MATT CAPPS

9/3/83; '02 7th; Douglasville, GA (HS)
R/R; 6-2, 220

Level	W-L-Sv	G	GS	IP	H	BB	K	ERA
2002 R	1-0-1	7	0	13.0	13	6	8	0.69
2003 A+	0-0-0	1	1	5.0	3	4	5	5.40
2003 R	5-1-0	10	10	62.2	40	9	54	1.87
2004 A	2-3-0	12	8	42.0	82	16	27	10.07
2004 A-	3-5-0	11	11	65.0	84	4	33	4.85

Level	W-L-Sv	G	GS	IP	H	BB	K	ERA	OAVG	OOBP	OSLG
2005 NL	0-0-0	4	0	4.0	5	0	3	4.50	.333	.375	.400
2005 AA	0-2-7	17	0	20.0	21	1	26	2.70	.250	.259	.345
2005 A	3-4-14	35	0	53.2	47	5	39	2.52	.239	.262	.320

Capps was possibly the biggest surprise in the organization in 2005.  His career took a sharp downturn in 2004 before he even showed he could pitch successfully in full season ball, but by the end of 2005 he was in the majors.

Capps pitched and caught in HS, but was drafted strictly as a pitcher.  He reportedly was capable of throwing in the mid-90s when he was drafted, but the Pirates found him to be more effective throwing 91-93.  He was regarded as having good command of four pitches, with his changeup as his best pitch.  Capps didn't get in much work in 2002, but had an outstanding season for Bradenton in 2003 and was chosen as the league's 15th best prospect.  The Pirates started him at Hickory in 2004 and he was badly overmatched.  He allowed almost exactly two hits per IP and got bombed in nearly every outing.  When the NY-P season started he was sent down to Williamsport.  He showed some improvement, but still pitched poorly overall, getting hit hard and posting a low K rate.  The Pirates found that he would throw 93-94 early in a game, but that his velocity would consistently drop to the mid-80s after a few innings.  The only good sign was that he walked very few hitters.

Capps started 2005 in the Hickory bullpen and initially the results weren't a lot better.  After a while, however, he began pitching better, in particular getting his K rate much higher.  He eventually won the closer's job and earned a promotion to Altoona.  The Pirates may have rushed him in part due to the need to evaluate him for roster-decision purposes, as he would have been eligible for the Rule 5 draft after the season.  He shared the closing duties at Altoona and continued to pitch well, with an amazing K:BB ratio.  The Pirates added him to the 40-man roster and he made his major league debut in September.

The move to the bullpen helped Capps increase his velocity, as he now throws primarily fastballs and consistently hits 93-94.  His biggest need is to improve his offspeed stuff.  The Pirates also believe the bullpen move helped his confidence.  As the #s show, his control is exceptional.  It'll be interesting to see whether a guy who's around the plate as much as he is develops problems with gopher balls at higher levels.  There may be some evidence one way or the other soon, as Capps made the major league roster with a strong spring.

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