Shaun Marcum

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #11 prospect in 2006
  Marcum was the starting shortstop and closer for Southwest Missouri State's 2003 College World Series team. He has moved quickly since turning pro and made his major league debut last September by not allowing a run in five relief appearances, including two-inning stints against the Red Sox and Yankees. Marcum doesn't have a knockout pitch, but he commands his stuff and he works ahead of batters. He throws his two-seam fastball at 88-91 mph to both sides of the plate. His changeup, which he uses to combat lefthanders, is a plus pitch because he maintains fastball arm speed. Marcum's late-breaking, 81-83 mph slider is effective and he can spot it when he falls behind in the count. His curveball is fringy and likely to be shelved if he stays in the bullpen. He has a quick arm, and his upright delivery might be best suited for relief. He got into home run trouble at Triple-A when he would catch too much of the plate in fastball counts. It's all about sequencing and location for Marcum, who doesn't have a large margin for error. Despite working mostly as a starter in the minors, he's a strong candidate to rejoin the Toronto bullpen at some point this season.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #14 prospect in 2005
  A two-way player at Southwest Missouri State, Marcum was the starting shortstop and closer on the Bears' 2003 College World Series team. His bat wasn't as impressive as his arm, however, so it was a given that he'd move full-time to the mound once he signed. Like David Bush, another star closer in college, Marcum worked in the rotation in his first full pro season. Toronto didn't make the change just to give him more innings, however. He has a four-pitch arsenal that could allow him to start in the majors. His best pitch is a sharp slider, and he throws an 87-92 mph fastball, an average curveball and an improved changeup. Though Marcum didn't need his changeup much in college, he maintains his arm speed and achieves late movement on the pitch. His control has been exemplary thus far, as he has averaged just 1.3 walks per nine innings as a pro. Marcum's defense was his strong suit as a shortstop, and he continues to field his position well. He'll head to Double-A to start 2005, and the Blue Jays expect him to move fast.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #21 prospect in 2004
  Marcum began his college career at Missouri before transferring to Southwest Missouri State, which allowed him to play shortstop and pitch out of the bullpen. His steady and at times spectacular defense and 13 saves helped lead the Bears to their first-ever College World Series in 2003. Marcum's defense at shortstop was sufficient, but his bat was not. After his all-star turn in the Cape Cod League in 2002, when he was Harwich's MVP with 10 saves and a 1.48 ERA, most clubs considered him a better fit on the mound. Marcum's athleticism translates to good command of an 89-92 mph fastball and a plus slider, the organization's best. His physical skills also make him a tremendous fielder at pitcher, and he has a good pickoff move. He has shown a good feel for a curveball and changeup as well and will be used as a starter in 2004, likely in low Class A. Whether Marcum starts just to get innings and experience or whether develops into another David Bush remains to be seen.