Drew Pomeranz

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Colorado Rockies #1 prospect in 2012
  In his first pro season in 2011, Pomeranz pitched for two organizations at three different levels, including the majors. He had set the career strikeout record at Mississippi and earned Southeastern Conference pitcher of the year honors in 2010, when the Indians made him the first college pitcher drafted (fifth overall). He was the centerpiece of the July deal in which Cleveland sent him and three other prospects (righthanders Alex White and Joe Gardner, first baseman/outfielder Matt McBride) to the Rockies for Ubaldo Jimenez. Because he couldn't be traded until the one-year anniversary of his signing for $2.65 million, Pomeranz had to spend two weeks in limbo at Cleveland's spring-training complex. He made his first appearance with his new organization at Double-A Tulsa on Aug. 17, 23 days after his last outing. With Colorado GM Dan O'Dowd and assistant GM Bill Geivett in the stands, Pomeranz went out and pitched six perfect innings before allowing two singles in the seventh. He had an emergency appendectomy three days later, then returned to throw three perfect innings in Tulsa's season finale. His 1.78 ERA would have led the minors if he had the innings to qualify. Pomeranz became the fifth player from the 2010 draft to reach the majors, working five scoreless innings against the Reds on Sept. 11 and pitching well in three of his four starts for the Rockies. They were pleased with the way he handled an eventful season but disappointed when he was arrested in mid-October for disturbing the peace in Oxford, Miss. Pomeranz threw a 91-95 mph fastball at the start of the season in the high Class A Carolina League, where he ranked as the top pitching prospect, but he was down to 87-92 mph by the time he joined the Rockies. His fastball still played well at the lower velocity, because he keeps it down in the zone and his size and long arms add deception to his delivery. When he's back at full strength, he should have a plus fastball. His curveball is his best swing-and-miss pitch, a tight hammer that likewise wasn't as sharp at the end of 2011. He's refining his changeup, but it has a chance to become a solid-average offering. Pomeranz's biggest need is to throw more strikes and locate his pitches with more precision. His delivery isn't the most fluid and has a stabbing motion in the back, which hampers his control and command at times. Unlike many young pitchers who overthrow when they get to the majors, he threw more strikes during his brief big league stint. Considering all the attention focused on him, Pomeranz also showed tremendous poise. He looked and acted like a major league pitcher despite lacking experience and his best stuff. Pomeranz will get the opportunity to make Colorado's rotation in spring training. At worst he'll begin the year at Triple-A Colorado Springs, but he likely wouldn't be there long. He has better stuff than most lefthanders and projects as a No. 2 starter.
• 
  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #4 prospect in 2011
  The younger brother of Cardinals 2003 third-round pick Stu Pomeranz, Drew almost signed with the Rangers out of high school as a 12th-rounder in 2007. He set the career strikeout record at Mississippi and was the 2010 Southeastern Conference pitcher of the year despite having to deal with a mild pectoral strain in May. He recovered to become the first college pitcher drafted in 2010, going No. 5 overall and signing for $2.65 million at the Aug. 16 deadline. Pomeranz has two plus pitches in his fastball and curveball. His fastball sits in the low 90s and touches 95 mph. It has good life and the deception in his delivery makes it tough to track the ball out of his hand. His breaking ball is even more devastating, a knucklecurve with hard 12-to-6 action. Pomeranz dominated college lineups when he threw his curve for strikes, though he still must to corral his control after walking 4.4 batters per nine innings as a junior. He has flashed a solidaverage changeup at times and will need to use it more as a pro. Pomeranz could follow the path of 2009 firstrounder Alex White, debuting in high Class A with the chance for a quick promotion to Double-A. He could be in Cleveland by 2012, profiling as a frontline starter if he improves his changeup, control and command.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Carolina League #2 prospect in 2011
  Pomeranz had enough polish and stuff to handle high Class A hitters in his pro debut, and to thrive after he moved on. His overall 1.78 ERA would have led the minor leagues if he had enough innings to qualify, but he was shut down for three weeks while waiting to officially become the player to be named in the Jimenez trade. Pomeranz has a 91-95 mph fastball that gets an added boost from his somewhat deceptive delivery. He can throw four-seamers by hitters up in the strike zone or sink two-seamers at their knees. His power curveball can be more devastating than his fastball, and some scouts project that his work-in-progress changeup eventually could give him a third plus pitch. His biggest weaknesses are his lack of command, though with his stuff Pomeranz needs control (the ability to throw strikes) more than precise command. He showed improvement as a pro after some struggles in his final season at.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #30 prospect in 2012
• Ranked Baseball America's #61 prospect in 2011

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: In his first pro season in 2011, Pomeranz pitched for two organizations at three different levels, including the majors. He had set the career strikeout record at Mississippi and earned Southeastern Conference pitcher of the year honors in 2010,. He was the centerpiece of the July deal in which Cleveland sent him and three other prospects (righthanders Alex White and Joe Gardner, first baseman/outfielder Matt McBride) to the Rockies for Ubaldo Jimenez. Because he couldn't officially be traded until the one-year anniversary of his signing for $2.65 million, Pomeranz had to spend two weeks in limbo at Cleveland's spring-training complex. He made his first appearance with his new organization at Double-A Tulsa on Aug. 17, 23 days after his last outing. Pomeranz calmly went out and pitched six perfect innings before allowing two singles in the seventh. He underwent an emergency appendectomy three days later, then returned to throw three perfect innings in Tulsa's season finale. His overall 1.78 ERA would have led the minors if his layoff hadn't cost him the innings he needed qualify. Pomeranz became the fifth player from the 2010 draft to reach the majors, working five scoreless innings against the Reds in his Sept. 11 debut. They were pleased with the way he handled an eventful season but disappointed when he was arrested in mid-October for disturbing the peace in Oxford, Miss. Scouting Report: Pomeranz threw a 91-95 mph fastball at the start of the season in the high Class A Carolina League, where he ranked as the top pitching prospect, but he was down to 87-92 mph by the time he joined the Rockies. His fastball still played well at the lower velocity, because he keeps it down in the zone and his size and long arms add deception to his delivery. When he's back at full strength, he should have a plus fastball going forward. His curveball is his best swing-and-miss pitch, a tight hammer that likewise wasn't as sharp at the end of 2011. He's still refining his changeup, but it has a chance to become a solid-average offering. Pomeranz's biggest need is to throw more strikes and locate his pitches with more precision. His delivery isn't the most fluid and has a stabbing motion in the back, which hampers his control and command at times. Unlike many young pitchers who overthrow when they first get to the majors, he actually threw more strikes during his brief big league stint than he had in the minors. Pomeranz looked and acted like a major league pitchers despite lacking experience and his best stuff. The Future: Pomeranz still can improve his changeup, control and command, but he'll get the opportunity to make Colorado's rotation in spring training. At worst he'll begin the year at Triple-A Colorado Springs. He has better stuff than most lefthanders and projects as an eventual No. 2 starter.