Bob McCrory

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #22 prospect in 2009
  McCrory overcame Tommy John surgery in 2005, but ever since then he has battled nagging injuries as the Orioles try to get his body and arm used to everyday work. He was dominant last spring, with scouts issuing glowing reports on his performance, and continued that run in April in Triple-A. Baltimore called him up at the end of the month, but he got knocked around in his debut and then was used sparingly, sitting idle for nine days before getting sent back down. His arm bothered him after that, including in the Arizona Fall League, but he should be healthy for spring training. The reason McCrory remains on the 40-man roster is his pure closer stuff, highlighted by a lively fastball that can range from 92-97 mph and touch 99 at times. It's heavy and batters beat it into the ground. McCrory also shows a plus slider and plus changeup at times, and he'll even mix in a curveball once in a while. He throws across his body a little bit, but there are really no other factors to suggest long-term health problems and he might just have to learn to battle through occasional aches and pains. While he can overpower hitters, he also gets himself into trouble with walks. With a good spring, McCrory easily could win a big league bullpen job, but the most important thing is for him to consistently take the ball when called upon.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #16 prospect in 2008
  Now that he has elbow problems out of the way, McCrory is in a hurry to get to the big leagues. He didn't pitch after getting drafted in 2003 because of a strained elbow, then had Tommy John surgery in 2005. He came back in 2006 and showed his arm was healthy, but he wasn't at full strength until last year, when he showed a fastball that peaked at 98-99 mph out of the bullpen during the summer and then drew good reviews in the Arizona Fall League, where he led the league with five saves and had a 1.50 ERA. McCrory is a pure power arm, coming at hitters with his live fastball and a sharp slider. He throws both two-seamers and four-seamers and keeps the ball down, making it tough for hitters to elevate. He has a nice delivery and good mound presence. Now that McCrory has established that his arm is sound, he'll have to get consistent with his command. He has the stuff and the makeup to pitch in the late innings. Because of his injuries, he has logged just 171 pro innings at age 25. The Orioles will bring him up from Triple-A as soon as he shows he's ready.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #13 prospect in 2005
  McCrory signed for $310,000 as a fourth-rounder in 2003, but he didn't pitch because of elbow tendinitis. The Orioles took a cautious approach with him in 2004, having him start the season in extended spring and giving him just 63 innings overall. They're being so careful because McCrory's arm has the potential to deliver power stuff. He can throw his fastball 95-96 mph and goes to the mound with domination in mind. He also throws a power slider, and he has no changeup to speak of now. His arm draws comparisons to Dave Crouthers', and the effort in his delivery is compared to that of Chris Ray, though it's not to the same degree. McCrory struggled with his command as he worked his arm into shape, and he needs mechanical work. His mechanics are not consistent and he sometimes rushes his delivery, and he just has a thrower's approach at this point. If he can get his mechanics under control, he could be a starter, but if not he should be a good power arm out of the bullpen. He will open the 2005 season in the low Class A rotation.