Tyler Cloyd Stats & Scouting Report

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If Darin Ruf's emergence was the most surprising Phillies prospect story in 2012, Cloyd's progress was a close second. The Phillies took a flier on him in the 18th round in 2008 at the suggestion of Nebraska-Omaha pitching coach Dan McGinn, even though Cloyd didn't pitch as a sophomore because of an academic suspension and spent the ensuing summer playing slow-pitch softball. Signed for $15,000, he moved slowly in pro ball until 2012. Slated to open the season in Double-A, he made an emergency appearance at Lehigh Valley and tossed six perfect innings while striking out eight. He was named International League pitcher of the week but still headed back to Reading. A month later he returned for good, earning IL pitcher of the year honors after leading the league in ERA (2.35) and WHIP (1.01) before getting called up for six major league starts at the end of the year. Cloyd knows who he is and what he's got, and he thrives not on stuff but on pitchability and command--the best in the system. His fastball sits at 85-89 mph, and he relies heavily on an 83-87 mph cutter. He also throws a changeup and curveball. Cloyd's margin for error is minimal. He has a ceiling of a poor man's Kyle Kendrick, and a chance to be No. 5 starter. Philadelphia will give him a chance to win a big league job out of spring training.

Cloyd was scheduled to begin 2012 back in Double-A, but he became Lehigh Valley's Opening Day starter after veteran Dave Bush was suspended for a spring-training brushback incident. Cloyd responded by throwing six perfect innings with eight strikeouts against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Sent back to Reading afterward, he returned to the IL a month later and went on to be the league's pitcher of the year, leading the IL in ERA (2.35) and WHIP (1.01). Cloyd dominated without dominant stuff and profiles as a fourth or fifth starter. As a pitchability righthander, his margin for error is small, and he'll have to sharpen his command to succeed in the majors. His fastball generally works at 86-89 mph, and it's notable more for his command of it and its downhill plane. Cloyd has two weapons with which to attack lefthanders, a solid changeup and a cutter. His average curveball has good spin and depth but lacks putaway power.