Jon Rauch
| IP | 595 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.903 |
| WHIP | 1.24 |
| BB/9 | 2.708 |
| SO/9 | 7.185 |
- Full name Jon Erich Rauch
- Born 09/27/1978 in Louisville, KY
- Profile Ht.: 6'11" / Wt.: 290 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Morehead State
- Debut 04/02/2002
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Drafted in the 3rd round (99th overall) by the Chicago White Sox in 1999 (signed for $310,000).
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Six-foot-10 RHP Jon Rauch showed the potential to become a first-round pick after his MVP performance last summer in the Shenandoah Valley League, where he sported a 95-mph fastball and struck out 126 in 85 innings. He'll still be the highest pick in the state despite struggling to reach even 90-91 this year. He was not in shape at the start of the season and struggled throughout the spring to regain velocity. His slider was better, however, and he learned to pitch inside. If Rauch goes before the fourth or fifth round, it will be off his summer performance.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Yes, it has been three seasons since Rauch was BA's 2000 Minor League Player of the Year and a key part of the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic starting rotation. But the tallest pitcher in major league history still remains on the radar screen despite seemingly going into the witness-protection program. He was a forgotten man after spring training last season. He went to camp as a favorite to pitch in the White Sox rotation but lost out to Esteban Loaiza and wasn't heard from again. Rauch turned in a solid Triple-A, recovering from a midseason sore shoulder--the same one he had operated on in 2001--to finish strong. He's not overpowering but gets seldom-seen arm angles from his height and has become a polished pitcher. His height causes his 91-92 fastball to appear harder than it is. He seems on top of hitters when he releases it. Rauch also has two above-average breaking balls and a decent changeup, but he must command of all his pitches to succeed. He's in the picture for a 2004 spot with the Sox, who praise his positive attitude. This will be a make-it-or-break-it year for Rauch, who's likely to be traded elsewhere if he doesn't secure a job in Chicago. -
Coming off shoulder surgery that sidelined him for most of 2001, Rauch inexplicably was pushed by the White Sox. GM Ken Williams erred by allowing him to win a big league job out of spring training, and manager Jerry Manuel exacerbated a bad situation by sitting him for two weeks in April without getting him into a game. Rauch didn't get into a rhythm until the second half. The tallest pitcher in major league history, Rauch parlays his height into unusual arm angles on all his pitches. He's seemingly on top of batters when he releases a pitch, allowing his 91-92 mph fastballs to look much harder. More than just a power pitcher, he has a smooth delivery and throws strikes with two above-average breaking balls. Rauch is something of a frontrunner, pitching very well when he hits on all cylinders but vulnerable to big innings. His control wasn't as sharp as it had been before surgery, though that may have been due to how he was handled. Unlike in 2002, Rauch goes to spring training believing he's ready to pitch in the big leagues. The prospect of that happening diminished when the White Sox traded for Bartolo Colon. It's more likely that he will be headed back to Triple-A, as Chicago may want him to get on a roll before turning to him again. -
Shoulder problems cost Rauch, Baseball America's 2000 Minor League Player of the Year, a chance to establish himself with the White Sox last season. He made six starts with Triple-A Charlotte before having surgery to clean out his shoulder. Otherwise he may have made the same kind of leap as fellow 2000 U.S. Olympians Ben Sheets and Roy Oswalt. Rauch is an inch taller than Randy Johnson and has unusual command for such a tall pitcher. His mechanics are solid and he locates his pitches well. His fastball should return to the mid-90s. Rauch complements it with two above-average breaking pitches and has made progress with his changeup. His height gives him arm angles that are foreign to hitters. He's a good athlete who moves around well, but he figures to have more trouble with comebackers and bunts than other pitchers. He has yet to establish his durability. Rauch is viewed as a future No. 1 starter but could need at least one season in Triple-A, or perhaps even back in Double-A, before making the jump to Chicago. His health will be watched closely until he re-establishes himself. -
