Robbie Weinhardt

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #12 prospect in 2011
  After posting a 1.64 ERA in his first two pro seasons since signing for $15,000 as a 10th-round college senior, Weinhardt picked up where he left off last year. He made it to the big leagues in July, 11 days behind Andy Oliver, his former Oklahoma State roommate. Weinhardt may have made his major league debut sooner if not for a shoulder strain that sidelined him for a month. He uses a low, almost sidearm slinging arm action that makes it difficult for hitter to pick up his pitches. His fastball sits at 90-93 mph with good sink, generating a lot of groundballs. His fastball straightens out when he leaves it up in the zone, and he quickly learned that he doesn't have the gas to just blow it by big league hitters. To combat that problem, he's working to create a little more downward angle to the plate. Weinhardt also throws an 81-84 mph slider that can get a little sweepy. He occasionally mixes in a changeup but is mostly a two-pitch guy. He pitched well enough to lay claim to a middle relief spot on Detroit's Opening Day roster in 2011.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #12 prospect in 2010
  After turning down the Astros as a 38th-round pick in 2007, Weinhardt was a $15,000 bargain for the Tigers the following year as a senior sign out of Oklahoma State, where he roomed with Andy Oliver, Detroit's 2009 second-round pick. After transferring from Hill (Texas) JC, Weinhardt was a swingman for the Cowboys as a sophomore before becoming a full-time reliever in his final two years of college. The bullpen role suits him best, and he has yet to start a game in pro ball. Weinhardt creates deception with a low, almost sidearm, slinging arm action. But he's not all smoke and mirrors, as his lively fastball sits at 92-94 mph and touches 95 every time out. He also has a hard, late-breaking slider and a changeup. Weinhardt capped off 2009 by leading the Arizona Fall League with 29 strikeouts in 18 innings. Some club officials wanted him in the big league bullpen at the end of last season, so it will be no surprise if he makes the team out of spring training this year.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #22 prospect in 2009
  In Weinhardt, the Tigers got a steal for $15,000 in the 10th round of the 2008 draft. While he can't match the pure velocity of the pitchers Detroit took at the top of the draft, he throws plenty hard and has the pitchability to reach the big leagues quickly. His fastball ranges from 90-93 mph and has touched 94. More important, he can throw it to both sides of the plate and it has great movement, boring in on the hands of righthanders. He baffled hitters in his pro debut and didn't allow an earned run in his first 28 innings. Batters simply do not get good swings against Weinhardt because of the late life on his fastball and some deception in his delivery. He throws mostly two- and four-seam fastballs, and he has a good understanding of when to use each of them. He also commands a circle changeup that has some sink. His hard slider has a chance to be average but looked flat at the end of last year. His strong frame gives the Tigers reason to believe Weinhardt can develop into a resilient middle reliever. He could spend his first full pro season in Double-A.