Jake Odorizzi

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #1 prospect in 2014
  Considered to be one of the top high school pitchers available in the 2008 draft, Odorizzi has been part of two major trades since signing with the Brewers as the 32nd overall pick for $1.06 million. At the end of 2010, shortly after ranking as Milwaukee's No. 1 prospect, Odorizzi was part of the four-player package the Brewers sent to the Royals for Zack Greinke. The Royals in December 2012 packaged Odorizzi with outfielder Wil Myers as part of the trade that sent James Shields to Kansas City. Odorizzi spent most of the 2013 season at Triple-A Durham and ranked third in the International League in strikeouts (124) and WHIP (1.13), second in opponent average (.225) and eighth in ERA (3.33). He concluded the minor league slate with 28 consecutive scoreless innings, with 14 coming in the IL playoffs for the Governors' Cup champion Bulls. Improved fastball command helped Odorizzi take the next big step in his development during the 2013 campaign. By working off his low-90s fastball with solid sinking action and armside run and using both sides of the plate, he was able to mix his three average-to-above secondary offerings to his advantage. He also upgraded his low-80s changeup to keep hitters off-balance while displaying better command of his low-80s slurvy slider and decent curveball. His slider is his best secondary offering, which borders on being an above-average pitch. He has added deception to his changeup by increasing his arm speed to make it closer to his fastball delivery. An excellent athlete who garnered attention as a high school shortstop and wide receiver, Odorizzi repeats his clean delivery with consistency. The ball comes out of his hand easily and makes his fastball appear even quicker. He is an excellent fielder with soft hands who moves well around the mound. Odorizzi has quick feet on his pickoff move but has struggled at times during his career to keep runners at bay. He has been able to maintain his velocity throughout his starts since signing and has held up well over the course of his first six professional seasons. Odorizzi has spent time in the big leagues in each of the past two seasons, and he made four spot starts for the Rays in 2013. With opportunity often right around the corner for deserving starters in Tampa Bay, he could see significant time in the major leagues in 2014. Based on the adjustments and the ongoing improvements with his secondary pitches he makes at the game's top level, Odorizzi could be a strong mid-rotation starter. Once he establishes himself in the big leagues, he should fit nicely in a Rays' long-term rotation behind Matt Moore, Chris Archer and Alex Cobb.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #5 prospect in 2013
  Since signing for $1.06 million as the 32nd overall pick in the 2008 draft, Odorizzi has been involved in two major trades. The Brewers included him with Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar and Jeremy Jeffress to get Zack Greinke from the Royals in December 2010, and Kansas City used him to acquire James Shields and Wade Davis from the Rays two years later. Odorizzi doesn't really have an out pitch, but his ability to throw four offerings for strikes makes him hard to hit. He works both sides of the plate with a fastball that sits at 89-92 mph, touches 94 and features nice sink. His curveball and slider are both average pitches, and his changeup has similar potential. Odorizzi will need more consistent control and command if he's going to thrive in the big leagues with average stuff. A star shortstop and wide receiver in high school, he's a good athlete who repeats his delivery well. Odorizzi is a longshot to make Tampa Bay's rotation in spring training, and he'll probably get some more time in Triple-A. He has a relatively low floor but his lack of plus stuff limits him to a ceiling as a No. 3 or 4 starter.
