Allen Webster

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #4 prospect in 2014
  A shortstop until the end of his prep career, Webster enticed Dodgers scout Lon Joyce to turn him in as a pitcher after showcasing a low-90s heater, promising curveball and sound delivery. Signed for $20,000 as an 18th-round pick, Webster added velocity and became a key trade chip for the Dodgers, who traded him to Boston in the August 2012 Adrian Gonzalez-Carl Crawford-Josh Beckett blockbuster. Webster showed the best pure stuff in the Red Sox system, though inconsistent command and trust in his fastball resulted in him getting roughed up in the big leagues. Webster features a 93-98 mph fastball that he can sink for bad contact or swings and misses, and he can also get whiffs with his plus changeup--his best secondary pitch--and slider. His athletic delivery suggests that he should be able to control his stuff, but there are times when he can't harness his two-seamer, as evidenced by his surprisingly high home run yield in the big leagues (2.1 per nine innings) and 16 hit batters in 105 innings at Triple-A Pawtucket. Webster's stuff is outrageous, suggesting top-of-the-rotation potential, but his inability to command his fastball and questions about his confidence raise real concerns about whether he'll reach his ceiling. A floor as a middle reliever is possible, but he'll try to aim higher as he returns to Pawtucket's rotation in 2014.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #4 prospect in 2013
  Mainly a shortstop in high school, Webster threw 91-92 mph in a pitching appearance late in his senior year in front of a Dodgers scout who was evaluating another player. Signed for $20,000 as an 18th-rounder, he has blossomed into a top pitching prospect. Other teams marveled that Boston was able to acquire him while also dumping $261 million in salaries in the Adrian Gonzalez trade in August. Webster turns bats into kindling and generates groundballs with a 92-95 mph fastball that peaks at 97 but is most notable for its late sink and armside run. In 2012, he ranked fourth in the minors in home run rate (0.1 per nine innings). His changeup can be just as devastating with its fade and sink. His mid-80s slider lacks consistency but has the makings of a third plus offering. Webster's pitches move so much that he can struggle to command them, and he gets hit when he falls behind in the count. He also tends to revert to predictable pitch patterns. Some prefer him to Matt Barnes because he has a deeper repertoire, though Webster still must learn to harness his stuff. A potential No. 2 or 3 starter, he's ready to graduate to Triple-A after getting added to the 40-man roster and could make his major league debut in 2013.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #2 prospect in 2012
  The Dodgers converted Webster from shortstop after stealing him in the 18th round of the 2008 draft for $20,000. He quickly has become one of their best pitching prospects, easily handling the challenging high Class A California League and holding his own in Double-A before tiring down the stretch in 2011. Webster shows plus pitches across the board when he has everything working. He has an easy delivery and 90-95 mph fastball that peaks at 97 mph with plenty of sink, helping him generate grounders all day long. He throws both a slider and curveball that are plus pitches at times, though at others he gets caught between the two. He has some trouble staying on top of his curve but it shows sharp three-quarters bite when it's on. Webster's changeup could be his best pitch, featuring sink and fade at 79-83 mph, though some scouts think he tips it off by slowing his arm speed. Los Angeles had him work on honing his armside fastball command in instructional league, but he already shows advanced pitchability for his age. One Dodgers official compares Webster to Derek Lowe, and his stuff gives him the potential to be a No. 2 starter. He'll likely end up back in Double-A to start 2012, with an outside chance of pitching his way into the big league rotation in spring training.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #5 prospect in 2011
  Webster was primarily a shortstop in high school and saw only limited action on the mound, but the Dodgers immediately converted him to pitching full-time after signing him for $20,000 as an 18th-rounder in 2008. He quickly developed into one of their best pitching prospects, and the Diamondbacks brought his name up in trade talks when he was in Rookie ball in 2009. Webster made his full-season debut last season, tying for the Midwest League lead in wins and topping the system in wins and ERA (2.88). Webster's fastball sat at 88-90 mph in his predraft workout with Los Angeles, and he has gotten bigger and added some more heat since then, now working in the low 90s and topping out at 95 with plus late sink. His best secondary pitch is an above-average changeup with fading action, and he's starting to trust it more. He also has a solid curveball with some bite. With his compact, natural delivery and easy arm action, he should develop into a dependable strike-thrower. Webster's biggest need at this point is experience. He could become a mid-rotation starter and possibly more if he tightens his curveball. He'll deal with the challenging pitching environment in the high Class A California League in 2011.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #10 prospect in 2010
