Mark Buehrle

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #10 prospect in 2000
  As a 1998 draft-and-follow pick, Buehrle improved enough to not only sign for a low six-figure bonus, but also get sent straight to low Class A Burlington, where he acquitted himself while pitching the Bees to a Midwest League title. Buehrle has a complete assortment of pitches that he can throw for strikes, including an 88-90 mph fastball, two types of sliders, a curveball and changeup. The command of his breaking pitches is advanced for his age, and he consistently overmatched lefthanded hitters in the Midwest League. The White Sox are hard-pressed to identify a weakness in Buehrle. His fringe-average fastball may be his weakest pitch in a scout’s grade book. Buehrle could become the fastest moving pitcher in the White Sox system. The organization has few lefthanded relievers, and though his five-pitch arsenal profiles him as a starter, short-term needs may put him in the bullpen almost immediately.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #9 prospect in 2000
  Buehrle has gone from anonymity to the majors in about a year. A 38th-round pick in 1998, he signed as a draft-and-follow last May. His strong performance in the 1999 Class A Midwest League playoffs convinced the White Sox to skip him a level and start him in Double-A this season. Buehrle gave up five earned runs in his first outing for Birmingham, then never gave up more than three in any of his next 15 starts, earning a callup to the White Sox. Buehrle settled into Chicago's bullpen and should make their postseason roster. “Buehrle is special because he’s a four-pitch pitcher who can find the strike zone with all four pitches,” Birmingham manager Nick Capra said. “Plus he’s lefthanded.” He has no apparent weakness. Buehrle has an average fastball, terrific command of his curveball and slider, and a nifty changeup.

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  As a 1998 draft-and-follow pick, Buehrle improved enough to not only sign for a low six-figure bonus, but also get sent straight to low Class A Burlington, where he acquitted himself while pitching the Bees to a Midwest League title. Buehrle has a complete assortment of pitches that he can throw for strikes, including an 88-90 mph fastball, two types of sliders, a curveball and changeup. The command of his breaking pitches is advanced for his age, and he consistently overmatched lefthanded hitters in the Midwest League. The White Sox are hard-pressed to identify a weakness in Buehrle. His fringe-average fastball may be his weakest pitch in a scout’s grade book. Buehrle could become the fastest moving pitcher in the White Sox system. The organization has few lefthanded relievers, and though his five-pitch arsenal profiles him as a starter, short-term needs may put him in the bullpen almost immediately.
• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Background: As a 1998 draft-and-follow pick, Buehrle improved enough to not only sign for a low six-figure bonus but also get sent straight to Burlington, where he acquitted himself while pitching the Bees to a Midwest League title. Strengths: Buehrle has a complete assortment of pitches that he can throw for strikes, including an 88-90 mph fastball, two types of sliders, a curveball and changeup. The command of his breaking pitches is advanced for his age, and he consistently overmatched lefthanded hitters in the Midwest League. Weaknesses: The White Sox are hard-pressed to identify a weakness in Buehrle. His fringe-average fastball may be his weakest pitch in a scout's grade book. The Future: Buehrle could become the fastest moving pitcher in the White Sox system. The organization has few lefthanded relievers, and though his five-pitch arsenal profiles him as a starter, short-term needs may put him in the bullpen almost immediately.
• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Buehrle has gone from anonymity to the majors in about a year. A 38th-round pick in 1998, he signed as a draft-and-follow last May. His strong performance in the 1999 Class A Midwest League playoffs convinced the White Sox to skip him a level and start him in Double-A this season. Buehrle gave up five earned runs in his first outing for Birmingham, then never gave up more than three in any of his next 15 starts, earning a callup to the White Sox. Buehrle settled into Chicago's bullpen and should make their postseason roster. “Buehrle is special because he’s a four-pitch pitcher who can find the strike zone with all four pitches,” Birmingham manager Nick Capra said. “Plus he’s lefthanded.” He has no apparent weakness. Buehrle has an average fastball, terrific command of his curveball and slider, and a nifty changeup.