Drafted in the 2nd round (57th overall) by the Seattle Mariners in 1996.
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Farnsworth joins Joe Valentine as major league Rule 5 draft picks who could make Detroit's pitching staff this year. A second-round pick in 1996, Farnsworth's career was put on hold as an elbow injury sidelined him for most of the next two years. He became a starter and dropped his arm slot down to a low three-quarters angle last season, showing significant progress in the second half of the season. He earned more notice by setting a Venezuela League record with 531⁄3 straight innings without a walk and leading the league in ERA this winter. The Tigers took him on the recommendation of Phil Regan, the former big league manager and pitching coach who managed in Venezuela this winter and will be the skipper at West Michigan in 2002. Farnsworth's fastball is in the low 90s and his breaking ball is serviceable. He may have an easier time sticking with Detroit out of the bullpen but also could get a look as a starter.
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