Top 50 Jays Prospects, Jays Journal Edition: #1 Kyle Drabek

Next »

Everyone already knows who ranks at the top of our list, and he’s the same prospects that has been at the top of the majority of Jays prospects lists created. He is one of the best pitching prospects in all of MLB and should be a valuable addition to the Jays rotation in 2011. At the very top of the 4th best system in all of MLB, he is none other than….

#1: Kyle Jordan Drabek

Right-Handed Pitcher / 23 years old / 6’1″ 190 lbs

image courtesy of hackensackbulls.blogspot.com

Born: December 8th, 1987 in Victoria, Texas

Bats: Right   Throws: Right

High School Team: The Woodlands, Texas

College: NA

Drafted: by the Phillies in the 1st rd (18th overall) of the 2006 draft

Signed: for $1.55 million by Steve Cohen (Phillies)

Quick Facts:

  • His stuff is said to be even better than his dad’s, and although he may be a great athlete due to his father, it’s apparently his mother who gave Kyle his competitive edge as indicated in this Jerry Crasnick of ESPN article.
  • He readily admits to his competitive edge, as he was quoted as saying that “My brother and I had some real bad attitudes growing up,” and added “We were overly competitive.”
  • The Drabeks apparently live in a 17,100 square foot home. Must be nice!
  • He played short-stop as a 12-year old and throughout his high school days, always ranking well within the top players on his squad offensively speaking, as well as on the mound.
  • One interesting fact about his time in High School is that Kyle threw a knuckle-ball instead of a change up when he needed a different pitch to go to than his fastball and curve.
  • Pitched in the Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic in 2005, along with Matt Latos and Chris Tillman.
  • Also in 2005, the same year he was named the
Next »

FanSided Recommended Apps

Comments
  • Brendan

    Great Review

    I also agree with you thinking that Kyle could be an ace in the future because if he develops a changeup, then he is probably gonna be worthy of #1 consideration. If he can mature and throw quality fastball and curve strikes, we might be looking at an AJ burnett who reached his potential.

  • lolwut

    I also agree with the fact Drabek can be an ace. He’s got a good mid-90′s fastball and now he’s added a 2-seamer that can sink which is great. During his time up here, we all saw that Drabek had a good cutter which was surprising since I never knew he threw one but apparently learned it over the off-season so it’s still an work-in-progress pitch but it’s looking good. The change-up was meh but it only needs to be a decent pitch that be can throw once in a while. The curveball is clearly his best pitch and it’s great that he can command to be outside of the strike zone. I’m sure he can throw it for strikes more often but I think as he gains experience, he will use it more to get strikeouts.

    I’m happy with his progress and it’s going to be great to watch him grow up and hopefully become something great.

  • Andy

    Great job, I couldn’t wait for the next prospect to be listed…..now what am I going to look forward to? Oh yeah, opening day!

    Can’t wait for your draft list.

  • FenixL

    Honestly this was an unbelievable list. Fantastic job! Great quality on all the prsepts highlight and i can only imagine how much work it took. Give credit where credit is due, take a bow gentlemen.

    With regards to Drabek. I think a lot of scouts and fans underrate him. He will be a frontline starter in my mind (eventually). I loved what i saw from him last year, and i think he’ll only get better this year. He’s a fantatsic prospect to have in any system.

  • Keith

    Mat – Fantastic Job on this top 50 list! From the format to actual content this is by far the most comprehensive, detailed and enjoyable list to read. It’s so good, I’m sure there are scouts from other teams reading your articles to brush up on Jays prospects as deals are being discussed:)

    I also agree that Drabek will be a front line starter. But a great deal has to happen for him to be a true #1. However Halladay didn’t evolve into the front line starter he is without a ton of work and refinement. That said, I happen to see Drabek in the mold of a #2 as his fastball is at times too straight. Plus he has a history of having a high # of walks. Should he stop trying to be so fine and learn to rely on on his stuff and develop the change to be a true out pitch then he could evolve into an Ace.
    I could see this year being a year where there will still be a great deal of learning for the Jays starters. Plus I hope that this will finally be the year McGowan comes back (so far so good this spring). If they all stay healthy, next year will be TON of fun for the fans in this city. Imagine: Morrow/ Romero/ Drabek/ Cecil/ with Stewart or McGowan as your #5. That is the definition of “high ceiling”! All of these guys have the potential to be a #2 while Morrow & McGowan (pre-injury) have electric, ace like stuff.
    Mat while I am excited by Drabek’s potential, I also am in the camp that would not be surprised if the Jays do not bring him north to start the season. I could see the Jays (in this transition year) letting him start the season at AAA with Stewart. This would allow them to showcase Zep and Litch as starters where there value is highest. If Zep/ Litch perform to expectations, I definitely see the Jays using them in trades (hopefully with Rivera) by June. Teams to target would be the Cardinals, Indians, Mariners and even the Yankees. This really is a no lose situation for the the team as if Zep and Litch do not perform in the majors by June, they send them down and bring up Drabek. Plus by doing this they are slowing down Drabek’s MLB service clock in a transitional year.
    I don’t see the team we leave spring training with being the team that we have post all star break.

  • Mylegacy

    Mat and Jared – I’ve been “cutting and pasting” this amazing piece of work you two have done – my Microsoft Word copy is 217 pages long! 217 pages!!!

    BA’s 2011 Prospect Handbook covering all 30 years is 512 pages long – with 16 pages devoted to the Jays. Your Top 50 Prospects List is the BEST WORK I’ve ever seen! It is wonderful REPORTING and brilliantly INFORMED COMMENT.

    I can’t thank you enough.

    I can’t wait for your Top 625 Blue Jays Prospect list!!!!

    Seriously, WOW! :) :) :) !!!

  • Mylegacy

    Bugger – not “all 30 years” it should be “all 30 teams.”

    Man – you guys write 2`17 pages of brilliance and me – the moron – can’t write a lousy coupla paragraphs without muckin’ it up!!!

  • John Havok

    Matt, just wondering if you could put up a post with your entire top 50 list with links to each individual player article. Thanks in advance.

    • Mat Germain

      First and foremost, thanks to everyone who read and enjoyed the Top 50 posts. Jared and I took a lot of pride making them up and it is definitely worthwhile doing when you get so much positive feedback from it. We’re looking forward to continuing to push the envelope in all areas of Jays coverage though, so stay tuned!

      @John: Will do John! I’ll add it into the inaugural “Out in the Cold” series which will detail 25 Jays prospects that we see as potential Top 50 Candidates for mid-2011 or 2012.

      For now though, you can catch all of them at this link available within our pages:

      http://jaysjournal.com/prospects-affiliates/top-prospects/

      Hope that helps!

      Mat

  • Smithers

    Mat and Jared -

    Just wanted to second the sentiments of Mylegacy (and others), this was the most comprehensive, enjoyable series of reports on Blue Jays’ prospects that I’ve ever read – bar none. I picked up on the list (and site) in the mid-40′s of your countdown and was instantly hooked. Very informative, it really helped to but faces to the names that I’ve read in the minor league box scores, and to help get a feel for the prospects as flesh-and-blood people. Most of all it’s helped me appreciate how revitalized the system has become under AA’s new drafting, scouting and trading philosophies and how bright the future is. Is it 2013 yet???

    Keep up the great work!

    • Mat Germain

      Thanks very much Smithers, we appreciate it!

  • Pingback: Top 50 Jays Prospects, Jays Journal Edition, Reviewed « Jays Journal | A Toronto Blue Jays Blog

The Fansided Network is part of Sports Illustrated Sites.

Fansided Network is part of SI Digital Sites