Brian Forystek

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #26 prospect in 2005
  After Forystek had a season that was disappointing from beginning to end (including a 9.49 ERA in the Arizona Fall League), there was speculation that he would be dropped from the 40-man roster. He opened the 2004 season in Triple-A but went back to Bowie at midseason, where he emerged in 2003 after spending most of his career in the bullpen. His breakout was predicated on pinpoint command, and he got away from that in 2004. He depends on his command because he lacks a plus pitch. His fastball is 88-89 mph, with good sink, and he complements it with a slider and changeup. Forystek had used his changeup effectively against righthanded hitters in 2003, but he could not find a way to get righthanded hitters out last season. They batted .322 against him, while lefthanders batted just .225. So it wouldn't be a surprise to see Forystek go back into a bullpen role in 2005 because as a starter he needs to be perfect every outing because his raw stuff isn't overwhelming. He'll open the season in Triple-A, with his role likely determined in spring training.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #18 prospect in 2004
  Signed out of Illinois State for $5,000, Forystek looked like an organizational player until last year. After he made eight scoreless relief appearances in Double-A, he got a chance to pitch in the rotation in May and ran with it. He made the Eastern League's midseason all-star team and finished ninth in the league in ERA. His turnaround was a combination of gaining confidence and command of his secondary pitches. His fastball is 88-89 mph, occasionally touching 90, with good sink and life. He got a handle on his changeup in 2002 and excelled with it in 2003. It gives him another weapon against righthanders, while his slider is more useful against lefties. Forystek commands those pitches better than his fastball, a point of emphasis for him going into 2004. He must be more effective against lefthanders, who batted .322 against him (compared to .228 for righties). He also has to get his lower half in better shape after tiring down the stretch. Forystek could become an end-of-the-rotation starter or middle reliever. He'll try to prove himself in Triple-A this year.

• December, 2003 Scouting Report
  Signed out of Illinois State for $5,000, Forystek looked like an organizational player until last year. After he made eight scoreless relief appearances in Double-A, he got a chance to pitch in the rotation in May and ran with it. He made the Eastern League's midseason all-star team and finished ninth in the league in ERA. His turnaround was a combination of gaining confidence and command of his secondary pitches. His fastball is 88-89 mph, occasionally touching 90, with good sink and life. He got a handle on his changeup in 2002 and excelled with it in 2003. It gives him another weapon against righthanders, while his slider is more useful against lefties. Forystek commands those pitches better than his fastball, a point of emphasis for him going into 2004. He must be more effective against lefthanders, who batted .322 against him (compared to .228 for righties). He also has to get his lower half in better shape after tiring down the stretch. Forystek could become an end-of-the-rotation starter or middle reliever. He'll try to prove himself in Triple-A this year.