Roy Oswalt, Jake Peavy, Tim Hudson, Tom Glavine, & Scott Kazmir have a couple of things in common. Obviously, it’s a great group of pitchers. They have a combined record of 522-314 with an ERA of 3.38. However, they’re also linked because they’re all considered short for their position. All are listed at right around 6’0” – which is a little taller than average for a white male, but is shorter than most guys who toe the rubber every five days. There is a definite bias against short pitchers, but, as you can see, guys don’t have to be 6’5”, 230 lbs. to be successful.
If you’re interested in the MLB draft at all, you’ve surely heard about USC’s Ian Kennedy, Houston’s Brad Lincoln and UW’s Tim Lincecum. All three pitchers are short, right-handers who are putting up great numbers this season and will be drafted in the first round of baseball’s amateur draft. However, here are three other short pitchers who are flying…ahem…under the radar this season.
Mike Felix
Junior / LHP / 6’0”, 195 lbs. / Troy
|
GS |
CG |
W-L |
IP |
H |
ER |
ERA |
BB |
SO |
2B |
3B |
HR |
BAA |
|
6 |
1 |
6-2 |
72.2 |
58 |
23 |
2.85 |
30 |
98 |
6 |
0 |
3 |
.215 |
Drafted by the Indians in the 27th round of the 2003 draft, Felix decided to instead attend Auburn. As the first freshman to start for Auburn on Opening Day since Mark Chapman in 1984, Felix was decent his freshman season. However, after a coaching change at Auburn, Felix got into only seven games (started five) and pitched just 14.1 innings during his sophomore season. He transferred to Troy for the 2006 season and, so far, the short southpaw has been lights-out. He’s appeared in 20 games (starting six of them), but he’s pitched 72.2 innings and I’m guessing that he’ll be drafted as a starter…that is, if he’s not drafted as a position player. See, Felix plays the corner outfield positions when he’s not on the mound, and he’s currently hitting .380/.433/.602. His height and the fact that he’s pitching mainly in relief are probably strikes against him being selected as a pitcher. However, his good statistics and the fact that he’s left-handed are in his favor. We’ll have to wait and see…
Danny Ray Herrera
Junior / LHP / 5’7”, 145 lbs. / New Mexico
|
GS |
CG |
W-L |
IP |
H |
ER |
ERA |
BB |
SO |
2B |
3B |
HR |
BAA |
|
12 |
3 |
8-0 |
95.1 |
75 |
22 |
2.08 |
20 |
76 |
6 |
3 |
4 |
.220 |
While Herrera has pitched well, the number that stands out the most is, unfortunately, his height. I mean, Tim Lincecum from UW is putting up ridiculous numbers and scouts are still like, “Eh…I don’t know. He’s kind of…short.” Lincecum’s being discriminated against and he’s five inches taller than this guy! David Eckstein is listed as being 5’7”. Being left handed should help Herrera, and I’ll certainly be rooting for him, being that I’m a short guy myself. I think a team that can look over past his height will draft him in the later rounds.
Wes Roemer
Sophomore / RHP / 6’0”, 185 lbs. / Cal State Fullerton
|
GS |
CG |
W-L |
IP |
H |
ER |
ERA |
BB |
SO |
2B |
3B |
HR |
BAA |
|
12 |
2 |
8-1 |
92.2 |
59 |
15 |
1.46 |
3 |
88 |
16 |
2 |
2 |
.182 |
Holy crap…a 88/3 K/BB ratio? That’s freaking insane! Obviously Roemer can’t get drafted this year, because he’s a sophomore, but he’s certainly making a splash to be ranked highly next year. Baseball America ranked him as only the 46th-best sophomore coming into this season. He wasn’t drafted out of high school, probably because he’s small, but the numbers don’t lie – the kid can pitch! Roemer throws almost side-armed, and on his bio page on the Cal State Athletics web site, he lists his favorite baseball team as the Seattle Mariners!