KYLE BLOOM

2/21/83; '04 5th; Illinois State Univ.
R/L; 6-4, 185

Level	W-L-Sv	G	GS	IP	H	BB	K	ERA
2004 NCAA	6-6-0	13	13	75.0	68	33	85	4.80
2004 A-	4-3-0	12	12	45.0	34	13	46	2.60

Level	W-L-Sv	G	GS	IP	H	BB	K	ERA	OAVG	OOBP	OSLG
2005 A+	3-5-0	12	12	63.0	61	43	34	5.86	.255	.374	.481
2005 A	4-1-0	12	12	62.2	38	33	58	1.87	.176	.290	.278

At the time he was drafted, Bloom was regarded as having three good pitches, but as having difficulty getting them to work well. He throws a high-80s fastball on a downward plane, a good curve, and a solid change. His inconsistency resulted in a mediocre college record. The Pirates were very successful in helping Tom Gorzelanny, another LHP who was considered erratic, in developing his command, so Bloom seemed like a good project for them. The initial results were excellent, as Bloom put up very strong numbers at Williamsport, then continued to do so in the first half of 2005 at Hickory. Opponents batted only .176 against him in the SAL, but the warning sign was shaky control. In fact, he had enough trouble throwing strikes that he frequently had to come out of games early due to high pitch counts. This partly accounts for him having no-decisions in most of his starts despite allowing very few runs. After a mid-season promotion to Lynchburg, Bloom could not throw strikes and his K rate also plummeted. He'll probably return to Lynchburg to try to straighten out his delivery and control in 2006.

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