Tim Stauffer Stats & Scouting Report

IP	595
ERA	3.978
WHIP	1.333
BB/9	3.055
SO/9	6.792

Full name Timothy James Stauffer
Born 06/02/1982 in Portland, ME
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Richmond
Debut 05/11/2005
Drafted in the 1st round (4th overall) by the San Diego Padres in 2003 (signed for $750,000).

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Stauffer emerged as a sophomore when he earned All-America honors. His 15 wins tied for the national lead and his 1.54 ERA was the best of any starter in the country. He set Richmond single-season records for wins, complete games (13), strikeouts (140) and innings. His record (8-4) suffered this year because of a lack of run support, but he struck out 130 and walked only 14 in 98 innings. Stauffer shows excellent command of four pitches: a fastball, changeup, curveball and a cutter that serves as his out pitch. He has the confidence to throw any pitch in any count. He also effectively adds and subtracts from his different offerings, which expands his repertoire. Stauffer works in the 89-91 mph range, but his four-seamer gets up to 94 while his two-seamer has plus life and is often unhittable at 92-93. Stauffer throws two breaking balls, a 12-to-6 power curve that is more consistent and a one-knuckle curve that's more lively. His stuff, delivery, mound presence and knack for pitching are all major league-quality now and he should breeze through the minors. One scouts says he's like Twins pitcher Brad Radke with a better fastball and breaking ball. The only real questions are the competition Stauffer faced in the Atlantic-10 Conference and the fact he's thrown nearly 250 innings and 23 complete games for the Spiders over the last two seasons.

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Originally offered $2.6 million as the fourth overall pick in 2003, Stauffer settled for $750,000 after an MRI revealed weakness in his shoulder that hadn't been detected before the draft. He didn't require surgery but wasn't able to make his pro debut until 2004. He tied for the system lead with 11 victories while progressing from high Class A to Triple-A. Stauffer's best pitch is a plus changeup. He also throws an 89-92 mph fastball, a cutter and a developing curveball. His pitches work better than their grades because he can throw all of them for strikes at any point in the count. Managers and coaches at every level praised his grit and determination. Stauffer lacks a true major league out pitch, and he was hittable last year. He's close to his ceiling, leaving little room for projecting him beyond a No. 3 or 4 starter, not the typical expectation for a No. 4 overall choice. His curve can flatten out at times. The signings of Woody Williams and Darrell May lessen Stauffer's chances of making the big league club. He'll probably spend the year in Triple-A and won't have to be added to the 40-man roster until after the 2006 season.
A two-time All-American at Richmond, Stauffer was considered the player closest to the big leagues in the 2003 draft crop. After the Padres took him fourth overall, an MRI revealed weakness in his shoulder. He admitted his condition to his team, which reduced its initial $2.6 million offer to $750,000. Stauffer's fastball usually sits no higher than 91-92 mph, but it's an out pitch because of its outstanding life. His curveball and changeup are plus pitches, and his cutter gives him another solid option. He commands all four offerings for strikes. His honesty reinforced the Padres' belief that he has special makeup. Stauffer's shoulder obviously is worrisome. The good news is that he hasn't required surgery and San Diego hoped to have him ready for spring training. But until he gets on a mound, shows his former stuff and proves he can stay healthy, he's a question mark. Before his shoulder problems, Stauffer might have gone from the draft to San Diego as quickly as Khalil Greene. Now it's impossible to set any kind of timetable. The Padres will monitor him closely this spring before determining a game plan for 2004.