James Paxton Scouting Report

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http://projectprospect.com/article/2011/11/13/james-paxton-scouting-report


James Paxton was selected 39th overall in the 2009 draft out of the
University of Kentucky by the Toronto Blue Jays, after slipping due to
signability issues. It came as no surprise that the Jays were unable to reach
an agreement the British Columbia native. Paxton was ruled inelgibile by the
NCAA for his senior season in 2010, which he ultimately spent pitching in
Indy ball for Grand Prairie of the American Association. He was selected in
the 4th round by the Seattle Mariners in the 2010 draft, finally reaching an
agreement on a $942,000 signing bonus (early 2nd round money) during spring
training in 2011.

Body

Paxton has a classic pitcher's build at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds. His frame is
long and lanky, allowing for flexible strength. The long limbs allow him to
release the ball closer to the plate than a shorter pitcher and to throw from
a sharper downhill angle than most pitchers -- Paxton’s angle is very sharp.
The one negative consequence of his size is that when he doesn't repeat, his
flaws become more exaggerated, like most tall, lanky pitchers. Paxton didn’t
’ repeat his delivery very well in the early parts of the game that I saw
him, though from the 4th inning on he was very sharp.

Fastball

Paxton used both a two seam and a four seam fastball, with the four seamer
showing some riding action (backspin creating the illusion of the ball
rising). Though the four seamer is mostly straight, he was able to control it
well at 94-96 MPH, occasionally touching 97. His two seamer showed short,
tight tailing action at 91-94. Both pitches are plus present pitches when his
delivery is in synch and he repeats well.

Breaking Ball

In the early innings Paxton’s curveball was not very good...at all. It sat
71-72 with soft spin. Though the shape was good and it had some depth, the
pitch showed no bite and he didn’t have very good feel for it. But from the
fourth inning on Paxton was a completely different pitcher, and it was most
obvious with his curveball. He not only found the feel for the pitch,
commanding it well and keeping it low, but the spin got much harder, causing
a sharp break. His curveball flashed plus potential at 76-78 MPH. If he can
be consistent with the pitch it will be a good number two offering in the big
leagues.

Paxton also threw a couple of sliders in the mid 80s. They were very
effective since hitters were not prepared for the pitch. It showed good tilt
and he threw it for strikes.

Changeup

Paxton has a changeup. That’s about the extent of the pitches merits. He
slows his arm considerably on the pitch and though it shows some fading
action, it is a major project at this point. Paxton threw his changeup at
79-81 MPH and tipped it by slowing his arm. If he can maintain his arm speed
on the changeup, hitters won’t be able to pick it up as quickly.
Additionally, the velocity should increase by a couple MPH, which will give
him a better speed differential from his mid-to-upper 90s fastball. The pitch
is below average at present but could over time develop into a solid-average
third or fourth pitch.

Summation

The Mariners have drafted extremely well the past few years and picks like
Paxton in the fourth round helped their farm system make tremendous strides
over the past few years. Paxton is raw for his age but he is also a rare
talent. If he is able to harness his raw stuff, he could wind up being a No.
1-2 caliber starter and be a important part of a great future Mariners
rotation. He could force his way up in 2012, but 2013 is a reasonable time to
expect him to solidify himself as a big leaguer.

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◆ From: 140.109.64.138
推 okinawa8:怎麼農場每個都是no.1-2 caliber   真的沒有灌水嗎XD
推 saurian:不這樣寫就沒人看了
推 lovejeely:目前農場天花板真的在1、2號的，就是Hultzen、Walker跟
→ lovejeely:Paxton了，如果說得更保守點，只有Hultzen是已經確定的
→ lovejeely:Paxton今年大爆走，但是AA局數還不多，而且BB/9也略嫌高
→ lovejeely:了點，Walker是已經具備成為一號先發的Package，但畢竟
→ lovejeely:只有一年完整職業，練投手也才不過兩年多，一個養成不順
→ lovejeely:就很可能整個毀掉，他們兩個都要再磨個一年才能肯定是否
→ lovejeely:養得出來，Robles去年開完刀後控球一整個爛掉，要不然他
→ lovejeely:                今
→ lovejeely:的資質跟Package應該也要落在二號投手的天花板的
推 l60km:不得不推碧潭大的專業>"< 像我這種小咖都只能撿大大長時間下
→ l60km:來的研究直接讀結論 真不應該XD
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推 Epsilon:大家太專業了
推 l60km:  專業的是把大家釣出來推文的E老大XDD
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推 DIorShi:          在這個版出沒的有誰不知道lovejeely=碧潭 *.^w
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推 ILER:              lovejeely只是個愛跳碧潭的鄉民
→ lovejeely:E老大你幹嘛婊小弟我啦Orz
推 Epsilon:季末熱鬧一下嘛。
推 lovejeely:說到熱鬧，老大你說想要版聚好久了，你啥時有空啊
→ lovejeely:看你Blog前一陣子好像常出國出差？
推 Epsilon:最近時間相對較多，但沒什麼新聞，感覺上沒動力....
推 jshuang:雄雄看成 碧潭版聚
推 mika0120:有人要跳碧潭的話碧潭版聚應該會很多人XD