Pomeranz Has Promise, Faults

Left-handed pitching prospects have always had a special place in the hearts of even the most hardened baseball souls, and as a result the rules for scouting pitchers greatly differ. 

Left-handers, unlike righties, can garner serious interest among the scouting community regardless of velocity and build.  The 6-foot-1, 180 pound Jeremy Sowers was selected sixth overall in the 2004 draft for his perceived ability to quickly move through the minors in spite of his 88-90 mph fastball. 

Tribe first rounder Drew Pomeranz, unlike the Jeremy Sowerses of the world, has generated enormous chatter among the scouting community for not being another ho-hum, run of the mill lefty.  At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, Pomeranz is an intimidating presence on the mound before he even unleashes a fastball.

The former Ole’ Miss star has all the makings of a frontline big league starter.  He complements his fastball that can touch 95 mph with an 80 mph knuckle-curve and an average changeup.

For all the potential Pomeranz has flashed throughout his amateur career – a 16 strikeout performance, a key member for Team USA, and All-America honors – he does have some noticeable red flags.

He struggles to maintain arm speed on his curveball and changeup by noticeably slowing his arm down prior to the pitch.  By doing so, it causes him to lose any deception by telegraphing his off speed pitches before they are thrown.  Amateur hitters may not have been able to capitalize on this mistake but bug leaguers will make him pay. 

Pomeranz, stereotypical of all lefties, does not have a strong feel for the strike zone.  He walked 49 batters in only 100.2 innings this season for the Rebels.  His command, which has been erratic throughout his collegiate career, may be fixed by making slight mechanical adjustments.

Prior to releasing the pitch, his front arm tends to become lazy and sweeps towards home plate rather than creating a straight line.  It forces him to take an indirect approach as he prepares to deliver the baseball.  Look for the Indians coaching staff to fine tune any mechanical errors prior to next season. 

The Indians made a smart choice by selecting the big lefty from Collierville, Tennessee in the first round.  Pomeranz has all the physical tools to become a successful Major League pitcher and look him to start the 2011 season in Kinston and move up to Double-A Akron by midseason.