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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #4 prospect in 2012
  Odorizzi starred as a pitcher, shortstop and wide receiver in high school before Milwaukee made him the 32nd overall pick in the 2008 draft and signed him for $1.06 million. He swiftly blossomed into the Brewers' top pitching prospect before they packaged him with Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar and Jeremy Jeffress to acquire Zack Greinke and Yuniesky Betancourt from the Royals in December 2010. When he was in low Class A, Odorizzi's athleticism drew comparisons to Greinke's. Odorizzi sits at 91-93 mph and touches 95 with his fastball, which seems a little firmer because he has a slow, easy delivery with a quick finish. He misses a lot of bats with his heater, which has sinking and running action, and maintains its velocity deep into games. Odorizzi's curveball, slider and changeup all have the potential to be average. His curve has the most upside, and he throws his changeup with conviction. After his promotion to Double-A Northwest Arkansas last July, he tried to be too fine with his pitches, which led to more walks and deeper counts. Odorizzi could pitch his way to Triple-A with a dominant spring, but it's more likely that he'll return to Northwest Arkansas for a tuneup. He profiles as a No. 2 or 3 starter once he refines his secondary pitches.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #1 prospect in 2011
  The Brewers invested several early-round picks in pitchers in the 2008 draft, and went 1-for-5. Evan Frederickson (supplemental first round), Seth Lintz (second) and Cody Adams (second) all had ERAs of 5.93 or higher in 2010, and Josh Romanski (fourth) was released before throwing a pitch in pro ball. The lone success story from that crop is Odorizzi, who became the system's top prospect when Milwaukee traded second baseman Brett Lawrie to the Blue Jays for Shaun Marcum in December. Scouts first noticed Odorizzi because of his athleticism, which he put to good use as a pitcher, shortstop and all-league wide receiver at Highland (Ill.) High. When his fastball rose to the low 90s during his senior season, some clubs rated him as the top prep pitcher available. After drafting him 32nd overall and signing him for $1.06 million, the Brewers handled Odorizzi with care. He spent his first two pro seasons in Rookie ball, throwing a total of 68 innings. They turned him loose at low Class A Wisconsin last year, and he responded by leading the Midwest League in strikeouts per nine innings (10.1) and throwing the first eight innings of a combined no-hitter in his second-to-last start. Milwaukee named him its minor league pitcher of the year. Two scouts who saw Odorizzi pitch at Wisconsin described him as a lesser version of Zack Greinke. Odorizzi's excellent athleticism results in a clean delivery that he repeats easily, allowing him to fill the strike zone. He consistently commands a fastball that ranges from 89-95 mph and seems even quicker because he throws with such ease. He maintains his velocity deep into games, and his fastball also features good sinking and boring action that makes it difficult to lift. Odorizzi's fastball is so effective that he has been able to thrive without a secondary pitch that presently grades as plus. He's working on two different breaking balls. Scouts like his curveball better, saying it could develop into an above-average second pitch, and his slider is really more of a cutter. He shows some feel for a changeup, though he sometimes tips it off by slowing his arm speed. Odorizzi fields his position well, though he has to do a better job of holding runners after surrendering 16 steals in 20 attempts last year. He's built for durability and though he pitched nearly twice as many innings in 2010 as he had totaled the previous two seasons, he got stronger in the second half. He's extremely poised and confident on the mound. Though the Brewers constantly are seeking starting pitching, they won't rush Odorizzi, who will pitch this season at age 21. He still needs innings to refine his secondary pitches and his command, but his athleticism and feel for pitching should allow him to develop into a No. 2 or 3 starter in time. He'll begin 2011 at high Class A Brevard County, where pitchers usually flourish, and could find himself in Double-A Huntsville before the year out.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #9 prospect in 2010
  The Brewers liked Odorizzi's athleticism--which he put on display as a pitcher, shortstop and all-league wide receiver in high school--before signing him for $1.06 million as the 32nd overall pick in the 2008 draft. Some clubs rated him the best high school pitcher in that draft. Milwaukee has brought him along slowly, limiting him to 68 innings in two years of Rookie ball. Milwaukee believes Odorizzi will fill out and gain velocity as he matures. He currently pitches at 88-91 mph and touches 93 with his fastball, maintaining that zip throughout his outings. His free and easy delivery and good extension allow his heater to get in on hitters quickly, and it features good sink and armside run. He also features a curveball that's a plus pitch at times. He throws strikes and shows good poise and competitiveness. Odorizzi needs to continue refining his secondary pitches. His curveball is inconsistent, and his slider and changeup are less reliable. While he's consistently around the plate, he needs to do a better job of locating his pitches in the strike zone. If he adds velocity and improves his secondary offerings, Odorizzi could become a No. 2 or 3 starter. He'll probably begin 2010 at low Class A Wisconsin, with a chance for a midseason promotion.
