Scouting Notes: Wilmer Font, P, Texas Rangers
In 2009, I had an opportunity to scout Wilmer Font who was at the time considered a flame throwing prospect with considerable upside. In person, I was a bit underwhelmed as his big fastball lacked movement and his secondary offerings were rudimentary at best. Of course prospects who throw 96 MPH are rare, so I highly anticipated the opportunity to scouting Font again.
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- Big, strong pitcher; Not particularly athletic
- Herky jerky mechanics; Currently rehabbing TJ surgery
- Fastball 89-92 MPH early
- Spent an inning working FB @ 94-96 MPH
- Fastball had no movement; Struggled to create downward plane
- Did not work fastball inside; Needs to work in side to have sustained success
- Curveball in the low-70′s
- Big, slow break; Much improved from 2009; Remains below average
- Arm action similar to his fastball
- Changeup in the low-80′s
- Arm action slows significantly tipping the pitch
Heading into 2011, Font is viewed as a reclamation project as Tommy John surgery has temporarily derailed his move up the organizational ladder. At 20, Font still has time to regain the helium he once had. And while I would never wish an injury on any player, I have to wonder if this surgery will force him to smooth out the mechanical kinks and develop his secondary offerings at a faster pace than if he had never been injured in the first place.
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