Chad Blackwell
| IP | 258 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.802 |
| WHIP | 1.38 |
| BB/9 | 3.07 |
| SO/9 | 8.791 |
- Full name Chad Arthur Blackwell
- Born 01/07/1983 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 145 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School South Carolina
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Drafted in the 6th round (175th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2004 (signed for $160,000).
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Righty reliever Chad Blackwell flashed a nasty 88-90 mph sinker and hard slider early in the season, but his slender build--he's smaller than his listed 6-foot-1, 162 pounds--wore down under a heavy workload.
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Picked up along with Jonah Bayliss from Kansas City in a December trade for Mark Redman, Blackwell led NCAA Division I with 20 saves for South Carolina in 2004 after transferring from Pensacola (Fla.) Junior College. He signed for $160,000 as a sixth-round pick that June and has continued to breeze through the lower minors. Though Blackwell has a slight frame, he's more resilient than he looks, capable of multiple-inning outings and pitching on consecutive days. He has a herky-jerky arm action and a low three-quarters delivery that make him deceptive. His fastball clocks in around 90 mph, and he expertly commands it and his slider to both sides of the plate. He also can fool hitters by pitching up in the zone without a dominant fastball. His changeup is an effective weapon against lefthanders. Blackwell projects as a set-up man. He's polished, so he could move quickly after beginning this year at high Class A Lynchburg. -
Blackwell led NCAA Division I with 20 saves at South Carolina in 2004 after transferring from Pensacola (Fla.) Junior College. He's one of three Gamecocks pitchers taken early by Kansas City in last June's draft, following first-rounder Matt Campbell and second-rounder Billy Buckner. Though he has a wiry frame and a funky, low three-quarters delivery, Blackwell has proven resilient and durable as a closer. The Royals don't plan on tinkering with his motion because he never has experienced any arm problems, and his arm action is clean with good extension. His delivery also creates deception. Blackwell's fastball clocks in around 90 mph, and he commands it and his slider to both sides of the plate. He also elevates his fastball successfully. His changeup is an effective weapon against lefthanders. Blackwell's pitching style reminds the Royals of 2004 supplemental first-rounder J.P. Howell's because he competes hard and is adept at changing speeds to keep hitters off balance. He should end up as an effective set-up man, and his polish should make his route to the majors a quick one after he begins 2005 in low Class A.