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  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #11 prospect in 2009
  A fantastic athlete, Odorizzi also was a star shortstop for his high school team with a good bat, as well as an all-league wide receiver in football. Some teams rated him as the best prep pitcher in the 2008 draft, but the Brewers were able to get him with the No. 32 overall pick. They signed him away from a Louisville commitment for $1.06 million. Odorizzi pitched at 92-95 mph as a high school senior but didn't show that velocity in his pro debut. The Brewers attributed the dropoff to a dead-arm stage, and they limited him to 21 innings. He has a clean, repeatable delivery, which bodes well for his command going forward, and the ball seems to explode out of his hand, making his fastball even tougher to hit. Odorizzi's second pitch is a slider that still needs refinement. He also throws a curveball and has been working on his changeup. Concentrating solely on pitching should accelerate his progress, and he'll open his first full pro season in low Class A. His poise and drive may allow him to move quickly for a high school pitcher. With a plus fastball and potential for four solid pitches, he has the raw material to be a frontline starter.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked International League #15 prospect in 2013
  Odorizzi joined the Rays organization in the same offseason trade with the Royals that also yielded Wil Myers. He finished third in the IL with 124 strikeouts and a 1.13 WHIP while ranking eighth in the ERA race at 3.33. He closed the regular season with 14 scoreless innings and followed that up with 14 additional scoreless innings in the IL playoffs. Odorizzi doesn?t light up the radar gun, instead relying on mixing his pitches, which include a low-90s sinking fastball and three solid secondary offerings. He upsets hitters? timing with a Rays-trademark low-80s changeup but also a solid low-80s slider and average curveball. ?His fastball command came a long way,? Durham pitching coach Neil Allen said. ?He just has to understand his breaking stuff a little more. He doesn?t have to execute it perfectly to get by.?
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  Ranked Pacific Coast League #11 prospect in 2012
  Odorizzi has moved to the front of the pack of Royals pitching prospects after a strong season during which Omaha teammate Mike Montgomery regressed. Montgomery got rocked in the PCL for the second straight year, posting an ERA (5.69) nearly double that of Odorizzi (2.93) and earning a demotion to Double-A in mid-July. Odorizzi generates a lot of swings and misses with his fastball, throwing it at 90-92 mph and topping out at 94 while using a deceptively easy delivery. His secondary pitches need some refinement, though his curveball, slider and changeup are all effective. He attacks the zone and shows exceptional poise on the mound for a 22-year-old.
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  Ranked Carolina League #7 prospect in 2011
  Every year, Blue Rocks pitchers get a boost from the tough hitting environment of Wilmington's Frawley Stadium. Odorizzi was no exception, going 5-3, 1.93 at home and 0-1, 4.68 on the road, but he missed plenty of bats no matter where he pitched. When Odorizzi is at this best, he dominates with a 92-94 mph fastball that feature good riding life. He's not as effective pitching up in the zone when his heater sits at 90-91 mph. He has the makings of a solid three-pitch mix with a curveball that shows plus potential and a changeup that could use more separation from his fastball. Extremely athletic, Odorizzi repeats his delivery well and throws strikes easily. He has the upside of a No. 2 or 3 starter.
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  Ranked Texas League #5 prospect in 2011
  The Brewers' top prospect before he came to the Royals in the offseason Zack Greinke trade, Odorizzi pitched his way to Northwest Arkansas in July. While he lacked consistency as he adjusted to Double-A, he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of his final start. Odorizzi pitches at 92-94 mph with his fastball, touching 96 with good life. His knee-buckling curveball also should become an above-average pitch but isn't totally reliable yet. He also throws a slider and changeup that could be average pitches. Odorizzi throws strikes but likes to work up in the zone, which made him prone to homers against more advanced hitters. He'll have to sharpen his fastball command and refine his secondary pitches.
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  Ranked Midwest League #8 prospect in 2010
  The Brewers have struggled to develop pitchers, and premium 2009 draft picks Eric Arnett and Kyle Heckathorn underwhelmed MWL observers with their work in Wisconsin's rotation. But the Rattlers did have a keeper in Odorizzi, who led the league in strikeouts per nine innings (10.1) and threw the first eight innings of a no-hitter in his second-to-last start. Two scouts called him a lesser version of Zack Greinke. Odorizzi's fastball ranges from 89-95 mph with sinking and boring action, and he maintains his velocity deep into games. He's still settling on a breaking ball and scouts prefer his curveball, which has potential as a plus pitch, to his slider, which is more of a cutter. He has some feel for a changeup, though he's still looking for consistent arm speed when he throws it. A former all-league wide receiver at his Illinois high school, Odorizzi is athletic and has an easy, repeatable delivery. It allows him to throw strikes and get his pitches on hitters quicker than they expect. He also draws praise for his mound presence.
