Kurt Isenberg
| IP | 623 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.478 |
| WHIP | 1.417 |
| BB/9 | 2.571 |
| SO/9 | 6.544 |
- Full name Kurt A. Isenberg
- Born 01/15/1982 in Norfolk, VA
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: L
- School James Madison
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Drafted in the 4th round (110th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2003 (signed for $299,000).
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After sparking interest with a 7-4, 3.73 sophomore campaign followed by a strong Cape Cod League performance, Isenberg was inconsistent this spring. He went 7-7, 5.30, and typically followed an impressive start by getting knocked around. At his best, Isenberg is a polished pitcher with three average offerings, a clean delivery and good feel for pitching. His fastball ranges from 88-92 and he shows a solid changeup. He has the makings of a decent curveball, but his command of it is sporadic. He's a solid athlete who fields his position well. He was a two-way player until this season, when he played less in the outfield so he could focus more on pitching.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Isenberg's 8-8, 5.95 junior season at James Madison didn't scare off the performance-oriented Blue Jays. They knew he pitched in a hitter-friendly home ballpark, and they liked his athleticism (he also played the outfield for the Dukes) and fluid arm action. He quickly repaid their faith, as his 1.63 ERA in his pro debut easily would have led the New York-Penn League had he worked another one-third of an inning to qualify. Isenberg found the going rougher in his first full pro season, getting demoted from high Class A at midseason and missing a month with soreness in his biceps. He still has interesting stuff, however. He throws strikes with a 90-91 mph fastball, an average changeup and an effective curveball. He had trouble maintaining his release point, causing him to leave hittable pitches up in the strike zone. He also added a slider, which is still a work in progress. Isenberg, who profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter, will get another opportunity at Dunedin in 2005. -
Teams that focus on college players in the draft frequently use performance in college as an indicator of future success. Isenberg went 8-8, 5.85 as a junior, so he wouldn't seem to fit the profile. The Jays saw through his 2003 struggles with James Madison, where he began the year as the No. 1 starter for a disappointing club. They looked at the above-average athleticism that allowed him to play both ways, saw that he struck out a batter an inning after posting a 3.43 ERA the year before, and knew he had a clean delivery with good arm action. Isenberg rewarded the Jays with a stellar pro debut, falling one-third of an inning shy of qualifying for the New York-Penn League ERA title, which he would have won by nearly half a run. His fastball sat at 89-91 mph, and club officials think there's a bit more as he focuses on pitching. He has an advanced feel for a good changeup--a trademark of pitchers at James Madison, whose coach, Spanky McFarland, has a pitching textbook--and made strides with his curveball. If his curve improves, Isenberg could evoke comparisons to Jimmy Key, whom the Jays also drafted as a two-way player back in 1982. He'll pitch in Class A this year.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Isenberg was a two-way player at James Madison and had a rough junior season on the mound, going 8-8, 5.95. The statistics-conscious Blue Jays nevertheless took him in the fourth round, and he responded by leading the NY-P in ERA. Isenberg fills up the zone with a 90-91 mph fastball and an average changeup. His curveball was considered below-average before the draft but has improved. His athleticism allows him to maintain a solid, balanced delivery and his arm works well, giving him command of all his pitches. "He has a good feel for the plate and three solid pitches," Holmberg said. "He's the type of pitcher that moves quickly in an organization."
