Eric Eckenstahler

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #26 prospect in 2004
  Eckenstahler is 27, an elderly age for a prospect, and he has pitched just 23 innings in the majors. Signed as a fifth-year senior draft-and-follow out of Illinois State, he doesn't project as either a starter or a late-inning reliever. But he could have a big league career in middle relief because he's a 6-foot-7 lefthander with a 90 mph fastball. He has a somewhat deceptive motion that hitters have difficulty picking up, and he has enough slider and command to go once through an order. When Eckenstahler struggles, it's because he tends to nibble too much. He's effective against righthanders, so he's not limited to a situational role. Sometimes compared to Graeme Lloyd, he should break camp with the Tigers. Though he worked just 16 innings for Detroit in 2003, his 2.87 ERA was the lowest on the big league staff.
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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #29 prospect in 2002
  After a decidedly underwhelming first pro season in 2000 after signing before that year's draft as a fifth-year senior, Eckenstahler dazzled the organization's coaches with the way he threw last spring training. He was consistently at 90-92 mph and maintained that velocity throughout the season, most of which he spent in Double-A. His breaking ball was also much improved, as he was able to throw it for strikes. Because he's a tall lefthander, Eckenstahler often is compared to Graeme Lloyd. He still needs to fine-tune his command and is projected as a middle or situational reliever, not as a closer. He's already 25, so he doesn't offer much more upside. He'll move up one step to Triple-A this season.