Dan Runzler Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Daniel Joseph Runzler
Born 03/30/1985 in Santa Monica, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School UC Riverside
Debut 09/04/2009
Drafted in the 9th round (284th overall) by the San Francisco Giants in 2007 (signed for $67,500).

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Lefthander Dan Runzler also moved from the rotation to the bullpen and has thrown much better in a relief role. Runzler was a 17th-round pick of the Mariners last year as an eligible sophomore and has shown similar stuff this season, with a fastball in the 89-93 mph range, hard slider and curveball. He added velocity to his curve and has late life up in the zone on his fastball. It's a swing-and-miss pitch at times, and he can get lefties and righties out when he throws strikes. His lack of command and polish is what keeps him from having much chance to start as a pro.

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Runzler is believed to be the first player ever to appear at each of the Giants' four full-season affiliates and graduate to the big league club in the same season. He clicked with his pitching coach at Augusta, former major leaguer Steve Kline, and took off from there. Between his five stops, he had a 0.80 ERA and struck out 83 in 59 innings. Runzler throws an explosive mid-90s fastball on a downhill plane and seldom misses up in the zone. He complements his heater with a late-breaking hammer curveball that he hadn't thrown consistently for strikes in the past. His stuff shuts down lefties and righties. He's aggressive and works quickly. Runzler isn't a tremendous athlete and doesn't field his position well. He must work at holding runners. He could be lethal with a changeup, but he seldom uses one. There's little doubt that Runzler would have been on San Francisco's playoff roster had the team advanced that far. He's a lock to make the team in 2010 and because he has closer stuff, the Giants might entertain offers for all-star Brian Wilson.