Matt Long
| IP | 480 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.044 |
| WHIP | 1.427 |
| BB/9 | 2.663 |
| SO/9 | 6.769 |
- Full name Matthew Stephen Long
- Born 02/23/1984 in Columbus, OH
- Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Miami (OH)
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Drafted in the 2nd round (73rd overall) by the Chicago White Sox in 2006 (signed for $330,000).
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Long was one of Ohio's top high school prospects in 2002, as scouts looked at his long, lean frame and expected his stuff would mature along with his body. After a detour for Tommy John surgery in 2004 and rehabilitating his elbow in 2005, those projections finally have come true this spring. Long's fastball now sits at 92-94 mph and has peaked at 96. His curveball was his best pitch in high school, and he has regained a hard, tight breaking ball. He also has shown the command and durability scouts hoped for. Miami has used him in relief, and he could move quickly if he remains in that role in pro ball. After turning down the Giants as a 34th-round pick last year, Long is now poised to go much higher, perhaps as early as the supplemental first round.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
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Healthy once again after having Tommy John surgery in 2004, Long made the right move when he turned down the Dodgers as a 35th-rounder out of high school and the Giants as a 34th-rounder in 2005. The White Sox made him a second-round pick last June and signed him for $330,000. Long has a great build and has added strength in recent years. His fastball is his primary weapon, and it sat at 92-94 mph and peaked at 96 last spring. He usually pitched at 91 mph after signing, but Chicago expects more velocity when he's fresh in 2007. He has a tight curveball that became more consistent after the Sox worked to tighten his delivery in instructional league. He is a hard worker who put in the time to come back from surgery. Long lacks command with his curveball and his changeup. Chicago wants him to focus on his changeup and may use him as a starter in his first full pro season. He's raw for his age because he didn't get many innings against high-level competition in college. But he could move quickly, especially if he stays in a bullpen role. How well he masters his offspeed stuff will determine his longterm role.
