September 3, 2014 at 9:39 AM
The Write-Up: Brandon Workman
In this
edition of The Write-Up, Chaz Fiorino provides a detailed scouting look at Brandon Workman.
Pitcher: Brandon Workman
Team: Pawtucket (AAA)Throws: R
DOB: 08/13/1988 (Age 26)
Height: 6-5
Weight: 225
Scout: Chaz Fiorino
Date Scouted: 08/29/14Stat line: 6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 108-68 Pitches-Strikes. 14/25 first pitch strikes. 8 swing-and-misses.
Physical Description: Tall, strong-framed, mature
body. Filled out throughout. Maxed out physically.
Arm/Delivery Mechanics: High three-quarters to overhand arm slot. No windup, stands square to the plate on rubber. Hands set at the
belt. Slight bounce in step with back leg as he pivots in front of rubber in
delivery. Brings arms up to head level with high leg kick. Short arm action in
back. Definite effort in delivery but was able to stay online and repeat
throughout.
Pitch
Present Future Velocity
Fastball 50 55 88-91
Comments: Most 87-89.
T91. Fairly straight. Pitched effectively on inner half with consistency.
Elevated with two strikes. Was not afraid to challenge hitters. Average to
above-average command and control. Pitch could play slightly above-average out
of the bullpen, where he is best
suited.
Cutter
50
50 85-86
Comments: Short,
late, horizontal cut. Average command and control.
Curveball 50 60 74-76
Comments: 12-to-6
with sharp break when he gets on top. Showed plus control starting it up in
zone and finishing down out of zone. Fringe-average command and struggled to
command in zone and to get hitters to chase. I have seen him command better in the
past, which allowed the pitch to play above-average.
Change 50 50 82-84
Comments: Threw
with solid arm speed and showed arm-side sink. Threw with confidence and was
able to steal a few strikes to start at-bats. Average command and control.
Summation: Workman
impressed with his ability to consistently pitch inside and establish the inner
part of the plate. This opened the outer half of the plate and allowed Workman
to throw the cutter off the outside part of the plate just off the barrel of right-handed
hitters. He was not afraid to elevate the fastball by design with two strikes,
and he had success doing so to pick up a few swing-and-misses. Threw a heavy
dose of curveballs and consistently buried the pitch out of the zone, but he failed
to locate within the zone and get any hitters to chase. I have seen better outings,
during which he was able to command the curveball in the zone, allowing the
pitch to play above-average with 12-to-6 overhand break. The change-up was an
effective fourth offering and allowed Workman to keep hitters guessing and
steal a few strikes early in the count.
Overall, I see Workman’s future best suited as a highly successful eighth-inning
arm out of the bullpen. In the short term, he can be a great depth starter who
can eat innings at the back end of a rotation and keep you in a ball game.
Given the effort in his delivery and his overall stuff, Workman would probably
have a hard time giving you 180-plus quality innings out of the rotation. His
best chance to stick with success is in relief, where his fastball can play up
in the 92-95 mph range and he can still successfully maintain his control and
command as we have seen in the past.
Photo credit: Brandon Workman by Kelly O'Connor
Chaz Fiorino is a Northeast Scout for SoxProspects.com. He is a graduate of
the MLB Scout Development Program. Follow him on Twitter @cbfiorino.