Chuck Tiffany Stats & Scouting Report

IP	269
ERA	4.015
WHIP	1.323
BB/9	4.416
SO/9	10.773

Full name Charles Luis Tiffany
Born 01/25/1985 in Monterey Park, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Charter Oak
Drafted in the 2nd round (61st overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2003 (signed for $1,100,000).

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Tiffany has been on the radar screen since he was named MVP of the PONY League World Series as a 14-year-old. He's matured into a powerfully built, 6-foot-1, 205-pounder with velocity up to 93 mph. His fastball is normally two or three mph slower and has good life at the lower speed. He also has a nasty breaking pitch, a 73-75 mph, old-fashioned 12-to-6 curveball. He needs to develop command of that pitch, as well as his changeup. Tiffany also has violence to his delivery that will need to be refined. As a fringe first-rounder, Tiffany is the most likely Cal State Fullerton recruit to be lost to the draft.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

To lure Tiffany away from Cal State Fullerton, it cost the Dodgers $1.1 million, the second- highest bonus given to a second-rounder in 2003. He began the 2005 season with five dominant starts, but it wasn't until he was roughed up that he started to maximize his advanced feel for pitching and utilize his secondary pitches. Tiffany features a fastball, curveball and changeup that are average to slightly above average, and they all play up because of his command. His fastball ranges from 85-93 mph. He spots it on both corners of the plate, will elevate it in the zone, and adds and subtract velocity. His breaking ball ranges from 74-78 mph with tumbling break, similar to a splitter but with curveball rotation. He likes to back-door it against righthanders. He also has good feel for his changeup, which he'll throw in any count. Most scouts believe Tiffany's ceiling is as a No. 4 or 5 starter, and give him a high probability of attaining it. Maturity and experience are his biggest needs. He'll continue to move one level at a time and spend 2006 in Double-A
Days before he was to attend class at Cal State Fullerton in the fall of 2003, Tiffany signed for $1.1 million, the second-highest bonus any second- rounder got that year. He started a combined no-hitter last May, then improved on that effort two weeks later with a seven-inning perfect game. He finished the season by reaching double-digit strikeouts in each of his last four starts. Tiffany shows an advanced feel for setting up hitters with three potential pitches. He pitches at 86-90 mph with his fastball, which features late life and tops out at 92. Both his 12-to-6 curveball and circle changeup already rate as plus pitches at times. Like most young pitchers, Tiffany lacks consistency with his secondary pitches. Because he's just 6-foot-1, it's hard for him to maintain a downhill plane for added deception. He tends to get under or around his pitches, causing his stuff to flatten out and sit high in the strike zone. His stocky body always has concerned scouts. Few lefthanders have better all-around stuff than Greg Miller or Tiffany. The Dodgers see no need to rush Tiffany and will send him to high Class A this year.
Tiffany tied Dodgers 2003 first-rounder Chad Billingsley and Twins 16th-rounder Michael Rogers for the U.S. junior national team lead with four wins in the summer of 2002. That wasn't his biggest amateur achievement. He was MVP of the PONY League World Series as a 14-year-old. Los Angeles exceeded the commissioner's office's bonus recommendation by buying Tiffany out of his Cal State Fullerton commitment with a $1.2 million bonus. His pro debut was delayed until late August because of the negotiations, and then he was limited by a hamstring injury, which also hampered him during high school. Often compared to Mike Stanton because of his strong, stocky build, Tiffany can run his fastball up to 94 mph. He regularly sits in the 90-92 mph range with his two- and four-seamers. His circle changeup is major league-quality already, featuring late sink and fade away from righthanders. His arm works free and easy, helping his fastball ride up in the zone. His curveball projects as average, but he's still inconsistent because he doesn't always stay on top of his pitches. Tiffany needs to work on his flexibility to avoid further hamstring issues, and he'll have to keep close tabs on his weight because of his stocky frame. The Dodgers would like to get Tiffany acclimated with full-season ball by starting him in low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

Early in the season, Tiffany was dominant. His 88-91 mph fastball, his curveball and his changeup all were a tick above average, and the combination baffled FSL hitters. But as the season progressed, Tiffany's command wavered, and hitters started to catch up to him. While his velocity never really dropped, he wasn't able to hit his spots as well. His last start in the playoffs was symptomatic of his second half--he didn't allow a hit in five innings, but he also walked five. Tiffany started to wear down, which may have led to his struggles. His body has never been outstanding, and he appeared to gain a little weight as the season went along. When he was on, Tiffany had plenty of positives. He has a loose arm action and the ball jumps out of his hand, making his fastball seem faster. He feels comfortable using his full repertoire and has a very good feel for pitching.
Tiffany has a pedigree as a top pitcher. He was BA's top-rated 14-year-old back in 1999, and he played with Young, Stewart, Milledge and No. 7 prospect Jarrod Saltalamacchia on the U.S. junior national team in 2002. In a crowded field of Sally League lefties, Tiffany stood out because of his ability to dominate. While his stocky body gives some scouts pause, his stuff doesn't. Tiffany shut down hitters with a nasty curveball, plus changeup and a live 86-90 mph fastball that peaked at 92. At his best, he authored three starts of five or more hitless innings, including seven perfect frames on May 20 at Greensboro. He reached double figures in his final four outings, whiffing a total of 46 hitters in 21 innings. "He's got a loose arm, though at times his elbow gets low and he leaves stuff up, which is why he gives up some homers," said an American League scout, noting his 11 homers in 100 innings. "He showed a feel for changing speeds, though. His curve has some tilt and occasionally good rotation and depth, and his change had real good arm-side run and fade."