The Stats
DOB: 05/03/1982
B-R/T-R
HT: 6-1 WT: 205 POS: RP
Frederick Keys/Bowie Baysox- (44 G, 0 GS, 45 ip, 2.60 ERA, 44 K, 28 BB, 1 HR, 2.00 GO/AO)
Background
Bob McCrory was a 4th round pick in 2003, but a series of injuries kept him from moving fast through the system. Like Jim Hoey last year, McCrory was finally healthy this season and moved through A-ball into the high minors.
Scouting Report
McCrory is a rare relief pitcher with four pitches. He throws a fastball that sits in the mid-90's and can reach the upper-90's with a ton of movement. He also has two breaking balls- a hard slider and a softer curve. Both pitches have good movement, but he uses them more as chase pitches and they're not often over the plate. McCrory also throws a changeup that he used more often this season and is also promising.
McCrory told ITW "“I throw a fastball; I’m usually sitting anywhere from 94-96, topping out at 97, 98. I actually throw a curveball and a slider. The slider’s usually around 84, 85. The curveball is in the low-80’s. And I throw a changeup that’s about 85 [MPH].”
Despite not getting a good downward plane, McCrory's pitches have so much life that batters have a tough time lifting them. His delivery has some effort to it, which is likely the reason he has had elbow issues in the past and keeps him in a relief role.
Timetable
Obviously, McCrory's biggest bugaboo is his mediocre command. He'll likely never have plus command because of how much his pitches move, but he can succeed without it. His ceiling is as a top-notch set-up man and he has an outside shot at breaking camp with the Orioles. More likely, he'll start out in Bowie or Norfolk and make his way to Baltimore by September.
Michael Hollman is the Senior Writer for Inside The Warehouse and can be reached via e-mail at Publisher@InsideTheWarehouse.com