Drafted in the 3rd round (86th overall) by the Houston Astros in 2001 (signed for $300,000).
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Saarloos to play pro ball after his junior year at Cal State Fullerton, but no team drafted him. So the 6-foot, 180-pound righthander joined Team USA and was spectacular as the team's closer, going 3-0, 0.34 with four saves. That performance, on a team full of first-round talent, ignited confidence in Saarloos. He had a senior season the equal of any pitcher in college baseball. He led the Big West Conference in almost every pitching category as the Titans entered regional play as the national No. 1 seed. He doesn't have the dominant stuff expected of a high-round pick, but he'll be drafted in the second or third round by a team that's looking for a bargain and someone who can move quickly. Saarloos' stuff has not changed much since last year, but he has become a master at keeping hitters off balance with an 86-88 mph fastball that has excellent sink and run, a fine slider and a changeup. More than one scout described Saarloos as Doug Jones with more velocity. He projects as a set-up man in pro ball.
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Saarloos never should be underestimated. He was a standout reliever in his first three seasons at Cal State Fullerton and wanted to sign as a junior, but he wasn't drafted in 2000. He responded by fashioning a 0.34 ERA as the closer on Team USA's college team that summer, then became a starter as a senior and finished among the NCAA Division I leaders in wins (15-2), ERA (2.18), innings (153) and strikeouts (153). He has an extremely resilient arm, and often would close games on Friday before starting on Sunday. Though Saarloos isn't the most physical pitcher--he's 6 feet tall and throws 86-88 mph--he gets outs. His fastball has plenty of sink, his slider is a plus pitch and his changeup is simply outstanding. He made a seamless transition from college to full-season ball, posting a 40-7 strikeout-walk ratio and holding hitters to a .165 average with one homer. Batters have a tough time picking up pitches from his low three-quarters delivery. Saarloos could go to Double-A as a reliever this year. If he gets a look as a starter, he'll return to low Class A.
Minor League Top Prospects
In a league full of big pitchers who could throw the ball in the mid-90s and beyond, the most effective pitcher was a guy who's barely 6 feet tall, rarely touches 90 mph with his fastball and wasn't drafted after his junior year of college. Saarloos was voted the league's outstanding pitcher even though he made just 13 starts and was promoted out of the league in June. His ERA easily would have led the league if he had enough innings to qualify, and he held TL hitters to a laughable .168 average. He ended the season in the Astros rotation, following Mark Prior as the second player from the 2001 draft to reach the majors. Saarloos succeeds with a lot of movement and a lot of deception. He can change speeds masterfully and puts the ball wherever he wants it, so batters rarely see the same pitch twice. His best pitch is his changeup. "He's a great argument for movement and location," Sisson said. "Our hitters were completely befuddled. It was like that Bugs Bunny cartoon where guys are swinging before the ball even gets there."
Best Tools List
Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the Texas League in 2002
Rated Best Control in the Texas League in 2002
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