Daniel Tuttle
| IP | 205 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.127 |
| WHIP | 1.38 |
| BB/9 | 3.556 |
| SO/9 | 8.21 |
- Full name Daniel Brett Tuttle
- Born 08/21/1990 in Randleman, NC
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 175 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Randleman
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Drafted in the 5th round (149th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 2009 (signed for $200,000).
View Draft Report
Tuttle overcame injuries from a severe car accident when he was 12 to become an Aflac All-American last summer. The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder plays shortstop and pitches in relief for his high school, and North Carolina State had signed him to perform a dual role for the Wolfpack. But a velocity jump this spring has Tuttle's college career in doubt, as he's likely headed for the first six rounds of the draft. Scouts have mixed feelings on Tuttle, who does a lot of things wrong in his delivery but delivers the goods nonetheless. Using a slinger's low-three-quarters arm angle, Tuttle throws across his body and lands on a stiff front leg. For some clubs, all of those are red flags. Tuttle still generates premium velocity and an attractive, sweeping slider despite (or because) of it all. His fastball sat in the 90-93 mph range with good sink this spring, and at times he ran it up as high as 96-97 mph, with plenty of 94-95s as well. His slider occasionally has depth as well, though more often it's a sweepy chase pitch rather than a plus offering. He has shown a slow curve and changeup as well but both are below-average. He's a power arm signable in the first seven rounds.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Facing a cleanup hitter with the bases loaded doesn't seem like a life-or-death scenario to Tuttle because he already has been through the real thing. Two days after he turned 12, he was nearly killed in a car accident that forced him to spend five weeks in the hospital. He bounced back from that to become an intriguing prospect both as a shortstop and a pitcher, committing to North Carolina State as a two-way player before the Reds drafted him in the fifth round and persuaded him to turn pro for $200,000. Tuttle's improved velocity as a senior made it clear is future is on the mound. He mostly showed an 89-92 mph fastball in his pro debut, though he touched 94 mph and has hit 96 mph in high school. His low three-quarters arm angle makes it appear he's slinging the ball and isn't pretty, but it gives his fastball plenty of natural run and sink. Very few of Tuttle's pitches are straight, which is both a blessing and a minor curse, as it makes it hard for him to command his fastball. He throws strikes but has too much movement to paint the corners. He also sometimes struggles to maintain his release point. He has a sweepy slider that was effective in Rookie ball but will need tightening as he moves up the ladder. His changeup, like that of many young pitchers, is more an idea than a consistent pitch at this point. Tuttle's delivery makes some scouts cringe and leads some to think he'll end up as a reliever, but Cincinnati will give him plenty of time to prove he can start. He figures to pitch in low Class A this season.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Tuttle bounced back from a serious car accident that nearly killed him at age 12 to go in the fourth round of the 2009 draft, signing for $200,000. After pitching at 90-93 mph and touching 97 as a high school senior, he worked at 89-91 mph and peaked at 94 in his pro debut. Though his velocity was down, he did show good armside run on his fastball. Tuttle's secondary pitches are a sweeping breaking ball and a changeup, both of which need refinement. He's also searching for a consistent release point in order to improve his command.
