TOM GORZELANNY

7/12/82; '03 2nd; Triton (Ill.) JC
S/L; 6-3, 200

Level	W-L-Sv	G	GS	IP	H	BB	K	ERA
2003 A-	1-2-0	8	8	30.1	23	10	22	1.78
2004 A+	3-5-0	10	10	55.2	54	19	61	4.85
2004 A	7-2-0	16	15	93.0	63	34	106	2.23

Level	W-L-Sv	G	GS	IP	H	BB	K	ERA	OAVG	OOBP	OSLG
2005 NL	0-1-0	3	1	6.0	10	3	3	12.00	.357	.419	.571
2005 AA	8-5-0	23	23	129.2	114	46	124	3.26	.236	.307	.346

Gorzelanny had a breakout year in 2004, resulting in him being named the 13th best prospect in the SAL and 11th best in the Carolina League. He continued his success in 2005, eventually being added to the 40-man roster and making his major league debut.

When the Bucs drafted him, he was regarded as having a very good arm but was considered to be a project. He redshirted a year at the University of Kansas, then struggled during his first year of pitching. After leaving Kansas he went to junior college. He was throwing 91-94 early in 2003, but lost velocity as he had problems with his mechanics. With Williamsport he was very effective, although his K rate was a bit low. Thanks to improvements in his mechanics, his fastball returned to the 91-94 range. He was chosen the league's 10th best prospect and made a better impression on NY-P managers and scouts than #1 pick Paul Maholm. At Hickory in 2004 he was outstanding, with especially strong H/IP and K/IP #s, which are the best indicators of future success at higher levels. He threw consistently in the low 90s with good life, and reached 96 during the SAL All-Star Game. Gorzelanny earned a promotion to Lynchburg, where his #s were better than his ERA. He did get hit harder and had control problems at times, but he kept his K rate over one per IP. At the time, he was throwing five pitches: fastball, splitter, change, curve and slider. He pitched in relief for Altoona in the Eastern League playoffs and did very well, allowing only one run in 9 IP.

Gorzelanny was expected to open 2005 in the Altoona rotation, but he was shut down in camp when he came up with a sore shoulder. The same problem had bothered him before. Thankfully, an examination revealed no serious problem. He joined the Curve early in the season and had a good year, holding hitters to a 236/307/346 line and fanning just under a batter an inning. He was erratic at times, mainly with his control, as his mechanics still reportedly are inconsistent. Much of the time, however, he was dominant, most of all in his only playoff start, when he threw a complete game, 4-hit shutout, fanning 13 and walking none. Aside from his fastball, he showed a sometimes-devastating slider and an improved change. Gorzelanny should be in the Indianapolis rotation at the start of 2006 and would be in line for a callup during the season.

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