Brian Finch

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #14 prospect in 2006
  Finch was one of the more notable failures of the psychological testing favored by former director of baseball-information system Dave Ritterpusch, who was fired after the 2005 season along with his assistant, Ed Coblentz. Ritterspusch was a huge proponent of psychological profiles, and based on Finch's, the Orioles decided he could handle a jump to Double-A in 2004, 11 months after he signed. Finch got pounded and couldn't recover, even after taking a step back to high Class A. He had to go back to Frederick again in 2005 to get himself straightened out. He did just that, earning Carolina League pitcher-of-the-week honors early in the season and then MVP honors in the league championship series. He wasn't overpowering but gutted out a win in a decisive Game Five against Kinston with five shutout innings. He showed better poise and command all season and looked much more like the pitcher who was a second-round pick in 2003. Finch has the arsenal of a middle-of-the- rotation big league starter, with a 90-93 mph fastball, a good slider and an improving changeup. He must keep his fastball down to be successful, and he's still inconsistent with his slider. He also hasn't found a changeup grip he's completely comfortable with, so there's still work to do. His control also can improve. The Orioles did him a huge favor by keeping him in one place all season and allowing him to have success. He should move into the Double-A rotation this year and could pitch in the big leagues in 2007 if he continues making progress.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #20 prospect in 2005
  Finch had a promising start to his professional career in 2003, after the Orioles made him a surprise second-round pick, and the outlook was even brighter after he got off to a dominant start in low Class A in 2004. A promotion to high Class A made sense, but the organization's psychological testing indicated he could handle a jump to Double-A, so he went to Bowie. He got his head handed to him there, finally getting sent back to Frederick after 48 rough innings. By then, his confidence was shattered and his arm was tired, so he put up bad numbers there as well. When he's right, Finch is a power pitcher who throws from 91- 96 mph with good sink, with a power curveball and an average changeup that he doesn't use enough. His stuff is not a concern, however; his state of mind is after his difficult 2004 season. He could go back to high Class A in an effort to rebuild his confidence, and the organization will hope he can regain his previous form as a potential middle-of-the-rotation starter.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #14 prospect in 2004
  Finch was a 23rd-round draft pick of the Angels in 2000 but went to Texas A&M, where he never settled into a role. That made him a surprise as a second-round pick, but his early results make him look like a potential steal. Finch has a powerful build and a power arm. His fastball sits comfortably at 94-95 mph and ranges from 91-96. The sink on his heater is nearly as good as its velocity. His breaking pitch is a big knuckle-curve that's a potential plus pitch. He hasn't thrown his changeup a lot, but he does get good sinking action on it. Finch also has a good feel for pitching. The lone negative in his pro debut came when he was shut down with a strained elbow after pitching a combined 93 innings between college and Aberdeen. He's fine now and his health isn't a concern. Despite his initial success, he still has a lot of refinements to make, particularly with his changeup and command. Finch has a ceiling as a middle-of-the-rotation starter, and like Chris Ray he could fall back on a role as a late-inning reliever. He'll probably open his first full season in low Class A.