Author Topic: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP  (Read 33854 times)

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Offline Lintyfresh85

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Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Topic Start: April 28, 2011, 03:31:28 PM »
Height:  6'1
Weight:  175
DOB:  2/02/1988
Hometown:  Miami, Fla.
School(s):  Palm Beach Central High School (Wellington, Fla.), Palm Beach Community College (Draft and follow)
Position:  Starting Pitcher
Nationals Prospect rank for 2011: #9 - Fangraphs, #10 - Baseball America, #16 - Minor League Ball, #18 - Baseball Prospectus  



You want to know how you can tell if a kid really wants to play professional ball? Take a look at where they were drafted, if it says Round 41, and they sign... you know they want to make their dream happen. What's even more telling is if said player had a full ride to college waiting for them if they bypassed signing.

Brad Peacock was a 41st round pick of the Nationals in 2006 and indeed did pass over a full ride to Florida Atlantic to take a shot at making his dream happen. Back in 2006, when draft and follow rules still applied, major league teams had 51 weeks to tender a contract to any player they drafted, provided they didn't go to a four year institution. A third basemen coming out of high school, Peacock had only thrown a grand total of 11 innings his senior season when the Nationals took a flier on him thanks to a report by former scout Tony Arango.

Initially the Nationals did not offer Peacock a contract. Only after an 8-0 season at the Junior College level, his first full year as a pitcher did the Nationals offer him $110,000 dollar contract. Rather than risk going undrafted, or a possible injury, Peacock jumped at the deal.

Thankfully, for Peacock, and the Nationals, the 41st round gamble out of high school has already started to pay off in spades.

Born in Miami, Peacock was a well scouted high schooler in the south Florida area. Coming up through the ranks, Peacock attended multiple showcase camps where he put his skills on display for scouts and colleges alike. Only 5'11 and weighing 160 pounds at the time, Peacock was only able to muster a fastball that topped out at 84 MPH. It is unknown what the Nationals saw in Peacock at the time of drafting, but it's clear that they thought he still had some growth potential both physically and on his fastball. They were correct in both regards.

Sitting out the 2006 season after signing as an 18 year old, Peacock made his professional debut in 2007 with the GCL Nationals appearing in 13 games (7 starts, 6 relief) pitching 39.1 innings while posting a 3.89 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 38 K's.

In 2008, Peacock began the year in Short Season A ball in Vermont. From the start, Peacock showed he could handle hitters his own age, posting a 3.12 ERA, 1.25 WHIP over 14 starts spanning 75 innings. While the strike out total dipped from his start in the GCL (7.5 in 2007 to 6.4 in 2008), the Nationals moved him up to Low A Hagerstown for eight starts where the young Mr. Peacock got his first taste of defeat posting a grotesque 9.09 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and a nasty 2.1 HR/9 rate.

2009 proved to be a much more successful year for Peacock as he started the year repeating in Hagerstown to much better results. In 19 games (17 starts), Peacock posted a 4.05 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and saw his strike outs start to rise to a 6.9 K/9 level. Impressed with the results, the Nationals moved him up to A Ball Potomac. Fairing much better than he did after his original promotion, Peacock went on to post a 4.34 ERA and a sparkling 1.17 WHIP over 8 appearances (7 starts) in 47.2 innings. While the numbers were OK, little did the Nats know that Peacock was about to strut his stuff in 2010 (pun intended). :rim:

2010 is the year Brad Peacock finally started to put it together. As a 41st round pick, no one expected, nor dreamed that Peacock would ever even be considered a prospect, yet there he was, proving his talent as a 22 year old in High A. For the year, over 19 games (18 starts) and 103.1 IP, Peacock posted an amazing 118 K's good for a 10.3 K/9 rate while only walking 25, good for a 2.2 BB/9 and an overall 4.72 K/BB rate. To see the young righty transform before their eyes, the Nationals were pleased, but wanted to see if what Peacock showed in A ball would translate to the higher levels. Making the bump to AA, Peacock held his own, posting a respectable 4.66 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 38.2 IP.

Impressed with the skills he had shown in 2010, the Nationals sent Peacock to the prestigious Arizona Fall League, where the best of the best prospects battle it out as a showcase of future starts. Peacock hit the ground running in the AFL, posting a 1.02 WHIP with a 12.75 K/9 rate over 12 innings, all in relief.

