coming off line. His herky-jerky motion provides some deception but also impedes his control. He often prefers to throw either his slider or his changeup in three-ball counts because his fastball command is still below average. Demel should open this season closing games in Double-A. -
Demel was a big deal as a prep star at Spring (Texas) High, where he set a school record with 15 wins in a season and broke Josh Beckett's single-season strikeout record with 188 whiffs. He added to his resume for the Horned Frogs, setting a career mark for saves (20), and he had a lot of success as a starter as well. Because of his small frame, most scouts projected him as power reliever. That's the role the A's used him in after signing him for $238,500 as a third-rounder last June. Demel is all effort in his delivery but produces power stuff. His 92-94 mph fastball touched 96 during his pro debut and has very good armside run. Demel's slider rates as the best in the system, with good depth and late bite. His changeup has splitter-like downward tumble, giving him a weapon to attack lefties. Despite his violent delivery, Demel carries no medical baggage. He can rely on his slider and changeup too much, especially when he's in trouble. Demel is one of the most advanced pitchers the A's got in the 2007 draft, but his struggles in high Class A could earn him a ticket back there this season. He could move quickly if he has some success.
