Top 20 Prospects: #10 John Stilson RHP

#12 John Stilson RHP

Born: July 28, 1990 in Texarkana, Texas, US (Age 22)

Acquired via: 3^rd round in the 2011 Draft from Texas A&M University

Bats: Right, Throws: Right 
Height: 6' 3", Weight: 200 lb.

Baseball America Ranking: #10 (prior to the Marlins trade)

Baseball Prospectus Ranking: TBA

Fangraphs Ranking: #13 

MLB.com: #13 

Minor League Ball: #12

2012 Stats and Analysis:

League	W-L	IP	ERA	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	BABIP	FIP	HR/9
Dunedin (A+)	3-0	54.1	2.82	1.380	7.8	3.1	.331	3.05	0.33
NH (AA)	2-4	50	5.04	1.540	7.9	4.1	.322	4.56	1.08
Total	5-4	104.1	3.88	1.457	7.8	3.6			0.7

In his 1^st season play pro ball, Stilson got off to a great start. Then, he got promoted… After dominating hitters in the pitcher friendly FSL,  Stilson got called up to the Fisher Cats of New Hampshire, and struggled, posting a 4.54 FIP, while walking over 4 batter per nine innings. He seemed to be over matched a bit by the more advanced hitters in AA, but he was quite average if you take away a couple of outings where he was just horrendous. The move to the bullpen in New Hampshire is likely what his future holds for him, and starting 2013 in AA will be good for him.

Scouting Report:

Stilson is a relatively big right-hander who does throw in the upper levels of the 90’s when pitching out of the bullpen, but he still needs to develop control. He does possess to the ability to start due to his abundance of pitches for a reliever (4), but I suspect the Jays want to fast track him to the majors, so relieving is probably more likely.  His fastball is a plus pitch because of the velocity, and it could become a great pitch that could lead him to a late inning relief role if his command improves. He throws an above average change up in the 80’s, and also owns a slider and curve ball, both of which project into being average pitches, but nothing special. His mechanics might lead to injury in the future, but I’m sure those will be hammered out in coming years.

2013? ETA? Projection?

Stilson will likely start the year with the Fisher Cats, and will move up to Buffalo some time in the first half on 2013. Then, if all goes well in AAA, I’d bet on him being given a September call up later on. That being said, the odds are he will have to deal with some struggles throughout the year, so his ETA is more likely 2014. If the Jays decide to go the starting route with him, he will definitely not be called up until 2014. He has 4^th or 5^th starter stuff at best, but will likely end up being a very good late inning reliever. 

Comments and criticisms welcome below.

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