MIKE CONNOLLY

6/2/82; '00 19th; Oneonta, NY (HS)
L/L; 5-11, 175

Level	W-L-Sv	G	GS	IP	H	BB	K	ERA
2000 R	1-2-2	11	0	19.2	20	6	25	2.29
2001 A	11-7-0	33	15	121.0	116	41	107	3.94
2002 A+	10-3-0	29	19	122.1	111	46	100	2.94
2003 AA	7-8-0	25	23	127.1	123	38	90	3.39
2004 AA	8-7-0	21	21	112.2	124	41	103	4.71

Level	W-L-Sv	G	GS	IP	H	BB	K	ERA	OAVG	OOBP	OSLG
2005 AAA	2-4-0	13	13	71.1	74	29	44	4.42	.268	.343	.428
2005 AA	5-6-0	15	15	84.0	90	24	60	3.32	.271	.321	.367

Connolly bounced back fairly well from a disappointing season in 2004. He initially advanced very quickly through the organization. Like Sean Burnett, he was able to pitch well in AA in 2003 at a very young age; he's less than four months older than Burnett. He throws mainly in the high 80s, occasionally hitting the low 90s; his best pitch is a curve. The Pirates have compared him to Mike Stanton. He was used as a swing man until 2003, when he stayed in the Altoona rotation all year, except for a brief stretch when he was hurt. He struggled in the early part of the year, giving up a number of HRs, but he was consistently good in the second half. Like Burnett, he doesn't dominate hitters, although his K rate was a good deal higher than Burnett's. Despite his strong performance, he was returned to Altoona in 2004, a good indication that the Pirates had doubts about how high his ceiling might be. He didn't have a good year, getting bombed early and remaining erratic throughout the season. His K rate actually was very good, but he got hit harder and also had more trouble with his control. Eventually he went on the DL and had arthroscopic surgery to remove a loose body from his elbow, so it's possible that elbow problems caused his weak season. He struggled early in 2005, but pitched better as the season wore on, showing good control and allowing very few HRs (4), although his K rate was a bit low. He won a promotion to AAA, where he got bombed initially but came around very well after a few starts. His K rate remained low, so there's still a question whether he has the stuff to get major league hitters out. Connolly will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft for the second time. It's not completely out of the realm of possibility that somebody could give him a chance as a reliever. Otherwise, he should be in the Indianapolis rotation in 2006.

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