  An unheralded 18th-round pick who signed for $20,000 and walked 17 in 18 innings during his pro debut, Webster improved as much as anyone in the system last season. He ranked third in the Arizona League in ERA (2.08) and opponent average (1.97), and was impressive after a late promotion to Rookie-level Ogden. The Diamondbacks brought him up in trade talks when they shipped Jon Garland to Los Angeles. Webster's fastball sits in the low 90s and often touches 94-95 mph. It looks even quicker because he throws it so effortlessly after putting in extensive work on his delivery during extended spring training. His hard three-quarters breaking ball is a plus pitch at times, and he has fairly good command of his changeup. Webster is extremely thin and will have to add significant strength to have the durability to remain a starter. He's hesitant to throw his changeup right now, particularly when behind in the count or with less than two strikes. His breaking ball could use more consistency. Ticketed for low Class A, Webster will get his first taste of a full-season ball in 2010. His raw stuff and ability to make adjustments could allow him to advance rapidly.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked International League #19 prospect in 2014
  Webster joined the Red Sox organization in the 2012 blockbuster with the Dodgers that shipped Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett to Hollywood. He ranked among the IL leaders in ERA and opponents average while repeating the league Webster's control has improved as he's progressed through the minors, and he always has kept the ball on the ground. He throws a low- to mid-90s fastball with heavy sink, and he tops out at 98 mph. His best secondary pitch is a changeup that flashes plus, though he has yet to master a mid-80s slider that flashes average. Webster has fallen flat during callups to Boston in 2013 and 2014, giving up too many hits and far too many home runs because of poor command. His upper-end velocity would make him a power reliever candidate if he doesn't reach his ceiling as a mid-rotation starter.
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  Ranked International League #13 prospect in 2013
  Acquired by the Red Sox as part of the package that sent Josh Becket, Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez to the Dodgers in August 2012, Webster features an array of plus pitches in his toolbox to go with a track record for missing bats. His fastball sits in the low- to mid-90s with nice sink that allows him to generate groundballs. Webster?s changeup is effective against batters on both sides of the plate, though when the change is paired with his improving curveball he becomes especially deadly versus righthanders, who he whiffed a third of the time at Pawtucket. Webster?s command has been a constant question, and while he reduced his walk rate slightly in the minors, he fell behind hitters too often in the majors, where he was hit hard.
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  Ranked Southern League #9 prospect in 2012
  Webster went from an overlooked 18th-round pick in 2008 to a valuable trade chip four months later, with the Dodgers using him in the August blockbuster than brought Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto from the Red Sox. Webster spent most of the last two seasons in Chattanooga and turned a corner after the all-star break this year, going 5-1, 2.08 with 64 strikeouts in 65 innings. His 92-95 sinker breaks bats and generates groundouts, but its extreme life makes it difficult for Webster to control. He found more success when he began throwing a four-seam fastball that he could locate in the strike zone better than his two-seamer. Webster's breaking ball doesn't always show consistent shape, but when it's on it's a mid-80s slider with bite. His changeup has good sink and fade and should be at least a solid third pitch.
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  Ranked Southern League #10 prospect in 2011
  After posting a 2.33 ERA in high Class A to open the year, Webster had continued success in Chattanooga before he tired in August. With an easy delivery, Webster pitches off a fastball that ranges from 90-95 mph. It's a power sinker that he uses to get ahead in the count or induce groundballs, though he's still refining his fastball command. His best pitch is a sinking, fading changeup that he throws with deceiving arm speed. Some scouts project it as a future plus-plus pitch. His curveball is inconsistent but can be an average pitch at times.
