Carmen Pignatiello

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #26 prospect in 2004
  Though his fastball resides in the 83-85 mph range, Pignatiello led the Florida State League in strikeouts last year. With that lack of velocity, he'll have to keep proving himself, but he also has an impressive résumé dating back to when he won a gold medal with Team USA at the 1999 World Junior Championship. He was a high school teammate of righthander Kris Honel, who was drafted in the first round in 2001 by Chicago's other big league team. Pignatiello survives with below-average velocity because he has a plus curveball and command, along with a good changeup. He draws the standard comparisons to Jamie Moyer and Kirk Rueter, though he'll probably have to develop more fastball to move all the way up the ladder. Pignatiello is vulnerable when he doesn't locate his pitches, as evidenced by him topping the FSL in runs, earned runs and homers allowed. He has earned a promotion to Double-A in 2004.
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #27 prospect in 2003
  Pignatiello won a gold medal with the U.S. national 18-and-under team at the 1999 World Junior Championships and was the 2000 Illinois high school player of the year. He came out of the same Providence Catholic High program that produced big leaguer Bryan Rekar and White Sox 2001 first-rounder Kris Honel. But Pignatiello doesn't throw hard and was committed to Mississippi State, which enabled Chicago to draft him in the 20th round. He has made consistent progress since signing. His fastball ranges from 82-88 mph, though the Cubs could see him developing an average fastball if he gets stronger. Pignatiello pitches better than his velocity because he's not afraid to pitch inside and does a fine job of commanding his curveball and changeup, both of which are average. Given his stuff, he draws the inevitable comparisons to Jamie Moyer and Kirk Rueter. It's difficult to project Pignatiello starting for the Cubs because of all the quality arms ahead of him, but it also would be foolish to bet against him. He'll continue proving himself this year in high Class A.