Chris Britton Stats & Scouting Report

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Britton made as big a leap as anyone in the system in 2005, coming back from two major injuries to establish himself as a strong bullpen prospect. His career first went off track at the end of 2002, when a comebacker hit him in the face. He had surgery and a metal plate was put in to stabilize the area. Then he had bone chips removed from his elbow in 2003 and missed the entire season. He spent much of 2004 in extended spring as he continued to recover from his injuries, and the Orioles put him in long relief in high Class A to open 2005 so he could work back into shape. Britton took to the role, though, and had a dominant season. He finished 10th in the Carolina League in strikeouts even though he never started a game. He doesn't have dominant stuff but goes after hitters with strike after strike. He has a 90-93 mph fastball and a tight curveball, and he's working on a changeup after getting through last season essentially with two pitches. Baltimore doesn't want to mess with success and plans to keep him in a bullpen role, so the only thing Britton really needs to work on is conditioning. He has a body that can get big if he isn't vigilant. He pitched in Venezuela over the winter after getting added to the 40-man roster, and could move quickly after opening the season in Double-A.