Bryan Price
| IP | 2 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 27 |
| WHIP | 4.5 |
| BB/9 | 4.5 |
| SO/9 | 4.5 |
- Full name Bryan Cole Price
- Born 11/13/1986 in Corpus Christi, TX
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Rice
- Debut 09/01/2014
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Drafted in the C-A round (45th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2008 (signed for $849,000).
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Along with Andrew Cashner and Zach Stewart, Price is one of three Texas college relievers who looks like a first-rounder on his best days. Though he had a durable 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame and a promising fastball, Price worked just 17 innings over his first two years at Rice because he lacked secondary pitches, command and mound presence. He started to make strides at the end of his sophomore season, and this spring he has consistently shown a 90-95 fastball with sink. His hard slider has topped out at 87 mph, though it has devolved into more of a slurve at times. His control still needs work but has improved. He has an intriguing changeup but doesn't trust it enough to use it much in games. Some teams are interested in trying Price as a starter, and he was lights out for five innings against Texas State in his one start this year. However, he walked three of the four batters he faced in his next appearance, a relief outing five days later. His lack of a track record is a concern, though he'll probably go in the sandwich to second round.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Price was a reliever at Rice, but the Red Sox signed him for $849,000 as a supplemental first-round pick in 2008 and began to develop him as a starter. He reached high Class A before Boston included him with Justin Masterson and Nick Hagadone in a trade for Victor Martinez last July. Price has a long, strong, angular body with long arms and fingers, and he mostly pitches off his strong fastball/slider combination. His fastball comes in the low 90s, and while it can be a little straight, he has made strides locating the pitch. His plus slider is his best offering, with hard, tight spin and downward angle that's tough for hitters to pick up. Price mixed in a curveball every now and then while with the Red Sox, though he mostly shelved the pitch to work on his mechanics and fastball location down in the zone. He's still trying to find a solid third pitch, as his changeup isn't a reliable weapon against lefthanders yet. Price has good arm action and a smooth delivery that he repeats. He might end up in the bullpen down the road, though the Indians plan to exhaust his options as a starter. He should make the jump to Double-A in 2010. -
Despite his imposing size and fastball, Price barely got on the mound in his first two years at Rice, pitching just 17 innings because he lacked secondary pitches, command and confidence. He blossomed as a setup man last spring, however, pitching his way into the supplemental first round and earning an $849,000 bonus. He made nine starts in his pro debut--four more than he had in his college career--and the Red Sox will develop him as a rotation candidate. When he maintains a consistent delivery, Price can overmatch hitters with his fastball and slider. His heater ranges from 90-95 mph with sink and armside run. His slider can reach 87 mph with good tilt. He also has some feel for a changeup, though he's still learning to trust it in games. He's still in the process of harnessing his stuff. He doesn't always repeat his mechanics, costing him velocity, life and control of his pitches. Boston is trying to get him to stay more under control and develop more extension out front. Worn out at the end of the summer, Price focused on strength and conditioning during instructional league. He should open 2009 in Greenville's rotation, though he could move quickly as a reliever.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Price always had an electric arm, but his poor command and lack of feel for pitching limited him to 17 innings over his first two seasons at Rice. He started to harness his arm last spring and showed enough to convince the Red Sox to draft him in the supplemental first round. His best pitch is a heavy fastball that tops out at 95 mph and bores in on righthanders. He commanded it well this summer and complemented it with a hard slider has reached 87 mph and has a chance to be another plus offering. He tried to develop a changeup this summer, but it's still a work in progress. Though Price racks up strikeouts, he still gives up more hits than someone with his stuff should, as NY-P opponents batted .281 against him. He seemed to wear down at the end of the summer, as his ERA climbed from 1.40 to 3.83 over his final four starts. With some more strength and polish, he could blossom into dominant late-inning reliever or maybe an upper-end starter. The Red Sox plan to leave him in the rotation, at least for now.
