George Kontos climbing the ranks - Talksox

jacksonianmarch · 07-06-2007, 11:06 AM

The most puzzling 5th round pick from last yr's draft was probably George Kontos. He was torched in college at Northwestern. 3-10 5.39ERA and walked nearly 5 per 9. He had a solid arsenal, but yankee scouts noted that he had "metal bat syndrome". Or in layman's terms, he was so afraid to throw inside on the metal bats that he limited himself to one half of the plate. They saw that he already had a solid arsenal for the professional ranks and figured they could teach him to be more of a pitcher who uses both sides of the plate, and boy were they right.

He signed quickly and reported to Staten Island (low A) where he dominated last yr. 7-3 2.64 ERA .227BAA 82/19 K/BB rate in 78 innings with a 1.07 WHIP. He was voted the Staten Island pitcher of the yr and worked very hard this winter to continue to flourish.

His arsenal is impressive. He sites 92-93 with the capability to throw 95. He also has a 89-90 mph 2 seamer that gets good sink but it certainly a work in progress. His slider was plus out of college and is still his best off speed pitch. His most improved pitch is a curveball with plus potential. His changeup will likely be an important pitch in determining if his future lies in the rotation or pen. Right now it is not a very strong pitch.

But the development of his curveball has led to dominance in his first full season at High A - Tampa. Although he did miss 6 weeks with shoulder tendonitis, he has rebounded quite nicely to post an overall line of..

1-2 2.27ERA 39.2IP 33H 47K 9BB. And he has been even better since his return from shoulder issues allowing 4ER in 18.2IP (sub 2 ERA).

Kontos' future is still to be determined. The scouting sites think he could be a swing man in the bigs or if he progressed that changeuop has the ceiling of a #2 or #3 in the majors. Time will tell, but the yankees got what looks like another steal in the draft in a guy who absolutely sucked in college, but is dominating in the wood bat realm.

BoSox21 · 07-06-2007, 11:46 AM

nice stats but staying within context, it's still A ball. should be interesting to see what he does once he starts climbing the ranks

jacksonianmarch · 07-06-2007, 12:03 PM

Oh no doubt. But a kid dominating A+ ball in his first full season is pretty nice. He skipped Long Season A ball altogether like Chamberlain and Kennedy did and if it wasnt for his injury, he'd probably be in AA by now. Last season's draft was ridiculously good for us.

TheKilo · 07-07-2007, 10:16 PM

Man what are the Yankees going to do with all these amazing arms?

jacksonianmarch · 07-07-2007, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheKilo

Man what are the Yankees going to do with all these amazing arms?

They still havent hit AAA yet. But with the release of Fat Elvis, I'd assume Horne will get the callup to AAA and either McCutchen or Kontos will get the call to AA.

TheKilo · 07-07-2007, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

They still havent hit AAA yet. But with the release of Fat Elvis, I'd assume Horne will get the callup to AAA and either McCutchen or Kontos will get the call to AA.

The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!!!

jacksonianmarch · 07-08-2007, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheKilo

The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!!!

I know you are being sarcastic, but I'll play along. I like the yankees pitching future. The offensive prospects are at least 2 yrs away and the best of the bunch are Tabata and Montero. I think we will be relying on deals or FA's for our offense for quite some time.

lasorda's speed dial · 07-08-2007, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

I know you are being sarcastic, but I'll play along. I like the yankees pitching future. The offensive prospects are at least 2 yrs away and the best of the bunch are Tabata and Montero. I think we will be relying on deals or FA's for our offense for quite some time.

What else is new?

rician blast · 07-08-2007, 03:00 AM

cha-ching

jacksonianmarch · 07-08-2007, 10:38 AM

To be honest, I think Kontos may be a guy who gets showcased in AA this yr. If he shines, he may be a guy who could headline a deal to a shitty club.

jacksonianmarch · 08-18-2007, 04:31 PM

So much for showcasing. Kontos has had a rough go of it of late, essentially losing all control of his plus slider. He has been downright terrible for about a month now after starting out gangbusters. Projections have him repeating Tampa next yr to prove he is both healthy and can harness his stuff. The guy throwing now is not the guy who was dominating earlier.

jacksonianmarch · 10-20-2007, 02:01 AM

Kontos finished the season with a few up and down performances. But he is now in the HWL and he just threw a gem

5IP 3H 0BB 11K

Kontos is a very intriguing prospect in the yankee system. He throws very hard and already has a plus offspeed pitch in his slider. But his lack of a developed tertiary pitch has made him predictable. If he can develop his changeup, he could be a weapon as a starter, but there is a good chance he makes it to the bronx out of the pen. I'd assume this guy continues to be hit or miss next yr in Trenton, then moves to the pen and sees the Bronx in 09.

TheKilo · 10-20-2007, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheKilo

Man what are the Yankees going to do with all these amazing arms?

Trade them for Miguel Cabrera and Johan Santana!!!11!

jacksonianmarch · 10-20-2007, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheKilo

Trade them for Miguel Cabrera and Johan Santana!!!11!

Kontos jumped up the radar screen this yr and with him likely beginning the yr in Trenton, he has a shot at being included in some deals should he start out hot. Also, remember that Hawaii was when Joba jumped onto the map, so we shall see.

Gom · 10-20-2007, 10:46 AM

I kinda agree with Kilo. These guys are trade bait, if that.