Monday, February 18, 2008
Mets to Try Closer as Starter; Yankees' Igawa Tries to Make Team
"The Mets, down starting pitchers in the upper levels of the minors after trading Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra to the Twins for Johan Santana, will return UCLA closer Brant Rustich to a starter. The 6-foot-6 Rustich started as a college sophomore, then became the Bruins’ closer.Unlike Aaron Heilman, Rustich prefers the bullpen, but he now will get to hit. Rustich was so mesmerized by a team-issued bat with his name engraved on it yesterday that he took a close-up picture with his cell phone to send to his family. “This is the coolest thing about being here,” he said of the personalized lumber. “And you get to wear helmets with only one earflap. That’s awesome.”
Scouting report on him:
"Strengths: Healthy in pro ball, Rustich showed a premium fastball, sitting from 93-97 mph with late life. He pitches inside to righthanders and uses his size well, throwing downhill with his fastball and an 84-87 mph power slider with tilt. His changeup shows flashes of being an average pitch.
Weaknesses: Control was a huge problem before and after his finger injury, but Rustich threw strikes as a pro as he used his fastball more. His delivery can get out of whack easily. His splitter was a plus pitch before he got hurt, but he hasn’t thrown it much since the injury. His slider can be inconsistent.
The Future: Rustich has enough stuff to start, but the Mets most likely will have him join Eddie Kunz on the fast track as a reliever. Rustich could jump to Double-A in 2008."
In Yankee News SP Kei Igawa will reportedly try to make the team as a long reliever this spring, but does not seem likely to win the spot.
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