HUNTER STRICKLAND

9/24/88; '07 18th (Boston); Zebulon, GA (HS)
R/R; 6-5, 200

Level

W-L-Sv

BB/9

K/9

WHIP

OAVG

ERA

2007 R (Bos)

0-2-0

25.1

1.4

7.8

1.74

.357

6.04

2008 A- (Bos)

5-3-0

70.2

2.2

7.5

1.19

.249

3.18

2009 A (Bos)

5-4-1

83.1

1.4

5.5

1.18

.263

3.35

2009 A

4-2-0

43.0

1.3

4.8

1.12

.250

3.77

Strickland came along with SS Argenis Diaz from the Red Sox in exchange for Adam LaRoche. He throws in the upper-80s to low-90s. He reached 94 in the last two games before the trade, though, so his velocity may be improving. He obviously does not have a swing-and-miss secondary pitch, as shown by his very low K rate. His strength instead is his ability to locate his fastball. Although he was not rated by Baseball America among Boston's top 30 prospects coming into 2009, the Red Sox considered him a sleeper prospect. The Pirates consider him athletic and no doubt like his size; scouts are fascinated by RHPs who are 6'4" and above, although I've never seen any indication that they ultimately make better pitchers.

Strickland joined the West Virginia rotation and got off to a spectacular start, combining with Diego Moreno on a no-hitter. After that he was consistently solid, never allowing more than three earned runs except for one meltdown in which he allowed eight over four innings. As advertised, he didn't walk or fan many. He figures to open 2010 in the Bradenton rotation.

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