Mark Mulder Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Mark Alan Mulder
Born 08/05/1977 in South Holland, IL
Profile Ht.: 6'6" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Michigan State
Debut 04/18/2000
Drafted in the 1st round (2nd overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 1998 (signed for $3,200,000).

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A 55th-round draft pick out of high school who was ineligible as a freshman, 6-foot-6 Mulder has blossomed into the premium pitching prospect in the country. He has grown from a first baseman and part-time pitcher into a master of his craft. He has excellent mechanics and command of four quality pitches, including an easy fastball that ranges from 93-96 mph. He also throws strikes with uncanny regularity --he walked 19 in 85 innings this spring while striking out 113.

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Background: Negotiations with Mulder, the second pick in last June's draft, lasted deep into the fall before he signed a contract that will pay out $3.2 million by December 1999--a record for players signing standard minor league contracts. He signed just in time to catch the final weeks of instructional league. He made his unofficial pro debut in the Arizona Fall League, where he went 0-1, 3.38 ERA. Strengths: Mulder throws a wicked, moving 92-mph fastball, and rarely misses his spots in the strike zone. Both his fastball and change are now considered plus pitches by scouts. The A's were most impressed during the AFL by his mound presence. Weaknesses: Mulder's breaking ball still needs work and development, and he needs to learn to pitch inside more effectively. That will all come with experience. The Future: The A's favor starting Mulder in the California League this spring, then moving him up to Double-A Midland should he quickly merit promotion. Mulder has the right blend of ability and mental tenacity to develop into a top of the rotation starter in a few years.

Mulder didn't tantalize anyone with his statistics--until the PCL playoffs, where he excelled in leading Vancouver to a berth in the Triple-A World Series. But he impressed the A's all along with his composure and poise, and he maintained that polished consistency in his first season of pro ball. Mulder, the No. 2 pick in the 1998 draft, didn't sign until after the season and then started his pro career in Triple-A, where he finished 10th in ERA. Of his six wins, three ended Canadians losing streaks. He still has some work to do, and at times he labored under the most innings he has ever thrown in a season. He struck out 81 and allowed 152 hits in 129 innings. "I tend to forget he's 21," Quade said. "Just the fact that he was here and able to compete at this level was impressive. It was a challenge he was up to."

Background: Negotiations with Mulder, the second pick in last June's draft, lasted deep into the fall before he signed a contract that will pay out $3.2 million by December 1999--a record for players signing standard minor league contracts. He signed just in time to catch the final weeks of instructional league. He made his unofficial pro debut in the Arizona Fall League, where he went 0-1, 3.38 ERA. Strengths: Mulder throws a wicked, moving 92-mph fastball, and rarely misses his spots in the strike zone. Both his fastball and change are now considered plus pitches by scouts. The A's were most impressed during the AFL by his mound presence. Weaknesses: Mulder's breaking ball still needs work and development, and he needs to learn to pitch inside more effectively. That will all come with experience. The Future: The A's favor starting Mulder in the California League this spring, then moving him up to Double-A Midland should he quickly merit promotion. Mulder has the right blend of ability and mental tenacity to develop into a top of the rotation starter in a few years.