Written by Greg Fertel
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06 February 2008
- Age: 25
- Height: 6'1"
- Weight: 195 lbs
- Position: Starting Pitcher
- Throws: Right
Scouting Report: Daniel McCutchen throws a solid if unspectacular 92 mph fastball. He backs it up with a solid curveball and splitter combination. His control has improved considerably since moving to the starting rotation in college. Previously an above-average control guy, he's now managed to compile a BB/9 of 2.04 in 172 minor league innings. Basically, he's got above average stuff and emerging plus control. The pick knock against him is a lack of a true out pitch - neither his curveball or splitter are true strikeout weapons.
History: McCutchen got a late start to his baseball career. He started college ball in 2002 with division II Central Oklahoma. He transfered to the University of Oklahoma, but was forced to sit out in 2003. He spent 2004 and 2005 in the bullpen, and in 2006 he was finally given a chance as a starting pitcher. As a result, his 4th-5th round stuff went mostly unnoticed on draft day, and the Yankees grabbed him in the 13th round. He pitched very well after signing, throwing 29 innings between Staten Island and Charleston, allowing just 6 earned runs on 29 strikeouts and 6 walks. However, he was suspended for 50 games following a violation of baseballs drug policy. McCutchen tested positive for a prescription amphetamine. The suspension continued into 2007.
This Season: McCutchen missed the first three weeks of the season serving the tail send of his suspension. He hit the ground running in Tampa - pitching 101 innings with a 2.50 ERA, 1.87 BB/9, 5.97 K/9, and 0.62 HR/9. He handled right handed hitters and left handed hitters equally well. Despite the low strikeout rate, the Yankees promoted him to Trenton, where he continued to flourish. In 41 innings, he posted an ERA of 2.41, with 2.63 BB/9, 7.90 K/9, and 0.44 HR/9.
Edit - Reader Connor just noted that McCutchen's strikeout rate was depressed because he was working on a changeup in Tampa and not using his curve.
Outlook and Movement: You could make a case that McCutchen deserves to start the year with Scranton, but the crowded Yankee rotation there will keep him at Double-A to start the year. If I were designing the Yankee depth chart, he'd probably be #5 on the call up priority list (behind Horne, Igawa, Marquez, and White), even at Double-A. If his past performance is any indicator, McCutchen should be knocking at the big league door very quickly. He'll be in spring training this year. There is some speculation that due to the Yankee rotation depth, McCutchen could be converted to the bullpen.
Ranking: Rightfully skeptical before this season, Eric and I have both bought in to what McCutchen is selling. I have at #12 while Eric has him at #14. Ashish however did not rank him at all. Despite the rumors, I think that McCutchen can and will remain in the rotation. His only concern right now should be a relatively low strikeout rate, although he alleviated a lot of those concerns in Trenton this year. The man has done nothing but eat innings and not allow runs since his super-senior year in college. He doesn't have the traditional curses that force a pitcher to be converted to the bullpen - poor control, poor endurance, or hitters figuring him out after the 2nd time through the order. The Yankees have previously shown reluctance to convert a successful starting pitcher to the bullpen regardless of supply with Chase Wright and Steve White, although McCutchen is on another level from them. Of the "lesser three" (McCutchen, Marquez, and Horne) Yankee high-level group of young pitchers, he probably has the fewest questions surrounding him. I have a feeling that I've underrated him considerably by placing him at #12, and would probably have him higher than Marquez if he were 22 instead of 25.