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  Ranked Pioneer League #2 prospect in 2009
  The 32nd overall pick in 2008, Odorizzi has spent his first two pro seasons in Rookie ball. That's not a reflection on his ability, because he has everything desired in a high school pitcher: a plus fastball, a chance for two average secondary pitches and a free and easy delivery. A natural athlete who also excelled in football as an amateur, he has room to fill out his lean 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame and add velocity. Odorizzi works downhill from a three-quarters arm slot, with his fastball ranging from 87-91 mph and touching 93 with sink and life to his arm side. He maintains his velocity deep into starts. Because he stays balanced and gets nice extension in his delivery, his heater gets on batters quickly. Odorizzi flashes a plus curveball, featuring occasional tight, late break, but it backs up on him too often at this stage. He mixes in a few sliders for variety and has inconsistent feel for his changeup.
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  Ranked Arizona Complex League #7 prospect in 2008
  The highest-drafted player (32nd overall) to qualify for this list, Odorizzi worked just 21 innings in the AZL as the Brewers worked their young pitchers in a tandem starting system. Like Montgomery, he has an advanced feel for pitching and a projectable body. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Odorizzi also starred as a shortstop and as a wide receiver in high school, and his athleticism enables him to throw with an easy, repeatable delivery. He hit 93 mph early in the summer before going through a dead-arm period that wasn't considered anything more than the result of adjusting to pro ball. His slider is his No. 2 pitch, and he also throws a curveball and has made progress with his changeup.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #67 prospect in 2014
• Ranked Baseball America's #92 prospect in 2013
• Ranked Baseball America's #68 prospect in 2012
• Ranked Baseball America's #69 prospect in 2011

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: While other Royals starting pitching prospects were faltering or succumbing to injuries in 2012, Odorizzi made progress and jumped to the majors in September. His arrival meant that all four of the players acquired in the December 2010 Zack Greinke trade--Odorizzi, Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar and Jeremy Jeffress--are big leaguers Scouting Report: Odorizzi doesn't have a true out pitch, but his ability to throw four offerings for strikes makes him hard to hit. He works both sides of the plate with a fastball that sits at 89-92 mph, touches 94 and features nice sink. His curveball and slider are both average pitches, and his changeup has similar potential. Odorizzi will need more consistent control and command if he's going to thrive in the big leagues with average stuff. He's a good athlete who repeats his delivery well. The Future: Odorizzi will head to spring training with a chance to make the Opening Day major league rotation. If his changeup and command need further refinement, he could see more time in Triple-A. He has a relatively high floor, though his lack of plus stuff limits him to a ceiling as a No. 3 or 4 starter.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Odorizzi starred as a pitcher, shortstop and wide receiver in high school before Milwaukee made him the 32nd overall pick in the 2008 draft and signed him for $1.06 million. He swiftly blossomed into the Brewers' top pitching prospect before they packaged him with Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar and Jeremy Jeffress to acquire Zack Greinke and Yuniesky Betancourt from the Royals in December 2010. Scouting Report: Odorizzi sits at 91-93 mph and touches 95 with his fastball, which seems a little firmer because he has a slow, easy delivery with a quick finish. He misses a lot of bats with his heater, which has sinking and running action, and he maintains its velocity deep into games. Odorizzi's curveball, slider and changeup all have the potential to be average. His curve has the most upside, and he throws his changeup with conviction. After his promotion to Double-A Northwest Arkansas last July, he tried to be too fine with his pitches, which led to more walks and deeper counts. The Future: Odorizzi could pitch his way to Triple-A with a dominant spring, but it's more likely that he'll return to Northwest Arkansas for a tuneup. He profiles as a No. 2 or 3 starter once he refines his secondary pitches.