Cody Satterwhite Stats & Scouting Report

IP	329
ERA	3.529
WHIP	1.392
BB/9	3.884
SO/9	8.891

Full name Cody Allen Satterwhite
Born 01/27/1987 in Jackson, MS
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 235 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Mississippi
Drafted in the 2nd round (67th overall) by the Detroit Tigers in 2008 (signed for $606,000).

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Satterwhite has been a confusing prospect for scouts since his high school days in Jackson, Miss. Blessed with a first-round arm and electric stuff, Satterwhite has made a reputation for being a projectable righthander with at least three above-average pitches but with inconsistent command and lacking pitchability. At 6-foot-4, and 205 pounds, Satterwhite has the ideal pitcher's body. As a starter, his fastball stays between 90-93 mph, but as a reliever he consistently throws between 95-98. He has done both for Ole Miss since opting not to sign with the Indians after being drafted in the 37th round of the 2005 draft. After pitching primarily as a reliever in his sophomore season, Satterwhite was selected to the U.S. National Team. This season, the Rebels put Satterwhite back in the starting rotation where he has not been as successful. Scouts believe Satterwhite will eventually end up back in the bullpen once he reaches the pros. To complement his fastball, Satterwhite offers a curveball, changeup and hard slider. He has the ability to flash all three as plus pitches but with little consistency. Due to his delivery, Satterwhite has a tendency to leave pitches up in the zone causing his fastball to become hittable and his breaking balls to flatten out. Satterwhite is lightning in a bottle as if he ever figures out how to harness his natural ability and he could quickly be an impact pitcher in the big leagues.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

Satterwhite struggled as a starter during his junior season at Mississippi, allowing the Tigers to get an electric arm in the second round of the 2008 draft. Detroit liked him better as a closer anyway, and he had shown he could handle that role in his first two years with the Rebels and with Team USA. Satterwhite has an overpowering fastball, sitting at 94-96 mph and dialing it up to 98 at times with late, nasty sink. He also throws a good slider that has a chance to be an above-average pitch. He'll flash a changeup from time to time, but he's mostly a two-pitch guy. Satterwhite has the big, physical presence teams like on the mound. While his frame helps him throw hard, he has long arms and legs and a lot of moving parts in his delivery, which causes him some command difficulties. He walked 27 batters and threw 12 wild pitches in 49 innings last year. He also had some shoulder soreness that limited him to three appearances in the final month and kept him out of the Arizona Fall League, though he's expected to be ready for spring training. If he stays healthy, Satterwhite has the stuff to pitch at the back of a major league bullpen. If his control improves, he could be an all-star closer, though some scouts believe his inability to repeat his delivery will limit him to a set-up role.
Satterwhite had first-round ability but dropped to the second round of the 2008 draft when he struggled as a starter at Ole Miss. The Tigers, who signed him for $606,000, like his power arm better out of the bullpen anyway. He has had more success in that role and closed for Team USA in the summer of 2007. Satterwhite's four-seam fastball is regularly clocked at 94-97 mph and has good movement. His arms and legs are so long that it seems as if he's on top of the hitter by the time he releases the ball. There's deception in his high three-quarters delivery. He has a lean, athletic build. Satterwhite's secondary pitches currently rate as below-average. His slider climbs up to 84-86 mph and has downward tilt, but he doesn't command it well. He doesn't locate his changeup well either. An inability to repeat his delivery is the main reason for his inconsistency, but he made improvements in that regard during instructional league. Satterwhite has the stuff to set up or close and seems likely to continue developing as a reliever. He'll probably start his first full season at Double-A. If he makes progress with his consistency, he could end the year in Detroit.