That brings up to 2011. To date, Peacock has been lights out in AA, posting a 1.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and striking out 28 hitters in 24 IP.

From 41st round pick to legitimate prospect, that's a story you don't hear every day.

The Good:  From all accounts, Peacock has seen a massive improvement on his fastball velocity. 84 MPH out of high school, Peacock has been clocked as high as 97 MPH heading into the 2011 season. He features a solid curveball as well as a developing change up. Each season he has seen a decrease in his walk rate, a sign that as he grows, he becomes more and more confident with his control and command.

The Bad:  Despite hitting 97 on the gun, scouts claim that his fastball is flat, lacking the movement necessary to constantly fool the top end hitters for 6-7 innings per outing. Scouts also worry that his change up may not be a true third pitch and that without improvement, he will end up as a late inning reliever featuring only a fastball and curveball.

Stats:

2007 - GCL - 1-1, 3.89 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 39.1 IP, 13 G (7 GS), 34/15 K/BB, 1 HR, 7.8 K/9, 3.4 BB/9, 2.27 K/BB
2008 - SS/A - 4-12, 4.97 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 108.2 IP, 22 G (22 GS), 77/48 K/BB, 11 HR, 6.4 K/9, 4.0 BB/9, 1.60 K/BB
2009 - A/A+ - 8-11, 4.14 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 147.2 IP, 27 G (24 GS), 104/42 K/BB, 14 HR, 6.3 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, 2.48 K/BB
2010 - A+/AA - 6-11, 4.50 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 142 IP, 26 G (25 GS), 148/47 K/BB, 16 HR, 9.4 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 3.15 K/BB
2010 - AFL - 0-0, 4.50 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 12 IP, 12 9 G (0 GS), 17/3 K/BB, 1 HR, 12.75 K/9, 2.25 BB/9, 5.67 K/BB
2011 - AA - 3-1, 1.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 24 IP, 4 G (3 GS), 28/3 K/BB, 1 HR, 10.5 K/9, 1.13 BB/9, 9.33 K/BB

Links:


Fangraphs Page
Baseball Reference Page
Milb.com Page
Baseball Cube Page

Offline houston-nat

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock
« Reply #1: April 28, 2011, 03:45:06 PM »
Let's think - are there any other Nationals who threw fastballs in the 80s in high school, but got up to 97 by age 22?

Of course, Peacock won't really be worthy of that comparison unless he can add another strong pitch or two. Even if he's in relief, though, I'm excited about his future. Especially now that the forum's autocensor doesn't call him Brad Pealollipop anymore. :lol:

Offline DPMOmaha

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock
« Reply #2: April 28, 2011, 04:00:08 PM »

That's some easy gas from the Lollipop.  The mechanics of that guy that closed out the game remind me a lot of Storen.  Cool to see Meyers and Rheinhart.  Couple of sweet swings from those guys.

Offline JCA-CrystalCity

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock
« Reply #3: April 28, 2011, 04:09:23 PM »
Nice job, Linty.  Looks like the '08 late season jump was part of the Bowden era philosophy of rapid promotion due to lack of quality  and quantity in the upper minors and MLB.  Looks like he's been around 150 IP the past couple of years, which is a nice base. 

Offline JCA-CrystalCity

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #4: April 29, 2011, 03:20:07 PM »
From BA's prospect hot sheet today, in the "In the team photo" write up
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2011/2611661.html
Quote
Nationals RHP Brad Peacock has sliced and diced his way through the Eastern League with a 28-3 K-BB mark and a 1.50 ERA in 24 innings for Double-A Harrisburg. Two starts this week helped pad the 23-year-old's stats, as Peacock allowed one run in 14 1/3 innings with 16 strikeouts and one walk . . .

Offline tomterp

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #5: May 01, 2011, 08:15:17 PM »
Kevin Goldstein, BP:

Quote
Brad Peacock, RHP, Nationals (Double-A Harrsburg): 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K. Stock is going up dramatically; 28 strikeouts against just three walks in 24 innings with fastball and breaking ball both grading out as true plus pitches.

Offline Lintyfresh85

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #6: May 03, 2011, 08:36:25 PM »
I think it's time to promote The 'Cock.

