Josh Sullivan
| IP | 386 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.453 |
| WHIP | 1.407 |
| BB/9 | 4.104 |
| SO/9 | 7.974 |
- Full name Joshua David Sullivan
- Born 07/05/1984 in North Little Rock, AR
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Auburn
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Drafted in the 5th round (147th overall) by the Colorado Rockies in 2005 (signed for $180,000).
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The offensive backfield of Auburn's football team produced three first-round picks in the NFL draft in April, and could produce a premium pick in baseball's draft. Sullivan followed in Blue Jays farmhand Gabe Gross' footsteps, starting off at Auburn as a two-way player and earning playing time at quarterback in 2003 as a redshirt freshman before playing baseball full-time. He then made another transformation, from catcher/third baseman to pitcher, starting last summer in the Coastal Plain League. He quickly became Auburn's No. 2 starter. Sullivan's fresh arm, clean delivery, athleticism and live body make him one of the more intriguing college pitchers on the board. His fastball sits in the 88-91 mph range and touches 92 with good sink. At times, Sullivan flashes a power curveball and less often a solid changeup, but he's still inexperienced on the mound and lacks confidence in his secondary stuff. One scout said if Sullivan brings it all together, he could be a No. 3 big league starter, a significant ceiling for a pitcher who could last until the third round.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Sullivan never topped 70 innings in any of his first six pro seasons and didn't even make it to 30 in five of them due to three arm operations: shoulder surgery in October 2005, a nerve transposed in his elbow in April 2008 and Tommy John surgery in March 2009. He finally reached Double-A in 2011 and returned there in 2012, when he moved to the bullpen and did well enough in the closer role to earn a spot on Colorado's 40-man roster in November. Given his medical history, the Rockies carefully monitored Sullivan's workload early in the season, and he adjusted well to relieving. He touches 96 mph with a fastball that sits at 92-93 and has heavy sinking action, a reason he allowed just three homers in 62 innings last year. He throws an 86-88 mph slider that's above average at times, and a developing changeup. Sullivan has a long stride and a long arm action in back that can make it hard for him to repeat his delivery and causes his command to be inconsistent. He'll need to improve that as he moves up to Triple-A and the big leagues. With his power arm, Sullivan has the potential to be a late-inning reliever, but because of his age he can't afford many developmental missteps.
Minor League Top Prospects
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A former quarterback at Auburn, Sullivan pitched just one inning in his 2005 pro debut in 2005 before being shut down and having surgery to repair a torn labrum. He was kept on a 75-pitch limit for most of this summer, but he showed the same electric stuff that convinced the Rockies to draft him in the fifth round. Sullivan has strong shoulders and legs and long arms, allowing him to pitch on a good downhill plane. He attacks hitters with a pair of plus pitches: a 92-94 mph fastball that he can run up to 95-96 mph fairly frequently, and a mid-80s slider with late tilt. He commands both pitches very well and works all corners of the zone. If he wants to be a starter, Sullivan will need to develop his changeup, which he only threw about three or four times per game this summer. His two power pitches and excellent poise could make him a weapon out of the bullpen down the road.
