Brian Bannister

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Kansas City Royals #7 prospect in 2007
  Bannister's father Floyd was the No. 1 overall pick in the June 1976 draft and won 134 games in the majors, while his brother Brett signed with the Mariners as a 19th-rounder in 2005. An unheralded seventhround pick in 2003, Brian won 15 games in a breakthrough 2005 minor league season and opened last year in the Mets rotation. He hurt a hamstring running the bases in late April and pitched just once in the next three months. In December, the Royals shipped closer Ambiorix Burgos to New York for Bannister. They're polar opposites on the mound, as Burgos has overpowering stuff but is very raw, while Bannister is underwhelming but very polished. Though he had more walks than strikeouts in his brief big league exposure, his strengths are his above-average command his feel for pitching. His most effective pitch is his 85-87 mph cutter. His fastball sits at 89-91 mph, and while his curveball has nasty bite, he doesn't throw it for strikes. He used his rehab time to focus on his changeup, which had always been fringy. Bannister projects as a decent back-of-the-rotation starter, and he should make Kansas City's Opening Day roster in 2007.
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  Ranked New York Mets #6 prospect in 2006
  Bannister's father Floyd was the first overall pick in June 1976 and a 134-game winner over 15 major league seasons. His brother Brett pitched with Brian at Southern California and signed with the Mariners as a 19th-round pick in 2005. Brian greatly exceeded expectations in 2005, finishing the year as the No. 1 starter for Team USA at the World Cup. He allowed 13 runs in seven innings over two starts against Nicaragua and Cuba. Refining his cutter helped Bannister take a huge step forward. He spots his cutter and his 90-mph fastball to both sides of the plate. His 12-to-6 curveball can be devastating at times. Despite his success, Bannister still raises some obvious red flags. His fastball's movement is less impressive than its average velocity, and he tends to leave it up in the zone. He doesn't have much feel for a changeup, and his curveball is inconsistent. Bannister held his own in Triple-A and probably will return there in 2006. He'll be among the first in line for a callup in 2006 and could become as much as a No. 4 or 5 starter.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #15 prospect in 2005
  The son of former No. 1 overall pick and major leaguer Floyd Bannister, Bannister has the advanced approach expected of a pitcher's son. He has made a quick ascent up the minor league ladder, holding his own in Double-A in his first full season of pro ball. Bannister throws five different pitches and can locate them all. He works with a 90-92 mph fastball, a 12-to-6 curveball that's inconsistent but can be an out pitch, an average changeup and an average slider. Last year he added an 87-88 mph cut fastball that could be another out pitch. His cutter has good movement and generates a lot of bad swings. Bannister throws strikes, though he's not overpowering and is fairly hittable. He doesn't have a high ceiling, but with good control, a feel for pitching and a solid repertoire, he could develop into a solid back-of- the-rotation starter, maybe as soon as 2006. He's likely to start 2005 at Triple-A Norfolk.

• December, 2006 Scouting Report
  Bannister's father Floyd was the No. 1 overall pick in the June 1976 draft and won 134 games in the majors, while his brother Brett signed with the Mariners as a 19th-rounder in 2005. An unheralded seventhround pick in 2003, Brian won 15 games in a breakthrough 2005 minor league season and opened last year in the Mets rotation. He hurt a hamstring running the bases in late April and pitched just once in the next three months. In December, the Royals shipped closer Ambiorix Burgos to New York for Bannister. They're polar opposites on the mound, as Burgos has overpowering stuff but is very raw, while Bannister is underwhelming but very polished. Though he had more walks than strikeouts in his brief big league exposure, his strengths are his above-average command his feel for pitching. His most effective pitch is his 85-87 mph cutter. His fastball sits at 89-91 mph, and while his curveball has nasty bite, he doesn't throw it for strikes. He used his rehab time to focus on his changeup, which had always been fringy. Bannister projects as a decent back-of-the-rotation starter, and he should make Kansas City's Opening Day roster in 2007.