Drafted in the 5th round (144th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 2006 (signed for $200,000).
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Ravin was dealing with health issues, which haven't required surgery but did sideline him for a month with a tired arm. He was recovering the velocity on his 89-91 mph fastball, which has touched 92-93 regularly in the past, and showing a decent changeup (which was better early in the year and last fall) and serviceable breaking ball. Ravin is considered signable.
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A teammate of Mike Moustakas' at Chatsworth (Calif.) High, Ravin was a senior when Moustakas was a junior. Everyone else from the Reds' 2006 draft class has either made the majors or has moved on, but Ravin keeps plugging away. He earned a spot on the 40-man roster after a season when he walked more than seven batters per nine innings, but he sat at 96-98 mph, touching 100 in the Arizona Fall League, and the Reds decided they couldn't risk leaving him unprotected. Ravin had a big curveball as a starter, and the Reds are trying to tighten it up now that he works out of the bullpen. His control problems revolve around his inconsistent delivery. Because he can't repeat it or maintain a consistent release point, the strike zone jumps around on him. An oblique strain that sidelined him last April and May didn't help, and injuries have been a continual problem, again in part because of his delivery. Ravin has reached Double-A, but he's unlikely to be a big league contributor unless he resolves his control problems. He has a six-year track record of not consistently throwing strikes, but if he figues it out he has electric stuff, so Cincinnati will give him another chance at Double-A Pensacola in 2013.
Ravin has been on scouts' radar for years as a member of Chatsworth (Calif.) High program that won back-to-back national championships in 2003 and 2004. But during his senior season in 2006 his velocity dropped to 89-91 as he was sidelined for a month with a tired arm. The Reds stuck with him, and after they signed him for $200,000, they found they were getting a better arm than he had shown in high school. Ravin sat at 90-94 mph and touched 96 with heavy life in the Gulf Coast League. He has a free and easy high three-quarters delivery with a durable pitcher's body that still has some projection, with a large frame and sloping shoulders. While his delivery is clean, like many young pitchers he doesn't always repeat it. His curveball and changeup are advanced for his age, but still have to be refined as he heads to full-season ball. He needs to learn to rely on them more. Expect to see him near the front of the Dayton rotation in 2007.
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