Today: TB Prospect Mitch Talbot
Mitch Talbot is a right handed pitcher on the verge of an MLB career in the Tampa Bay Rays system. Originally drafted by Houston in the second round of the 2002 MLB draft (out of Canyon View High School in Utah), Talbot was traded to the Rays as part of the 2006 deal that netted Houston a short-term rental of Aubrey Huff.
While in the Appy League with Houston, Talbot posted a 4-4 record and 2.83 ERA as a 19-year old. As a full-season starter in high-A Salem in 2005, he struck out an even 100 batters in 151 innings while maintaining a 4.34 ERA. As he's moved up each step of the minor league ladder, Talbot's strikeout rate has dropped, but he's been able to make adjustments and improve it back to his usual 8 per nine innings after some learning.
Since being traded to Tampa, he's been used as a starter (he's made more than fifty starts at AAA Durham Bulls), though the depth of the Rays system might make him a better bet as a long reliever.
| Yr | Tm | Lg | Age | Lvl | W | L | ERA | G | GS | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | HR9 | K/9 | WHIP |
| 2003 | Martinsville | App | 19 | R | 4 | 4 | 2.83 | 12 | 12 | 54.0 | 45 | 26 | 17 | 1 | 11 | 46 | 0.17 | 7.67 | 1.04 |
| 2005 | Salem | Caro | 21 | A+ | 8 | 11 | 4.34 | 27 | 27 | 151.1 | 169 | 90 | 73 | 15 | 46 | 100 | 0.89 | 5.95 | 1.42 |
| 2006 | Corpus Christi | Tex | 22 | AA | 6 | 4 | 3.39 | 18 | 17 | 90.1 | 94 | 49 | 34 | 4 | 29 | 96 | 0.40 | 9.56 | 1.36 |
| 2006 | Montgomery | Sou | 22 | AA | 4 | 3 | 1.90 | 10 | 10 | 66.1 | 51 | 16 | 14 | 2 | 18 | 59 | 0.27 | 8.01 | 1.04 |
| 2007 | Durham | IL | 23 | AAA | 13 | 9 | 4.53 | 29 | 29 | 161.0 | 169 | 89 | 81 | 13 | 59 | 124 | 0.73 | 6.93 | 1.42 |
Talbot's main pitch is a 92mph fastball that can reach 96mph for short periods of time, with dangerous late movement. His change, rated as the best in the Astros' system back in 2006, is big-league ready today. He's also added a curve that's better than average, a cut version of his fastball that comes with less speed but even more movement, and a slider that he's still learning to control.
Talbot had some run-ins with coaches early in his pro career, showing a bit too much passion for his own good. He often let batters get into his head, and could be driven to distraction quite easily. These issues seem to have faded in the last two years, though, so they might not impede his future progress.
Tampa's system is deep in starting pitching, so while Talbot might have been the Astros' number one pitching prospect today, he's probably only number four in Tampa. Still, his advanced experience and variety of pitches could help him get a shot in the majors sooner than the younger pitchers, even if his raw talent lags behind.
Update: Working in Durham, Talbot's put up good numbers, with 104 strikeouts in 123 innings and a 10-7 record. He's on the big league Rays' depth chart as an emegency starter who could see action later this year, but with David Price and others ahead of him long-term, he's more likely to see long-relief or mop-up work in 2008.
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