Nolan Sanburn to A's: Video Highlights, Scouting Report and Analysis

Position: RHP

Height/Weight: 6’1”/205 lbs

Bats/Throws: R/R

DOB: 7/21/1991

College: Arkansas

Year: SO

Sanburn asserted himself as a potential first-rounder with an excellent performance in the Northwoods League this past summer, where he garnered No. 1 prospect honors. 

His plus fastball is easily his best pitch, as it sits at 92-96 mph and has been clocked as high as 98.  He’s aggressive with its placement, working both sides of the plate, and generates a mixture of swing-and-misses and weak contact. 

His breaking ball is of the downer variety and he throws it with the same arm speed. However, he lacks an overall feel for the pitch. He also throws a changeup and the occasional slide piece, but neither flash the plus potential of his curve.

Sanburn has a muscular upper body and clean, repeatable mechanics that have allowed him to consistently improve his command over his college career. He’s primarily served as a late-inning reliever and closer, although he has both the stuff and durability to be a starter—something he's done four times this season for the Razorbacks.

Assuming that Sanburn will be developed as a reliever, it’s doubtful that he’ll reach the majors as fast as his classmates. Given the right-hander’s lack of experience and command issues, he could benefit from extra seasoning in the minor leagues. With that being said, Sanburn could still make his debut by mid-to-late 2014.