Scott Linebrink

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #16 prospect in 2001
  Linebrink was rated San Francisco's No. 2 prospect entering 1999, but was slow to bounce back from arthroscopic shoulder surgery that offseason. He struggled for a year and half until the Giants traded him for Doug Henry last July, then he started to regain his past form. The Astros made mechanical adjustments so Linebrink would stop throwing across his body, which had made it difficult for him to pitch inside against lefthanders. He throws three pitches, none of them soft: a 92-94 mph fastball, a slider and a splitter. His splitter can be effective when he stays on top of it, but he doesn't always do so. A former starter, he has taken to relieving because he doesn't need an offspeed pitch and it takes less of a toll on his arm. After a strong Arizona Fall League showing, he'll compete for a major league bullpen job this spring.
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  Ranked San Francisco Giants #2 prospect in 1999
  Background: While his record didn't show it, Linebrink's 1998 season impressed the Giants. His ratios of strikeouts and hits per innings pitched were both outstanding figures for a pitcher who entered the season with 38 innings of professional experience. He missed a month with arm tenderness. Strengths: Linebrink has the best raw stuff in the organization. He throws a heavy fastball in the 94-95 mph range that is his top pitch. He will also throw a slider, split-finger and changeup. Weaknesses: When Linebrink is in a zone, he can be dominant. But he tends to have problems finding a groove with his delivery. He is prone to big innings and will pitch himself into jams instead of just working for outs. The Giants feel his delivery and approach problems will be solved with more experience. The Future: The Giants would like to move Linebrink up to Triple-A to start this season but may hold back because of the experience factor. Linebrink has better stuff but lacks the polish that Grilli and Nate Bump possess.