Scouting Report: Aaron Brooks, RHP, Cal State San Bernardino (2011 Draft)
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
March 27, 2010
Always on the lookout for pitching, I sought out right-hander Aaron Brooks. He will pitch his way into the 2010 draft. For me, his best weapons are fastball movement and overall command and control of the fastball. He’ll need to develop an out pitch he trusts. My guess is it will be a change-up as a pro. He won’t consistently blow it past guys, but he’s got the ability to work around the plate an awful lot. For me, this would be the kind of guy I would absolutely love to get my hands on as a minor league pitching coordinator. Why? Because I know he won’t get the huge money of a first-rounder, he won’t be rushed, and I’d have time to prepare him. I do know this: you can’t teach fastball movement and fastball command. Those are two building blocks you can’t take away from this guy.
Aaron Brooks, RHP
6-4, 220
Cal State San Bernardino, CA
Games Seen: 1, Innings: 3
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Medium pro build; wide shoulders and hips, strong thighs.
STRENGTHS: Fastball command and movement. Generally low in zone with FB with sink and glove-side run. FB 89-92 (89-90). Commands FB around plate well; tends not to elevate FB. Stays closed, balanced and lands well, finds extension and downhill.
WEAKNESSES: Lacks power to pitch up in zone with FB. Lacks consistent out pitch. Lacks consistent CB (74-78); below-pro average depth and break. Saw backdoor SL in bullpen, better pitch, did not throw early in game. Better CH in bullpen should be secondary pitch as pro. Would junk the CB and go FB, CH, SL as pro.
SUMMARY: Capability to throw pro-quality FB strikes with movement to both sides of the plate. Will not be a power arm but should have enough extension, downhill, and arm speed to be able to find a little more when it counts. Touch-and-feel right-hander, needs to be groundball and not fly ball pitcher. Would teach this guy a cutter the second he signs the contract. Could develop into innings-eating sinker ball pitcher with best weapons FB movement and command, with secondary weapons being SL and CH. See CH as key for him. Has some work to do but I think has enough arm and athleticism to maximize it. Good organizational sign at the worst, peak role No. 4 ML starter at best.
GRADES (Present/Future):
Fastball 40/50
Curveball 30/40
Slider 30/40
Change-up 40/50
Control 30/60
Command 30/60
Overall Future Potential: 50
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