JEFFREY LOCKE

11/20/87; '06 2nd (Atlanta); Conway, NH (HS)
L/L; 6-2, 180

Level

W-L-Sv

BB/9

K/9

WHIP

OAVG

ERA

2006 R (Atl)

4-3-0

32.0

1.4

10.7

1.34

.299

4.22

2007 R+ (Atl)

7-1-1

61.0

1.2

10.9

0.92

.213

2.66

2008 A (Atl)

5-12-0

139.2

150

113

2.4

7.3

1.35

.269

4.06

2009 A+ (Atl)

1-4-0

45.2

5.1

8.5

1.60

.272

5.52

2009 A+

4-4-0

81.2

2.0

6.2

1.42

.305

4.08

Locke came to the Pirates with RHP Charlie Morton and CF Gorkys Hernandez in the hugely unpopular Nate McLouth trade. Baseball America ranked him as the 7th best prospect in the Braves' system going into 2009, despite a so-so 2008 season. They also rated him the 14th best prospect in the South Atlantic League for 2008. Locke throws his fastball at 91-94, with a good curve and developing change. His primary problem has been inconsistent mechanics, which probably account for his struggles in 2008-09, especially the control problems in the latter year. He's a groundball pitcher who's consistently kept the ball in the park and has been more effective against RH than LH hitters. It wouldn't be sensible to focus too much on his struggles the last two years, as he's continued to fan a decent number of hitters and, at the time of the trade, he was pitching in high A at age 21. Morton provides a good example of how HS pitchers, in particular, may not develop steadily and comfortably. Locke provides pitching upside to a system that's severely lacking in it.

After the trade, Locke continued his struggles, posting an ERA of 5.31 in June and July. He started turning things around in his last July start, however, and had an ERA of 2.58. His walk rate dropped dramatically with Lynchburg as the Pirates got him to focus more on throwing strikes. His K rate dropped significantly, but it was increasing again late in the year. After late-July one meltdown in which he failed to get out of the first inning, he went at least five innings in his last eight starts. He should move up to Altoona in 2010.

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