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  Ranked California League #8 prospect in 2011
  Webster was one of the most polished pitchers in the Cal League, showing command of three pitches. He needed just six weeks to earn a promotion to Double-A, where he continued to excel before he tired in August under the weight of a career-high 145 combined innings. Webster's best pitch is a 90-95 mph fastball with heavy sinking action. He complements his fastball with a plus changeup that also has a lot of downward movement. He also has a solid curveball with some bite, but he didn't throw it often in the Cal League because his other two pitches were so effective.
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  Ranked Midwest League #11 prospect in 2010
  Though first baseman Jerry Sands' power and righthander Rubby de la Rosa's radar-gun readings drew more attention at Great Lakes, Webster was the Loons' best prospect. He may not have been as spectacular, but he tied for the league lead with 12 victories and has three potential above-average pitches. Webster's biggest weapon is his fading changeup, which was as good as any in the MWL. His 90-91 mph fastball peaks at 94 but is most notable for its power sink, and his curveball has sharp, late break at times. He repeats his delivery well and should have at least average future command and control. "He could end up being a stud," a third AL scout said. "He has a couple of plus pitches and will be a solid middle-of-the-rotation guy."
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  Ranked Arizona Complex League #3 prospect in 2009
  No AZL player boosted his prospect stock this season as much as Webster, who's listed in the MLB database by his first name (Carl) but prefers to go by his middle name. An 18th-round pick in 2008, he walked 17 batters in 18 innings during his first pro season in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. After moving to Arizona when the Dodgers shifted their complex-based affiliate, he posted a 56-14 K-BB ratio in 48 innings before continuing to excel following a promotion to the Rookie-level Pioneer League. Though Webster still is growing into his 6-foot-2, 165-pound frame, he already has a fastball that reaches 94-95 mph. He throws strikes with his heater, as well as with a plus breaking ball and a promising changeup that he needs to use more often. Dodgers pitching instructor George Culver said an improved delivery was the key to Webster's big step forward. "He had a lot of issues with it last year. He was a green pea," said Culver. "His mechanics right now are as good as you want to see with a kid with no more pitching experience than he's had."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #88 prospect in 2014
• Ranked Baseball America's #49 prospect in 2013
• Ranked Baseball America's #95 prospect in 2012

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Mainly a shortstop in high school, Webster threw 91-92 mph in a pitching appearance late in his senior year in front of a Dodgers scout who was evaluating another player. Signed for $20,000 as an 18th-rounder, he has blossomed into a top pitching prospect. Other teams marveled that Boston was able to acquire him while also dumping $261 million in salaries in the Adrian Gonzalez trade in August. Scouting Report: Webster turns bats into kindling and generates groundballs with a 92-95 mph fastball that peaks at 97 but is most notable for its late sink and armside run. In 2012, he ranked fourth in the minors in home run rate (0.1 per nine innings). His changeup can be just as devastating with its fade and sink. His mid-80s slider lacks consistency but has the makings of a third plus offering. Webster's pitches move so much that he can struggle to command them, and he gets hit when he falls behind in the count. Scouts also pointed out Webster tends to fall into predictable pitch patterns. The Future: Some scouts prefer him to Matt Barnes because he has a deeper repertoire, though Webster still must learn to harness his stuff. A potential No. 2 or 3 starter, he's ready to graduate to Triple-A and could make his major league debut in 2013.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: The Dodgers converted Webster from shortstop after stealing him in the 18th round of the 2008 draft for $20,000. He quickly has become one of their best pitching prospects, easily handling the challenging high Class A California League and holding his own in Double-A before tiring down the stretch in 2011. Scouting Report: Webster shows plus pitches across the board when he has everything working. He has an easy delivery and 90-95 mph fastball that peaks at 97 with plenty of sink, helping him generate grounders. He throws both a slider and curveball that are plus pitches at times, though at others he gets caught between the two. He has some trouble staying on top of his curve but it shows sharp three-quarters bite when it's on. Webster's changeup could be his best pitch, featuring sink and fade at 79-83 mph, though some scouts think he tips it off by slowing his arm speed. Los Angeles had him work on honing his armside fastball command, but he already shows advanced pitchability for his age. The Future: One Dodgers official compares Webster to Derek Lowe, and his stuff gives him the potential to be a No. 2 starter. He'll likely end up back in Double-A to start 2012, with an outside chance of pitching his way into the big league rotation in spring training.