Colt Griffin
| IP | 373 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.802 |
| WHIP | 1.619 |
| BB/9 | 6.708 |
| SO/9 | 6.539 |
- Full name Jonathan Colt Griffin
- Born 09/29/1982 in Longview, TX
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Marshall
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Drafted in the 1st round (9th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2001 (signed for $2,400,000).
View Draft Report
Unknown before this season, Griffin became the most talked-about high school prospect in the country. Coming into this spring, he was mainly a first baseman/outfielder. He committed to Louisiana Tech and wasn't considered a huge catch, though one recruiter says he saw Griffin hit a homer 500 feet. Given a chance to pitch in Marshall's rotation, he had an audience of scouts for his second start--though they were there to see his opponent, Natchitoches (La.) High righthander Calvin Carpenter. Griffin, who threw 91 mph in sporadic outings in 2000, won them over immediately, throwing 98 mph as he unveiled a new high three-quarters arm angle. He became the first high school pitcher clocked at 100 mph, and there are reports that he reached 101. At this point, he's all fastball and body (6-foot-4, 220 pounds). His second pitch is a hard slider that's inconsistent. He'll need to develop better command and an offspeed pitch, and a two-seamer would give hitters something else to think about. No one can remember seeing a high school arm like Griffin's, which is why he won't last past the first 10 picks.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Griffin opens 2005 with plenty to prove if he's to remain in the organization's plans. The first documented high school pitcher to hit 100 mph, he parlayed his velocity into becoming the ninth overall pick in 2001 and signing for a $2.4 million bonus. Four years later, he's a middle reliever who has yet to have a winning season. Griffin still flashes that great fastball, as well as a plus slider that reaches 88 mph, but he never has found the strike zone consistently. Though he often dials down his fastball to 90-94 mph in hopes of improving his location, he still gives up too many walks and is too hittable. He has yet to show the ability to retain and apply instruction. The Royals are frustrated with his slow development, though they continue to praise his effort. He continued to search for a consistent release point in instructional league. He'll return to the Double-A bullpen this year, and his fastball-slider combination still could be lethal if he ever develops command. -
Griffin was set to play first base at Louisiana Tech before becoming the first documented high school pitcher to hit 100 mph. He rocketed into the first round and received a $2.4 million bonus. While he has struggled with mechanics and control, one scout who saw him in 2003 said he had never seen a power pitcher improve so much in one season. Griffin dialed down his velocity for more control and now pitches at 94 mph and tops out at 97. A hard-biting 87-89 mph slider that can tie up lefthanders inside gives him two plus-plus pitches. Burlington pitching coach Tom Burgmeier got Griffin to use a more consistent arm slot and shorter arm stroke on his delivery, which greatly improved his command. He must make more progress with his control after leading the minors in walks and finishing second in wild pitches (23). Kansas City isn't worried that his strikeout rates aren't as high as expected, as he has been told to concentrate on inducing weak contract. His changeup may never be an average pitch, but the Royals say he can succeed with just his fastball and slider. The Royals drafted Griffin knowing he was raw and a great deal of patience would be required. They feel good about his future after the strides he made. He'll pitch in high Class A this year and could shoot through the system if everything clicks. -
Griffin was recruited as a first baseman by Louisiana Tech before he was clocked at 98 mph in 2001. He became the first documented high school pitcher to reach 100 mph and parlayed that into a $2.4 million bonus. While Griffin can dial his fastball into the upper 90s with ease, he often doesn't know where it's going. He's trying to strike a balance between velocity and command, so he has abandoned his two-seamer and kept his four-seamer at 93-94 mph. His slider is a potentially dominant pitch once he develops a feel for it. He also employs a circle change. Griffin still has major control issues and finished fourth in the minors in walks in 2002. For all his stuff, he didn't miss many bats, either. He needs to hone his delivery and avoid overthrowing. His slider flattens out when he drops his elbow. Griffin could be a dominant starter if he harnesses his control. Or he could become a tremendous bust. Command will be his point of emphasis in high Class A in 2003. -
Until scouts went to see Natchitoches (La.) High righthander Calvin Carpenter pitch against Marshall (Texas) High last spring, Griffin wasn't even on the prospect radar screen. Then he threw 98 mph and attracted a huge following. After becoming the first documented high schooler to hit 100 mph, Griffin went ninth overall in the draft and signed for $2.4 million. Not only can he light up radar guns like few other pitchers, but the ball also comes out of his hand easily. He has a classic pitcher's body that still has room for projection, so he could throw even harder. The Royals expect his slider and changeup eventually will become major league average pitches. Griffin is raw and inexperienced. While everyone coveted his arm strength, some scouts worry that he prizes velocity more than movement. They also wonder how much aptitude he has for a breaking ball. He had no command when he reported to Spokane, though his summer-long layoff for negotiations was at least partly to blame. Griffin needs a lot of polish, so a return trip to Spokane may be in order. The Royals are willing to wait on an arm as special as his.
Minor League Top Prospects
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If Griffin could combine his stuff with Connolly's approach, he'd be at the top of this list. He led the minors in walks while repeating the MWL, but he's making progress. One scout said he never saw a power pitcher improve as much in one year as Griffin had. He's beginning to realize that sheer velocity isn't his ticket to the majors. After throwing 100 mph as a high school senior, he's more content to stay around the strike zone with a low-90s fastball. His slider has become much more consistent and his changeup is more dependable.
