Tyler Chatwood Stats & Scouting Report

IP	1
ERA	45
WHIP	6
BB/9	27
SO/9	0

Full name Tyler Cole Chatwood
Born 12/16/1989 in Redlands, CA
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Redlands East Valley
Debut 04/11/2011
Drafted in the 2nd round (74th overall) by the Los Angeles Angels in 2008 (signed for $547,000).

View Draft Report

Many scouts balk at Chatwood's shorter (5-foot-11), mature and non-projectable frame. His arm and tools, however, are hard to dismiss. Most scouts prefer him as a pitcher, and it's easy to see why. Chatwood's fastball sits in the 90-93 mph range, peaking at 94-95. He'll need to develop his 82 mph change, but Chatwood's curve is already a plus pitch, a 72-74 mph multi-plane kneebuckler that is easily his best offering. Many scouts see Chatwood as a somewhat smaller version of Roy Oswalt. In the past, Chatwood has dabbled in the infield, but his hands don't work well there. As an outfielder, he has a well-above-average arm and impressive 6.7 speed. Inconsistent at bat throughout the summer and fall showcase and scout ball season, Chatwood has now developed into a terror at the plate, showing both hitting ability and provocative power. If he makes it to UCLA, where he's committed, he should be a true two-way threat.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Angels lost their first-round pick in the 2008 draft after signing free agent Torii Hunter, but they made up for the deficit by selecting Chatwood in the second round and buying him out of a UCLA commitment for $547,000. Acute wildness was a problem early in his career, but he has cut his walk rate at each stop of the minors--though his strikeout rate also plummeted once he got to Double-A Arkansas in late June. At his best, Chatwood works with a mid-90s four-seam fastball and a mid-70s, knee-buckling curve. His heater runs in on the hands of righthanders, and when he keeps the ball down he generates plenty of groundouts. He started working in more low-90s two-seamers in 2010. He also made big strides with his changeup, which now rates as at least average. Chatwood toned down the stabbing action on the backswing in his delivery, reaping tangible gains in control. However, he still showed below-average command of his fastball and curve, too often missing up in the zone. Chatwood's plus stuff and aggressive style--"There's no quit in anything he does," one California League manager said--speak louder than his smallish stature. If he commands his pitches better, he profiles as a front-end starter. If not, he could thrive in a bullpen role.
A two-way standout in high school, Chatwood missed his sophomore season because he had surgery to tighten an elbow ligament. He played center field as a junior and returned the mound as a senior. Passing on a chance to play both ways at UCLA, he signed with the Angels for $547,000 as a second-round pick in 2008. Chatwood began last season in extended spring training so he could work on throwing strikes, but his competitiveness soon won out and he ended up making 24 starts for Cedar Rapids. He ranked fifth in the Midwest League in both strikeouts per nine innings (8.2) and opponent average (.237). Chatwood could have turned pro as a shortstop, and his athleticism should allow him to overcome the stigma of being a short righthander. He has electric arm strength, firing 92-94 mph riding fastballs and touching the mid-90s from his over-the-top arm slot. He'll drop in a mid-70s overhand curveball featuring depth and downward bite, giving him two plus pitches when he's going well. He struggles to command his stuff--including a below-average changeup--because he doesn't repeat his delivery. The Angels think Chatwood's best role will be as a starter, but he'll need to throw a lot more strikes. He's coachable with a bulldog demeanor, and he's ready for high Class A.
The Angels gave up their 2008 first-round pick as compensation for free agent Torii Hunter, making second- rounder Chatwood their top selection. He signed for $547,000, turning down the chance to play both ways at UCLA. Chatwood stands just 5-foot-11, short for a pitcher and not ideal for throwing on a downward plane. But there's no denying his arm strength, as he regularly touched 94 mph in his pro debut and hit 97 as an amateur. He also features a knee-buckling curveball, and his size and top two pitches have prompted comparisons to Roy Oswalt. Rookie-level Arizona League Angels pitching coach Trevor Wilson likened him to Jeff Brantley. To follow in Oswalt's and Brantley's footsteps and become an all-star, Chatwood will have to improve his changeup and command. He not only needs to harness his stuff but also needs to be more aggressive going after hitters. He has impressive athleticism and showed five-tool potential as an outfielder. Los Angeles has no plans to move him off the mound, however, though it may take things slow and let him spend 2009 at Rookie-level Orem.

Minor League Top Prospects

Chatwood needed two months to master Cal League hitters. A bulldog on the mound with two above-average pitches, he works off a heavy 90-95 mph fastball that touches 97 and bores in on hitters. His heater breaks bats and induces groundouts when down in the zone. Despite his size, Chatwood throws on a downhill plane and complements his fastball with a big-breaking mid-70s curveball, a knee-buckler that draws comparisons to that of a young Barry Zito. He rounds out his arsenal with an improved changeup. His biggest concern is learning to repeat his delivery, because he battles his control and command.
Chatwood was the Angels' first pick in the 2008 draft, going near the end of the second round. He was a two-way player in high school in southern California, and though he's just 5-foot-11, teams preferred him on the mound. He regularly touched 94 mph with his fastball in the AZL and also featured a knee-buckling curveball Chatwood was inconsistent in his pro debut, looking unhittable at times and struggling with his command at others. Angels pitching coach Trevor Wilson believed Chatwood's difficulties resulted from giving hitters too much credit instead of challenging them with his best pitches. He also needs to improve his changeup. "He's one of the harder-throwing smaller guys I've seen in my career," said Wilson, who compared Chatwood to one of his former teammates, Jeff Brantley. "When he gets relaxed, we're going to see a more polished pitcher."

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

Rated Best Curveball in the Los Angeles Angels in 2011
Rated Best Pitching Prospect in the California League in 2010
Rated Best Fastball in the California League in 2010

Career Transactions

Reno Aces released RHP Tyler Chatwood.
Reno Aces sent RHP Tyler Chatwood on a rehab assignment to ACL D-backs.
Reno Aces sent RHP Tyler Chatwood on a rehab assignment to ACL D-backs.
Reno Aces placed RHP Tyler Chatwood on the 7-day injured list.
RHP Tyler Chatwood assigned to Reno Aces.
Reno Aces activated RHP Tyler Chatwood.
Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent RHP Tyler Chatwood to a minor league contract.
RHP Tyler Chatwood assigned to ACL D-backs Black.
Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent RHP Tyler Chatwood to a minor league contract.
Indianapolis Indians released RHP Tyler Chatwood.
Indianapolis Indians activated RHP Tyler Chatwood from the 7-day injured list.
Indianapolis Indians sent RHP Tyler Chatwood on a rehab assignment to Bradenton Marauders.
Indianapolis Indians sent RHP Tyler Chatwood on a rehab assignment to Bradenton Marauders.
Indianapolis Indians placed RHP Tyler Chatwood on the 7-day injured list.
RHP Tyler Chatwood assigned to Indianapolis Indians.