Future Redbirds

(Powder blue and red just doesn’t mix!)

The ultimate super sleeper of Cardinal pitching prospects, Trey Hearne. Hearne as the NCAA Division I Independent pitcher of the year in 2005, when he went 8-1 with a 2.00 ERA for TAMU-Corpus Christi. He struck out 116 batters to 38 walks in 108 innings. While his results were outstanding, he was drafted in the 28th round as Hearne doesn’t light up any radar guns or wow any one with his stuff. Despite lack of “zowie!” pitches, Hearne has put up dominating numbers by fantastic control and guile. His total minor league line speaks for itself for combined ‘05 and ‘06 between JC and the Swing:

K/9    BB/9      K/BB       H/9            HR/9      FIP        ERA
8.0      2.5         3.2          6.85          .65     3.18       2.32

Strengths:

Hearne’s fastball tops out at 88 mph but can put the ball where he wants to, with movement. He also throws a curve and change up which grade out average. He’s a brainy pitcher and knows how to mix it up. While the rest of the league had a BABIP of .310, Hearne’s was .268, a testament of how well he keeps hitter off-balance.

Weaknesses:

Just the aforementioned lack of “stuff” or “nastiness” or no “filthy” pitches that scouts poop their pants over.

The Future:

Hearne’s hard to get a good read on. Thus far he’s dominated the lower minors but it’s uncertain how he’ll fare at the as he moves up the ranks. As long as he can continue to demonstrate good control, I don’t see why he can’t make the bigs as a bottom of the rotation starter or maybe a middle reliever. He’ll have to prove himself at every level. He’ll get a shot at Palm Beach probably to start ‘07 and could possibly even start at AA. I love soft-tossers that make hitters look like chumps, so I’ll be pulling for him.