Tim Berry

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #16 prospect in 2016
  Signed for $125,000 even as the last pick of the Orioles' 2009 draft, Berry had Tommy John surgery as a prep senior. He throws his 91-94 mph fastball with sink and features a sharp, tight, hard curveball that flashes plus at times. Even though he was repeating Double-A Bowie, Berry had a tough 2015. He struggled badly and moved to bullpen in July, when he began pitching better. Then he had surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee in early August to end his season. He rehabbed at the Orioles' Florida complex and should be 100 percent for spring training. His changeup has regressed, losing consistency and leaving him vulnerable against righthanded hitters. A player with excellent work ethic and makeup, Berry will likely remain pitching out of the bullpen in 2016 at either Double-A or Triple-A Norfolk.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #7 prospect in 2015
  The Orioles drafted Berry after he had Tommy John surgery as a high school senior and signed him away from an Oregon commitment for $125,000. A 50th-round pick, Berry already has made it to the majors--at least for a single day. Added to the 40-man roster in November 2013, Berry was on the major league roster for one day in June before the Orioles sent him back down. Berry is a three-pitch lefthander who pitches off his 88-92 mph fastball that can reach 94 with some sink. His changeup has developed into his best secondary pitch, with some scouts giving it plus grades and others not quite as bullish. Berry's slurvy 75-77 mph slider has more sweeping action than depth, grades as fringe-average at its best and is more often a below-average pitch. Because of his changeup, he's generally been equally effective against righthanded hitters as he is against lefties. He has a loose arm and good delivery but still didn't pitch after Aug. 10 due to mild shoulder tendinitis. Berry was in the process of having a strong finish when he was shut down. Although he had Tommy John surgery in high school, he's had a pretty solid record of durability until this recent shoulder issue. He should progress to Triple-A for 2015 and projects as a back-end starter if he's not pushed to the bullpen by a big league need.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #6 prospect in 2014
  Berry received a $125,000 bonus as a 50th-round pick in 2009 after having Tommy John surgery as a prep senior. He showed he was healthy in his first two seasons before breaking out in 2013 and finishing with a strong effort in the Arizona Fall League. The wiry, athletic Berry has a loose arm and attacks hitters with three average pitches, beginning with a fastball that earns occasional above-average grades. He pitched last season at 91-92 mph, touching 94, with improved command. His hard curveball has good downward action with tight spin, helping him neutralize lefthanded hitters, who hit .217/.275/.286 against him in 2013. Berry's firm changeup has improved, but he's still vulnerable against righthanders, who slugged .452 against him. The Orioles were impressed with the strides Berry made with his focus and the mental side of the game. He earned a spot on the 40-man roster and ought to spend 2014 at Double-A Bowie. He'll have to figure out how to combat righthanders to fulfill his potential as a mid-rotation starter.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #11 prospect in 2013
  Berry put himself on the draft radar after he threw a 17-strikeout no-hitter as a prep senior in 2009, but he injured his elbow later that spring and required Tommy John surgery. The Orioles took a flier on Berry in the 50th round anyway and signed him away from an Oregon commitment for $125,000, and he hasn't had any setbacks since the surgery. He spent the early portion of last year repeating low Class A but earned two promotions and finished the season with a start in Double-A. Berry has a live, loose arm that delivers 90-94 mph fastballs, and some scouts think there could be more velocity to come as he continues adding strength to his skinny frame. He can spin the ball well and flashes plus curveballs in warmups but struggles with consistency during games. He has feel for a solid changeup that he throws with good arm speed. Berry needs to work on keeping the ball down in the strike zone. His command and control waver, and they ultimately will determine his future role. As his coordination has improved, so too has his delivery. Berry's three-pitch mix gives him a ceiling of a No. 3 starter, though he could end up in the bullpen. He'll return to Bowie in 2013.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #20 prospect in 2012
  Berry established himself as a prep standout in the San Diego area, throwing a 17- strikeout no-hitter early in his senior season in 2009. He dropped off the scouting radar when he injured his elbow shortly thereafter, though, and most teams thought he was headed to college at Oregon. The Orioles took a flier in the 50th round and signed him for $125,000, even though they knew he would need Tommy John surgery. He didn't make his pro debut until 2010, when he threw just 20 innings, but got in a full 26 starts last year. Berry pitches at 88-92 mph with his fastball and has the potential to boost his velocity as he adds strength to his frame. His curveball could be a plus pitch with good bite, and he has nice deception on his changeup. He'll need to tighten his curve and improve the consistency and command of all his pitches. He mixed good starts with horrendous ones last season. That's why the Orioles focused on the process and not the results, recognizing his upside. He may go back to low Class A to get 2012 off to a positive start, but he'll move up pretty quickly and could make a big leap forward this season.