Zack Dodson
| IP | 884 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.459 |
| WHIP | 1.421 |
| BB/9 | 3.085 |
| SO/9 | 5.63 |
- Full name Zackry Don Dodson
- Born 07/23/1990 in San Antonio, TX
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Medina Valley
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Drafted in the 4th round (115th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009 (signed for $600,000).
View Draft Report
Baylor's top recruit, lefthander Zach Dodson, likely will make it to school because he has a seven-figure asking price. He has been inconsistent this spring, but when he has his mechanics in sync he can hit 91-92 mph with his fastball and demonstrates a solid curveball and the makings of a change. He's not big at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, so he generates velocity with some effort in his high three-quarters delivery. He's also a good athlete whose lefty bat also could help the Bears, and they should be able to smooth him out.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Dodson was one of four high school pitchers paid above-slot bonuses by the Pirates in the 2009 draft, getting $600,000 to walk away from a Baylor scholarship. A two-way star, he went 10-0, 1.20 and hit 11 homers as a high school senior. Dodson isn't as physical as some of Pittsburgh's other pitching prospects, but his athleticism and arm speed allow him to run his fastball up to 94 mph. He generally sits at 88-91 mph with his heater, which features nice life that makes it difficult for hitters to square up. He also has a solid curveball that's getting better, and the next item on his agenda is to develop a more reliable changeup. Dodson's mechanics sometimes lose consistency, but when he keeps his delivery contact, he's able to pound the strike zone. He missed two months in 2011 with a broken pitching hand, though he returned to go 4-1, 1.97 in the final month in low Class A. A possible No. 3 or 4 starter, Dodson has pitched just 152 innings since signing but may approach that total in high Class A this year. -
Dodson was Baylor's top recruit in 2009, and many scouts expected him to get to school because of his reported seven-figure asking price. He likely would have been a two-way player in college and is a good athlete who swings a lefthanded bat, but the Pirates took him in the fourth round and were able to sign him for $600,000. Not much about his numbers jumped out in his first real action, particularly given the contact he gave up and occasional lack of control. But his stuff shows signs of being able to grow into much more. He throws a consistent 88-92 mph fastball, and it comes out of his hand easily enough that scouts think more is there. Hitters seldom squared up on his heat. His delivery, arm action and athleticism also contribute to his projection, through he does need some effort to generate velocity with his three-quarters delivery. The timing and compact nature of the delivery need occasional maintenance, but that is to be expected of someone so young. Dodson also shows a promising curveball with 12-to-6 movement, as well as a fringy changeup. He will remain in a starting role and will move into full-season ball at West Virginia.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Dodson pitched one inning in the Gulf Coast League last summer after signing for $600,000 and passing up a scholarship to Baylor. He showed flashes of promise in his first full pro season as a member of State College's talented young rotation. Dodson throws downhill with an 88-92 mph fastball from the left side, and hitters simply don't square him up often. The ball comes out of his hand easily, giving plenty of reason to believe he'll add velocity as he matures. He flashes a very promising curveball with 12-to-6 action, but he's still learning to throw it properly with consistency. He also has a fringy changeup that has a chance to be above-average down the road, giving Dodson the makings of three average or better pitches. He still has a long way to go, as he must learn to repeat his delivery and improve his command.
