Chad Reineke Stats & Scouting Report

IP	29
ERA	5.897
WHIP	1.517
BB/9	5.586
SO/9	5.276

Full name Chad Karl Reineke
Born 04/09/1982 in Defiance, OH
Profile Ht.: 6'6" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Miami (OH)
Debut 08/16/2008
Drafted in the 13th round (394th overall) by the Houston Astros in 2004.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Reineke had the size and stuff to warrant an early-round selection, but a spotty track record in four years at Miami (Ohio) dropped him to the 13th round of the 2004 draft. He has bounced between starting and relieving in each of his three full seasons. He spent April and May in Round Rock's rotation, moved to the bullpen in June and July and started again in August. Reineke's fastball and slider both grade as average to plus pitches, though they both slipped a bit in 2007. His fastball sat closer to 90 mph more often and his slider wasn't as hard or as sweeping as it had been in the past. He delivers both pitches on a steep angle that's tough on hitters. Houston keeps starting Reineke in an attempt to develop his changeup. It will dive at times but still remains inconsistent. So do his mechanics and his command, which is a problem because his fastball is fairly straight. He relies on his slider too heavily. Ticketed for another half-season at Round Rock after being placed on the 40-man roster, Reineke could be another Chad Qualls. Qualls had only intermittent success until the Astros made him a full-time reliever in Triple-A, and they'll probably wind up making the same move with Reineke.
The Astros have a knack for finding college seniors, with Eric Bruntlett, Morgan Ensberg, Jason Lane and Chad Qualls all contributing to their 2006 club. Next in line is Reineke, who has alternated between starting and relieving in pro ball and pitched better in the latter role once he reached Double-A last year. Reineke uses his 6-foot-6 frame to deliver his pitches on a steep plane, and yet his 93-95 mph fastball seems to climb on hitters. His hard slider has late sweep and is a strikeout pitch at its best. His delivery was much improved in 2006, with less effort and better balance. He's comfortable pitching out of the bullpen with the game on the line. Reineke is more effective in relief because he doesn't have to worry about his changeup. It shows good dive at times, but it's inconsistent and he's reluctant to throw it. His fastball has velocity but only sporadic life, so he'll need to keep it down against big leaguers. If Houston wants to continue trying Reineke as a starter, he'll return to Double-A. If he's going to stay in the bullpen, he could move up to Triple-A. Either way, he could make his major league debut late in 2007.
College senior signs Eric Bruntlett, Morgan Ensberg, Mike Gallo, Jason Lane and Chad Qualls all played roles in Houston's run to the World Series, and the Astros may have another find in Reineke. He was a 13th-round pick in 2004 after going an uninspiring 13-9, 4.63 in four seasons at Miami (Ohio). But his velocity picked up when he moved into a short-relief role as a senior, and he has maintained a consistent 93-94 mph fastball as a pro. Reineke also throws a plus slider that can reach the upper 80s. He uses his 6-foot-7 frame to hide the ball and to throw on a good downward plane. Reineke moved to the rotation in mid-July to get more innings and work on a third pitch. He improved his feel for his changeup but it still has a long ways to go. He was more hittable as a starter but did a better job of throwing strikes. He has toned down the effort in his delivery but still battles his command. He may get some more starts this year in high Class A, but he projects as a late-inning reliever.
Reineke served as a midweek starter and long reliever in his first three years at Miami (Ohio), enjoying only sporadic success and drawing no interest in the 2003 draft. Moved to short relief as a senior, he saw his velocity and pro prospects improve. After signing as a 13th-round pick, Reineke showed a 92-96 mph fastball and mid-80s slider at times during his pro debut. He hides the ball well, and at 6-foot-7 he throws on a steep downhill plane, making him that much more difficult on hitters. He's also a tough competitor. Whether Reineke becomes a late-inning reliever in the majors depends on whether he can find consistency. He's not flexible, so he can't always finish his delivery. That makes it tough for him to repeat his stuff and to throw strikes. Reineke is a project, but he has a solid two-pitch foundation to build upon. He'll probably start 2005 in low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

Part of the talented Salem rotation, Reineke earned the win in the California-Carolina League all-star game. He has an intimidating presence on the mound, using his 6-foot-6 frame to unleash 93-94 mph fastballs on an extreme downward plane. He also throws a plus slider, with late sweeping life Reineke was more free and easy in his delivery this season, showing better overall balance and staying on a direct line toward home plate. He still lacks much feel for his changeup, part of the reason he was moved to the bullpen following a promotion to Double-A. It has good diving action at times but he has yet to find a comfortable grip or consistency with it.