Anthony Lerew Stats & Scouting Report

IP	61
ERA	7.525
WHIP	1.77
BB/9	4.721
SO/9	5.902

Full name Anthony Allen Lerew
Born 10/28/1982 in Carlisle, PA
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Northern
Debut 09/04/2005
Drafted in the 11th round (345th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2001.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

A talented high school athlete who was more of a football prospect than a baseball standout, Lerew made rapid strides in 2004, when he added 5 mph to his fastball over the course of the season. He parlayed the increased velocity into 10 wins, a Futures Game selection and his first taste of the majors in 2005. Yet just as it appeared that Lerew was on the verge of breaking into the Atlanta rotation, he experience a difficult 2006 campaign that included a midseason demotion to Double-A. Lerew's problems stemmed from mechanical issues. Despite possessing a loose and easy arm action and maintaining his 92-95 mph fastball, he lost the feel for his solid changeup and slider. His command also suffered. While consistent mechanics and command remain his biggest needs, Lerew is the most athletic pitcher in the system, which bodes well for him figuring it out. He helps himself at the plate (career .302 average), can steal bases (three swipes in 14 trips to first base) and is an excellent fielder. If Lerew can make the necessary adjustments, he can bounce back from a dismal 2006 to be a middle-of-the-rotation starter or a setup man in the majors.
Lerew is a poster boy for the Braves' extensive scouting efforts, as they spotted him though he was more of a football standout in high school. He took off on the mound in 2004 when he added 4-5 mph to his fastball. He pitched in the Futures Game in 2005 and made his major league debut in September. Scouts love Lerew's loose, easy arm action, which produces an explosive plus fastball that sits at 91-94 mph. He's aggressive and shows no fear in going after hitters. His command and the overall quality of his pitches improved in 2005. An outstanding athlete, he has the mindset and ability to start or relieve as needed. On occasion, Lerew loses the feel for his otherwise solid changeup, which has good late action. He's still fine-tuning a slider that's a plus pitch at times. The Braves would like Lerew to get at least another half-season in Triple-A. They believe he could mirror Kyle Davies and step into the Atlanta rotation if needed in mid-2006.
Lerew flew under the radar in high school because he also played football-- he was an all-star punter in Pennsylvania--but area scout J.J. Picollo identified his talent and signability early on. The Braves stole him in the 11th round in 2001, and he has posted a 2.79 ERA in four pro seasons. Lerew's fastball suddenly jumped 4-5 mph in 2004. After touching 93 mph the year before, he started working at 91-94 and peaking at 97. The pitch also has nice movement, and he generates that velocity with an effortless delivery. He also has good overall control. At its best, his changeup can be a plus pitch and has the break of a splitter. The increase in velocity affected Lerew's command, as he still threw strikes but didn't locate his pitches as effectively in the zone. His secondary offerings also need refinement. He lost the feel for his changeup at times and must tighten his slider further. Provided he maintains his newfound velocity, Lerew has the makings of a power pitcher in the middle of a major league rotation. Added to the 40-man roster in November, he's expected to spend most of 2005 in Double-A.
Lerew emerged as a prospect in 2002, when he was co-pitcher of the year in the Rookie-level Appalachian League. He was similarly effective at low Class A Rome, where he was the most consistent starter in a prospect-laden rotation. He also won the opening game of each of two playoff series as the team won the South Atlantic League title in its first season in Rome. Lerew has two plus pitches that have allowed him to dominate the lower minors. His 91-93 mph fastball shows outstanding movement and impressive late sinking action. His changeup is nearly as effective as his heater and acts like a splitter. Lerew also has excellent makeup, size and intimidating mound presence. The development of his slider will determine how successful Lerew will be at higher levels. He used to throw a curveball and needs that third pitch to put better hitters away. Lerew should become even better in the near future if his slider develops as expected. He'll move to high Class A in 2004 and could develop into a middle-of-the-rotation starter in the majors.
Lerew was an unheralded 11th-round draft pick before breaking out with a performance that earned him co-pitcher-of-the-year honors in the Appalachian League. He ranked second in the Appy League in wins and ERA, and fourth in strikeouts. Using a 92-94 mph fastball with good movement, a hard breaking ball and a solid changeup, Lerew allowed no more than one run in 10 of his 14 starts at Danville. He has impressive size for a 20-year-old at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds and mixes his offerings with the savvy of a veteran. The Braves rave about Lerew's makeup and the way he comprehends and responds to instruction. He's working on becoming more consistent with his breaking pitch and doing a better job of spotting his pitches in the strike zone. Based on his development thus far, Lerew could be on the verge of blossoming into an even better pitcher. His next step will be low Class A in 2003.

Minor League Top Prospects

The latest in the long line of Braves pitching prospects, Lerew saw his stock jump along with his velocity in 2004. When his fastball jumped to a consistent 93-94 mph last year, it threw off his command, but he coped by adjusting his delivery in 2005. His second-best pitch is a plus changeup that features tight, downward tumble and acts like a splitter. His slider still needs further refinement, but it's no longer a question mark. "He's a power guy," Kelly said, "with a ton of potential he's just begun to tap into."
Lerew has two plus pitches that have allowed him to dominate hitters in the lower minors, though he struggled at times in 2004. Pitching in the best pitcher's park in the league, Lerew went 3-5, 2.63 at home and 5-4, 5.10 on the road. His velocity was up, touching 96 mph and sitting in the 90-93 range, but his secondary stuff was lacking. His changeup wasn't nearly as effective as it had been the past two years, and his slider needs further development if he is going to succeed at the higher levels. "He was up to 96 (mph), and it was an easy 96," Lovekamp said. "It's easy power like (Jose) Capellan. His slider needs to be tighter, but it was coming along late in the year."
Rome finished second to Lake County with a 2.95 ERA, as righthanders Lerew and Kyle Davies and lefty Dan Meyer led the staff. After Meyer earned a midseason promotion to high Class A, righties Matt Wright and Blaine Boyer emerged with dominant second halves. Lerew had the most impressive arm on the Rome staff. He works ahead in the count with his 90-93 mph fastball and plus changeup. His slider improved during the season. "He's able to command both sides of the plate," Beasley said. "It's rare at this level. He has a good change and then comes back with 92-93, and after a good changeup it makes it look like 98."
Lerew continued the Braves' tradition of placing impressive young pitchers in the Appy League. The league's co-pitcher of the year, Lerew ranked second in wins and ERA while placing fourth in strikeouts. A product of a Pennsylvania High School, Lerew responded to the increased instruction he received in extended spring training. He has a plus fastball in the 92-94 mph range with good movement. He also changes speeds well with his solid changeup, and is developing a hard breaking ball that will make him more difficult to hit. "He dominated this league unlike any other pitcher," Henriquez said. "He's got great makeup, and I feel he's on the verge of really blossoming into an even better pitcher."