Ryan Drese
| IP | 565 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.32 |
| WHIP | 1.568 |
| BB/9 | 3.393 |
| SO/9 | 4.795 |
- Full name Ryan Thomas Drese
- Born 04/05/1976 in San Francisco, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 245 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School California
- Debut 07/29/2001
- Drafted in the 5th round (153rd overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 1998.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Projected as an early first-round pick and in line to be the No. 1 starter on the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, Drese was derailed by elbow surgery in college. He pitched a total of just 90 innings over his final three college seasons and has had problems staying healthy as a pro, missing almost all of 2000 following reconstructive knee surgery. Drese pitches with a mean streak and supreme confidence that borders on cockiness. He has four major league average to above-average pitches--a fastball that touches the mid-90s, a slider, a changeup and a curveball. He can throw all four for strikes and has a great feel for pitching. In part because he doesn't repeat his delivery consistently, Drese still hasn't mastered command of his fastball within the strike zone. Once he does that and is able to throw more first-pitch strikes with his fastball, the sky is the limit. Based on his history, his durability remains a question. Drese was so impressive in a late-season trial with Cleveland in 2001 that he earned a chance to win a spot in the major league rotation. He did show the ability to pitch out of the bullpen last year as well, so he could make the club as a swingman.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Drese couldn't find his way onto Baseball America's preseason Indians Top 30 Prospects list. But he found his way to the majors by July and was in Cleveland's September rotation as it tried to wrap up the American League Central. Once a highly regarded college prospect who was sidetracked by injuries for years, Drese now throws 91-92 mph and can reach 95 with his lively fastball. He also has a hard slider and goes after hitters. Both Freiling and Gardner envisioned Drese becoming a big league workhorse.
