Clayton Blackburn: S.F. Giants Pitching Prospect a Sleeping Giant

Clayton Kershaw, meet your future rival in the National League West.

His name is Clayton Blackburn.

Blackburn is an exciting 19-year-old hurler climbing the ranks in the San Francisco Giants organization.

Still a relative unknown, this 6'3" 220-lb right-hander was selected by the Giants in the 16th round (507th overall) of the 2011 Amateur MLB Draft (per MILB.com).

A graduate of Edmond Santa Fey High School in Oklahoma, Blackburn is the Giants ninth ranked prospect. He currently pitches for the Augusta Green Jackets in the Class A South Atlantic League.

Now, I do not normally drool over the potential of prospects. But after doing research for an MLB piece on 10 MLB pitching prospects with sick K/BB ratios, I have found it hard not to see the blinding light potential in Blackburn.

Here are Blackburn's pitching stats with Augusta.

G	W	L	ERA	IP	H	ER	BB	SO	RATIO	AVG	WHIP
21	8	3	2.55	123.1	111	35	18	137	7.61	.235	1.05

In Blackburn's past 10 outings, he is 5-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 64 innings of work. He has whiffed 70 while walking, get this, six (11:61 K/BB ratio).

Blackburn, who does not turn 20 until January, is fresh off a 2011 Arizona Fall League campaign, where he posted a record of 3-1 with a 1.08 ERA in 33.1 innings.

Two years of minor league ball combined, Blackburn is 11-4 with a 2.25 ERA. His K/BB ratio in this time is a straight sick 7.95 (167K/21BB).

While it is still far too early to dub Blackburn the next great major league fireballer, Giants fans have to be excited about this ox of a pitcher.

And it goes to show, sometimes the best players that come along are not necessarily the most hyped.

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