Tom Robson
| IP | 215 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.856 |
| WHIP | 1.6 |
| BB/9 | 4.647 |
| SO/9 | 7.074 |
- Full name Tom M. Robson
- Born 06/27/1993 in Richmond, BC, Canada
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Delta Secondary
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Drafted in the 4th round (139th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011 (signed for $325,000).
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This year's top prospect in Canada is righthander Thomas Robson, who has a big frame at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds. Robson's fastball sits in the 88-91 mph range, and he has touched 93, and it's not difficult to envision him adding a couple of ticks because of his frame, his age (17) and how easy his arm works. Robson also shows a good feel for the strike zone, moves the ball around well and has a good understanding of how to pitch. He can spin a curveball and shows feel for a changeup. Robson is committed to Central Arizona JC but could go as high as the fifth round.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Born just south of Vancouver, Robson thought he had left the city behind in his march up the Blue Jays farm system after seven strong starts in the short-season Northwest League in 2013. Tommy John surgery in 2014 prompted Robson to make two more short starts for the Canadians in 2015. Robson came back from his surgery well and was healthy enough to make nine starts--plus he pitched in instructional league. He still has some crossfire in his delivery that gives him deception, but he has to stay online in his delivery more consistently to locate his stuff. His fastball has returned to its previous 89-94 mph velocity and has decent plane from his high slot. He has improved the timing in his delivery as well, which previously was off and helped lead to his elbow injury. He has regained the feel for his mid-80s changeup, which was his best secondary pitch previously, and fringy slider. Now that he's healthy, Robson should return to a full-season rotation, most likely at high Class A Dunedin. -
Robson had the look of a durable innings-eater until having Tommy John surgery eight starts into the 2014 season. Before the surgery, his fastball sat 89-93 mph and touched 94 with downhill plane from a high three-quarters arm slot. The addition of his two-seamer, featuring heavy, sinking life, has helped him produce above-average groundball rates. Robson offers a curveball and a mid-80s changeup with above-average potential, though the changeup can be too firm at times. His low-80s slider could be an average offering. He could return to action in the second half of 2015, likely at one of the Class A levels. If he picks up where he left off, he would project as a potential No. 3 or 4 starter. -
Robson, the top Canadian in the 2011 draft, had a forgettable debut in 2012, pitching in the mid- to high 80s with a slow, deliberate delivery. But he improved as much as any pitcher in the organization last season and profiles as a No. 4 starter with a chance to develop into a No. 3. Robson began to work more on line to the plate, maintained better balance throughout his delivery and sped up his arm significantly, now working with 91-95 mph fastball featuring plus life and downhill plane from a high three-quarters arm slot. His fastball was somewhat straight in high school, but he has added a two-seamer with plus sink and produced a 3.5 groundout/airout ratio in 2013 that was nearly twice league average across two levels. His changeup projects to be a plus offering. His curveball plays as solid-average with the potential to be better, but he has trouble commanding it. He has a repeatable delivery and the potential for at least average control. Robson will likely begin 2014 in Lansing and profiles as a durable, innings-eating starter as long as his offspeed stuff continues to progress.
Minor League Top Prospects
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The British Columbia native dominated for his home-province team, using a 92-95 mph fastball, a curveball and a changeup to post a sub-1.00 ERA. His most impressive start came in the championship series clincher against Boise, when he allowed just three hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings. Robson went 3-0, 1.38 in six appearances at Rookie-level Bluefield before helping Vancouver win its third straight league title. ?His fastball is his best pitch,? Vancouver?s McCullough said of his team?s most dominant pitcher. ?It has downhill angle and is in the low 90s. He gets a lot of groundballs with it, plus he can the spin the ball and he has a real good feel for a changeup.?
Scouting Reports
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Robson had the look of a durable innings-eater until having Tommy John surgery eight starts into the 2014 season. Before the surgery, his fastball sat 89-93 mph and touched 94 with downhill plane from a high three-quarters arm slot. The addition of his two-seamer, featuring heavy, sinking life, has helped him produce above-average groundball rates. Robson offers a curveball and a mid-80s changeup with above-average potential, though the changeup can be too firm at times. His low-80s slider could be an average offering. He could return to action in the second half of 2015, likely at one of the Class A levels. If he picks up where he left off, he would project as a potential No. 3 or 4 starter.
