October 22, 2012 at 8:00 AM
Top 40 Season in Review: Pat Light, Stolmy Pimentel
This week, we enter the top 20 as we continue counting down SoxProspects.com's end-of-season top 40 prospects.
#20: Pat Light, RHP
2012 Teams: Lowell Spinners
Final Stats: 0-2, 2.37 ERA, 30 K, 5 BB, 30 1/3 IP
Links
2012 Season in Review: After being selected with the 37th overall pick in the draft and signing for $1 million, $394,000 below slot, Light was assigned to Lowell. His innings and pitch counts were somewhat limited in the short-season league, averaging under three innings in his 12 starts. The results when he did pitch were promising, as he finished with a 2.37 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. Despite being somewhat raw for a college pitcher, he only walked five batters in his 30 innings, relying mostly on a mid-90s fastball and slider with plus potential. He showed a good ability to repeat his mechanics as well, especially for a player with his 6-foot-6 frame.
2013 Outlook: Light will likely begin the 2013 season in Greenville and the limitations on his innings and pitch counts will be loosened after a full spring training. At 6-foot-6' and 200 pounds, Light has room to fill out, and doing so without losing any athleticism will be an area he can focus on this off-season. He will continue on the path of a starter, but his ultimate landing place will depend on the development of his secondary pitches, including his changeup, which is behind his fastball and slider.
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#19: Stolmy Pimentel, RHP
2012 Teams: Portland Sea Dogs
Final Stats: 6-7, 4.59 ERA, 86 K, 42 BB, 155 2/3 IP
Links
2012 Season in Review: In 2012, Pimentel was coming off his worst season as a professional, one that saw him get demoted from Portland back to Salem. While 2012 was certainly a better year, he still was somewhat stuck in neutral, unable to build on a promising early career and take his game to the next level. He had games that flashed his potential, but his stiff delivery often led to command and control issues, and a high walk rate led to an ERA of 4.59 in 22 starts with the Sea Dogs.
2013 Outlook: Pimentel began his career as a tall, lanky kid, but has since filled out and is not as projectable as he once was. Because of the issues repeating his delivery it may be time for a move to the bullpen where Pimentel's stuff would likely play up and he could work from the stretch and simplify his mechanics. This transition could happen as soon as the start of the year, though they may give him one last shot to remain a starter before moving him into the bullpen. With just one option year remaining, he needs to show how he can add value to the major league roster by the end of the season, which may accelerate any potential move. Either way, that process should begin with a season-opening assignment to Pawtucket.
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Photo Credits: Pat Light by Dave Letizi; Stolmy Pimentel by Kelly O'Connor
Will Woodward is a Staff Writer for Sox Prospects. Follow him on Twitter @SPWill.