Mike Ekstrom Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Michael Robert Ekstrom
Born 08/30/1983 in Portland, OR
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Point Loma Nazarene
Debut 09/10/2008
Drafted in the 12th round (342nd overall) by the San Diego Padres in 2004.

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RHP Mike Ekstrom might have the best combination of stuff and command of any pitcher in San Diego, normally a hotbed of talent, but he's just 6-feet tall and that may suppress his draft standing. The Oregon State transfer pitched well when Point Loma Nazarene faced D-I opponents and he led his team to a berth in the NAIA World Series, going 11-4, 1.80 with 117 strikeouts in 120 innings. He throws three pitches for strikes--an 89-91 mph fastball that touches 93, a power slider in the low 80s and a newly developed changeup.

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Ekstrom spent two years at Oregon State before transferring to Point Loma Nazarene in San Diego, where he was named Golden State Athletic Conference player of the year as a senior. Command of three pitches served Ekstrom well as he put Class A behind him in a season and a half, making 28 starts for Fort Wayne in 2005 and 14 for Lake Elsinore in 2005. He made his Double-A debut last June, where his strikeout and hit rates slipped. He was durable, though, and earned organizational pitcher of the year honors. Because he doesn't have exceptional velocity and because he's a 6-foot righthander, Ekstrom will have to earn his promotions. But for what he lacks in raw stuff, he makes up for with composure, presence and for having a real plan on the mound. Ekstrom attacks the strike zone with an 88-92 mph sinking fastball, a hard slider and a changeup. As it is with all pitchers who rely on control, Ekstrom's success hinges on his ability to change speeds, hit his spots and induce soft contact.