Tim Lincecum Stats & Scouting Report

IP	1682
ERA	3.74
WHIP	1.293
BB/9	3.58
SO/9	9.289

Full name Timothy LeRoy Lincecum
Born 06/15/1984 in Bellevue, WA
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 170 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Washington
Debut 05/06/2007
Drafted in the 1st round (10th overall) by the San Francisco Giants in 2006 (signed for $2,025,000).

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Lincecum claims two important distinctions--he was the nation's most dominant strikeout artist in 2006, and its most unusual pitcher. As a freshman, he became the first player ever to be named both the Pacific-10 Conference's freshman of the year and pitcher of the year. Eligible for the draft as a sophomore, Lincecum didn't live up to the expectations he set for himself, which included a seven-figure signing bonus demand. The Indians took a flier on him in the 41st round, and made a run during the summer, when Lincecum led the Cape Cod League with a 0.64 ERA as a reliever, but did not sign him. After walking more than 150 batters in his first two seasons, Lincecum has adjusted, adding a slider and changeup to his repertoire. His fastball, already a plus pitch, improved a grade as he added nearly 15 pounds of muscle and has reached 98 mph this season, often sitting between 91-96. His power curveball already was one of the best in the country and has become more effective now that he also shows a slider he can throw for strikes. His changeup also has improved. Lincecum has a resilient arm; he throws constantly, often long-tossing the day after his starts. His unorthodox delivery has been described as resembling a pinwheel as he rocks back, makes his body do most of the work and seemingly brings his lightning-quick arm along for the ride. It gives him deception and tremendous stuff, and he has never complained of soreness or pain, nor has he missed a start. His delivery, resilient arm, size and stuff remind many scouts of Angels set-up man Scot Shields, and most scouts think Lincecum will thrive in a relief role. His present stuff rivals any pitcher in the draft, and he should move quickly. Lincecum's father helped develop his mechanics.

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When Lincecum was available with the 10th overall pick in the 2006 draft, the Giants felt like they had just won the lottery. A month earlier, they figured there was no chance Lincecum would last beyond the third or fourth pick. But while his size and unorthodox delivery scared off some organizations, San Francisco saw him as a once-in-a-decade talent who was ready to dominate major league hitters straight out of college. Lincecum was draft-eligible the year before as a 21-year-old sophomore, but his seven-figure bonus demands dropped him to the 42nd round and the Indians. Cleveland made a run at him after he led the Cape Cod League with a 0.69 ERA but wouldn't meet his price. Lincecum returned to the Huskies, won his second straight Pacific-10 Conference pitcher of the year award and led NCAA Division I in strikeouts (199) and strikeouts per nine innings (14.3). He also added the Golden Spikes Award a week before signing for $2.025 million, a club record for a drafted player. After a couple of tuneups with short-season Salem Keizer, Lincecum dominated at high Class A San Jose and struck out 10 over seven innings to win his lone playoff start. Lincecum throws a 91-96 mph fastball that tops out at 98. If that weren't enough, he also has a true hammer curveball that breaks early and keeps on breaking. Giants scouts believe he might have the best curve of any drafted player since Kerry Wood. He added a changeup during his Cape stint, and at times it's a swing-and-miss pitch that bottoms out at the plate. During the spring, he also unveiled a hard slider that he can throw for strikes. Lincecum's combination of stuff and deception makes him close to unhittable. He gains maximum leverage, belying his short stature, by over-rotating his body, using a high leg kick and then seemingly catapulting the ball with a lightning-quick over-the-top delivery. He almost leaps off the mound and his stride is so long that he appears to deliver the ball directly on top of hitters. He's incredibly strong for a pitcher his size, and some old-timers say he reminds them of Bob Feller or a righthanded Sandy Koufax because of his delivery and flexibility. That's no coincidence, because Lincecum's father watched Koufax pitch and taught his son to copy the Hall of Famer's mechanics. Lincecum's delivery requires incredible focus because he takes his eye off the target during his Kevin Brown-style turn. It also requires Cirque du Soleil-style athleticism and coordination to keep him on center to the plate. He can suffer through bouts with his command because of all the moving parts in his delivery. Lincecum logged 342 innings in his three seasons at Washington, frequently exceeding 120 pitches per start. While he claims to have never felt soreness in his arm, some scouts believe he's a breakdown waiting to happen. San Francisco doesn't share those fears, believing he generates his power through leverage and not by overtaxing his arm. He could be the devastating closer the Giants have lacked since Robb Nen injured his shoulder in 2002, but they say Lincecum will be a starter until he proves he can't handle the role. If he dominates, San Francisco will have a hard time keeping him off the Opening Day roster. He's more likely headed for Double-A until the club has a vacancy in the rotation.