Today: TB Prospect Kyle Lobstein
His name sounds more like a sandlot taunt than a fearsome moniker for a pitcher, but lefthander Kyle Lobstein is anything but a soft-tosser. Lobstein was one of the best high school prospects available in the 2007 draft, thanks to his near MLB-ready mechanics and a polished collection of four pitches.
Lobstein is a good athlete with a slow-going demeanor that some scouts mistake for complacency. Also a basketball star in high school, Kyle seems to have the body and conditioning to handle high workloads, which means he's likely to remain a starter. Already, he's shown an ability to work deep into games with easy 90-92mph straight heat, mixing in a good cutter that breaks differently in order to keep hitters disoriented. He has Andy Pettitte upside.
As a 19 year old, it's reasonable to think that as he grows into his frame and learns some more pitching skill, he'll add a few miles per hour to that fastball, too. And if that's not enough, he has a solid circle change and an advanced 11-5 curve that projects as a real plus pitch. His easy delivery should make injuries less likely.
Lobstein is committed to college at Arizona, so if he doesn't sign with the Rays this year he should further develop into one of the top draft picks of 2011.
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