While his big frame attracts attention, Rauch wasn't drafted out of high school and received only one Division I scholarship offer, a combination athletic/academic ride at Morehead State. He showed his potential as MVP of the wood-bat Shenandoah Valley League after his sophomore season, going 8-1, 1.69 with 126 strikeouts in 85 innings. Rauch slid in the 1999 draft after an unimpressive junior season, during which he dropped 50 pounds because of a bout with viral meningitis. The White Sox gambled $310,000 he would regain his form of the previous summer, and they hit the jackpot. Rauch, who at 6-foot-11 will become the tallest pitcher in big league history, was Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year in his first full season. He capped his season with 21 strikeouts and no walks in 11 innings for the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team. Rauch is a polished pitcher with the advantage of the unusual angles that result from his height. He only recently regained the 93-95 mph fastball he had before the meningitis. He sustains his velocity deep into games--he didn't have a fastball clocked below 91 mph in a 14-strikeout, two-hit shutout in his final minor league start in August. Hitters can't sit on the fastball because he has an above-average slider and curveball, both of which he throws for strikes. While many tall pitchers struggle with their mechanics, Rauch is fundamentally sound. He also has excellent control. Rauch didn't have a reliable changeup when he signed but has made progress developing one. Perhaps because he challenges every hitter, he's prone to giving up home runs. His durability is unproven, as his 177 innings (including the Olympics) were a career high. Rauch has the stuff to be a front-of-the-rotation starter. With youngsters Kip Wells and Jon Garland expected to open the season in the White Sox rotation, there's no reason to rush Rauch. He has pitched just 230 innings as a pro. He's likely to return to Double-A Birmingham, but it would be no big surprise if he spent most of the year at Triple-A Charlotte. He'll be promoted only if the Sox are positive he can help out down the stretch of a playoff race.
Minor League Top Prospects
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When the 6-foot-11 stringbean was promoted from high Class A Winston-Salem for the final six weeks of the Southern League season, many assumed the Barons simply were replacing one frontline starter with another. Little did they know Birmingham had saved the best until last. Rauch went 5-1 in eight SL appearances, seven of which were quality starts. Opponents batted just .179 against him, and his last outing before leaving for the Olympics was a two-hit shutout with 14 strikeouts. Like many tall pitchers, Rauch has plenty of velocity. His fastball is clocked in the mid-90, and his breaking stuff also is tough. Unlike many tall pitchers, he has very good mechanics and control, which is why he was so untouchable. -
All Rauch had to do to intimidate opposing hitters was step on the mound. At 6-foot-11, Rauch was the tallest player in the league, though he drew comparisons to Arizona's Randy Johnson for much more than his lanky frame. Rauch distinguished himself as one of the White Sox' most exciting young pitchers during his half-season in the Carolina League. His reputation grew after a promotion to Double-A, and he won Baseball America’s 2000 Minor League Player of the Year award. "That kid's tough," Cunningham said. "He's got a good arm and keeps his pitches down for the most part." Rauch throws in the mid-90s with above-average breaking stuff. Throw in his combination of size and control, and it’s easy to see why he’s so highly regarded. Rauch might have reached Chicago in September had he not been part of Team USA’s Olympic rotation. In 11 innings in Sydney, Rauch struck out 21.
Top 100 Rankings
Scouting Reports
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All Rauch had to do to intimidate opposing hitters was step on the mound. At 6-foot-11, Rauch was the tallest player in the league, though he drew comparisons to Arizona's Randy Johnson for much more than his lanky frame. Rauch distinguished himself as one of the White Sox' most exciting young pitchers during his half-season in the Carolina League. His reputation grew after a promotion to Double-A, and he won Baseball America’s 2000 Minor League Player of the Year award. "That kid's tough," Cunningham said. "He's got a good arm and keeps his pitches down for the most part." Rauch throws in the mid-90s with above-average breaking stuff. Throw in his combination of size and control, and it’s easy to see why he’s so highly regarded. Rauch might have reached Chicago in September had he not been part of Team USA’s Olympic rotation. In 11 innings in Sydney, Rauch struck out 21. -
When the 6-foot-11 stringbean was promoted from high Class A Winston-Salem for the final six weeks of the Southern League season, many assumed the Barons simply were replacing one frontline starter with another. Little did they know Birmingham had saved the best until last. Rauch went 5-1 in eight SL appearances, seven of which were quality starts. Opponents batted just .179 against him, and his last outing before leaving for the Olympics was a two-hit shutout with 14 strikeouts. Like many tall pitchers, Rauch has plenty of velocity. His fastball is clocked in the mid-90, and his breaking stuff also is tough. Unlike many tall pitchers, he has very good mechanics and control, which is why he was so untouchable.
