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D-Backs recall Max Scherzer, option Petit to AAA

The Arizona Diamondbacks recalled righthander Max Scherzer from Triple-A Tucson. Scherzer, 23, was selected out of Missouri with the 11th overall pick in the 2006 amateur draft. Scherzer, who pitched for the independent Fort Worth Cats while holding out for a larger bonus, nearly re-entered the 2007 draft. However, the Diamondbacks eventually opened up the wallet, giving Scherzer $4.3M in guaranteed money with $1.5M in incentives available. In 23 innings for Triple-A Tucson, Scherzer posted a 1.17 ERA while compiling an eye-popping 38/3 K/BB ratio.

To make room for Scherzer, the Diamondbacks optioned righthander Yusmeiro Petit to Tucson.

TG Analysis

Scherzer has an electric arm, with a fastball that touches the upper-90’s with some sink and a hard slider that is occasionally a plus pitch. However, the Missouri product comes with some caveats. In 2007, Scherzer dominated at High-A Visalia (17 IP, 0.53 ERA, 30/2 K/BB), but he hit some rough patches at Double-A Mobile (73.2 IP, 3.91 ERA 76/40 K/BB). Scherzer’s fastball can be dominant, but his secondary pitches are inconsistent and his control is ordinary. Those issues, coupled with mechanics that are often described as “max effort”, mean that Scherzer’s long-term future could be in the bullpen.

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 27th, 2008 at 5:03 pm and is filed under Yusmeiro Petit, Max Scherzer, Diamondbacks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.