http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?id=1740048
Tom from Santa Fe, New Mexico, writes: You've mentioned Arizona prospect Dustin Nippert as a sleeper in the past. Where does he stand for the 2004 season?
Nippert is one of my favorite sleepers. He was drafted in the 15th round in 2002, from the University of West Virginia. He pitched well in short-season ball, and I thought he'd make a big splash in 2003.
He sort of did what I expected. He actually pitched brilliantly at times in '03, posting a 2.82 ERA and 96/32 K/BB in 96 innings at Class A South Bend. But he was limited to 17 games by an unusual injury: a tumor in his left armpit. Fortunately, it turned out to be benign, but the resultant surgery cost him the middle portion of the season. He was throwing well at the end of the season, and will return at full strength this year.
Nippert is tall (6-7) but has unusual command for a pitcher his size. His fastball can hit 96 mph, and he has an excellent curveball. Assuming that no more weird injuries get in the way, I'm looking at him as a major breakout candidate in 2004.
Tom from Santa Fe, New Mexico, writes: You've mentioned Arizona prospect Dustin Nippert as a sleeper in the past. Where does he stand for the 2004 season?
Nippert is one of my favorite sleepers. He was drafted in the 15th round in 2002, from the University of West Virginia. He pitched well in short-season ball, and I thought he'd make a big splash in 2003.
He sort of did what I expected. He actually pitched brilliantly at times in '03, posting a 2.82 ERA and 96/32 K/BB in 96 innings at Class A South Bend. But he was limited to 17 games by an unusual injury: a tumor in his left armpit. Fortunately, it turned out to be benign, but the resultant surgery cost him the middle portion of the season. He was throwing well at the end of the season, and will return at full strength this year.
Nippert is tall (6-7) but has unusual command for a pitcher his size. His fastball can hit 96 mph, and he has an excellent curveball. Assuming that no more weird injuries get in the way, I'm looking at him as a major breakout candidate in 2004.
