Tim Redding

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Houston Astros #3 prospect in 2001
  Redding was a center fielder as well as a pitcher at Monroe Community College before signing as a draft-and-follow in 1998. He stalled as a pro starter in 1999 before moving to the bullpen and blowing away Class A Midwest League hitters. Returned to the rotation in 2000, Redding was the most valuable pitcher in the Florida State League and didn't permit an earned run in 16 2/3 innings in the Texas League playoffs. Managers rated Redding's fastball the best in the FSL, and he has used it to fan 431 batters in 359 pro innings. He repeatedly hits the mid-90s, and he's capable of touching 98 mph with a four-seamer that rides or getting filthy sink with a two-seamer. His power curveball can be unhittable, and at times his changeup is above-average. Redding sometimes tries to guide his pitches, which leads to lapses in control. He needs to improve the consistency of his curveball and changeup, as well as a slider he added last year. He's competitive but sometimes gets too emotional. Once he tweaks his command and his secondary pitches, Redding will be ready for the majors. He should reach Triple-A in 2001. Because Houston has pitching depth, it's possible he could become a big league closer one day.
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  Ranked Houston Astros #14 prospect in 1999

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Texas League #2 prospect in 2001
  Round Rock pitching coach Mike Maddux preaches "location with conviction," and the hard-throwing Redding is an excellent example of the approach's success. After an Opening Day loss, he reeled off 10 consecutive wins to earn promotions to Triple-A and the majors, as well as Texas League pitcher-of-the-year honors "He's got a lot to learn, but he's got some of the ingredients that you can't teach, like a 95-mph fastball and the heart and desire to compete," Astros manager Larry Dierker said. Redding's curveball and changeup have their moments as well. He needs to learn to pitch inside more effectively to righthanders in order to cut down on his home runs allowed, a failing Enron Field magnifies. If he can't get his pitch count down and go deeper into games as a starter, his fastball and attitude make him a prime candidate for a setup role. He served as a closer for part of 1999 in Class A.
• 
  Ranked Florida State League #9 prospect in 2000
  Like Oswalt, Redding was also a draft-and-follow sign by the Astros, one of baseball’s best practitioners of that craft. Redding flourished after a midseason switch to closer in 1999, but Houston moved him back into the rotation this season and he really came into his own, earning a late promotion to Double-A. Maturity is probably the biggest reason Redding emerged, as bad breaks didn't bother him as much as in the past. His calling card is still his explosive, mid-90s fastball that many managers regarded as the best in the league. Redding showed the potential to remain a starter, though, because he’s developing his complementary pitches. His breaking pitch, alternately described as a curve or a slider, was tough on Class A hitters, though it still needs refinement. He also needs to work on his changeup and on reducing pitch counts.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #49 prospect in 2001

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Like Oswalt, Redding was also a draft-and-follow sign by the Astros, one of baseball’s best practitioners of that craft. Redding flourished after a midseason switch to closer in 1999, but Houston moved him back into the rotation this season and he really came into his own, earning a late promotion to Double-A. Maturity is probably the biggest reason Redding emerged, as bad breaks didn't bother him as much as in the past. His calling card is still his explosive, mid-90s fastball that many managers regarded as the best in the league. Redding showed the potential to remain a starter, though, because he’s developing his complementary pitches. His breaking pitch, alternately described as a curve or a slider, was tough on Class A hitters, though it still needs refinement. He also needs to work on his changeup and on reducing pitch counts.