6 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 8 K

Season, 36 K, 4 BB , 30 IP


Offline sportsfan882

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #7: May 03, 2011, 08:39:08 PM »
I thought he had a straight fastball and weak breaking stuff :lmao:

This kid is a legit prospect

Offline Lintyfresh85

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #8: May 03, 2011, 08:43:34 PM »
I thought he had a straight fastball and weak breaking stuff :lmao:


Sorry the scouts hurt your feelings. I'm sure they've been wrong before, and they'll be wrong again.


Offline hammondsnats

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #9: May 03, 2011, 08:53:50 PM »
so he should go to AAA ... bump out the likes of Martin/Mock

Offline KnorrForYourMoney

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #10: May 03, 2011, 08:57:30 PM »
I thought he had a straight fastball and weak breaking stuff :lmao:

This kid is a legit prospect

Why don't you wait until you see him at the Majors, you dolt.

You make this same mistake with every prospect who puts up good numbers in the Minors.

Offline sportsfan882

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #11: May 03, 2011, 09:19:08 PM »
7 IP 2 H 0 ER 1 BB 8 K. Beast

Offline natstime

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #12: May 03, 2011, 10:24:59 PM »
bump him to AAA!!!

Offline sportsfan882

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #13: May 04, 2011, 08:04:31 AM »
Peacock's season numbers:

31 IP 19 H 4 ER 1 HR 4 BB 36 K (4-1, 1.16 ERA, 0.74 WHIP)

Wow :az:

Offline sportsfan882

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #14: May 04, 2011, 01:18:22 PM »
Quote
Kevin_Goldstein Kevin Goldstein
LIke him, but not THAT much. RT @sportsfan882: @Kevin_Goldstein Is a good comparison for Brad Peacock, Jordan Zimmermann? #Nats

Offline Lintyfresh85

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #15: May 04, 2011, 02:29:02 PM »
Quote
• Nationals righthander Brad Peacock has found a groove with Double-A Harrisburg. The undersized but hard-throwing 23-year-old tossed seven scoreless innings last night against Bowie, striking out eight and allowing just two hits and one walk. This was Peacock's third straight start in which he's gone at least seven innings, and in that stretch he's given up only one run on 10 hits in 21 1/3 innings. He's been especially tough on lefty hitters, holding them to a .127 average in 63 at-bats, compared to .229 for righthanders in 48 at-bats. He dominated last night against a Bowie lineup featuring six lefthanded or switch-hitters. Peacock has won four straight starts overall and stands at 4-1, 1.16 in 31 innings.


http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2011/05/wednesday-dish-bettis-racks-up-the-ks/


Offline PANatsFan

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #17: May 04, 2011, 02:50:12 PM »
thanks for posting buddy ... that's just awesome news.

There's no way he's got the buzz of JZ, a 1st round supp pick, but yeah, numbers are numbers.

Offline JCA-CrystalCity

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #18: May 04, 2011, 03:20:46 PM »
His numbers are more like Andy Sonnanstine in the minors than JZ, I think.  Age 23 at AA, in 185 IP, he had a 153 K and 34 BB. 5:1 ratio.

Offline sportsfan882

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #19: May 04, 2011, 03:22:34 PM »
But he has much better stuff than Sonnanstine and isn't hittable.

Offline JCA-CrystalCity

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #20: May 04, 2011, 03:26:34 PM »
Kevin Slowey - AAA at 23 - 133 IP, 107 K, 18 BB - 6:1.  I think BA had him as pitcher of the year for all minors that year.

Offline JCA-CrystalCity

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #21: May 04, 2011, 03:29:03 PM »
But he has much better stuff than Sonnanstine and isn't hittable.
You are trying to make your case off of his numbers because the scouts don't back up your latest crush, but then when I point out solidly mediocre MLB guys with similar numbers, you go back to the stuff argument (that the scouts deride).

Offline sportsfan882

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #22: May 04, 2011, 03:32:53 PM »
What are you talking about? You could point to hundreds of Minor Leaguers who had great numbers in AA or AAA and didn't do anything in the Pros.

Peacock or anyone else is no different. Scouts are not deriding his stuff. Guys like Kevin Goldstein just said a few days ago that he has two true plus pitches (fastball, slider). Goldstein says he is a big fan. Others will soon hop on board. One or two jerks started the rumor that he had a flat fastball that will get battered and people carried that like it's gospel.

Peacock could be a stud #2-3 pitcher or he could be a back end starter or maybe even a late reliever. That has yet to be determined. But to compare him with Sonnanstine and Slowey make no sense. Why not compare him to a pitcher with similar numbers that is a stud? To make any comparison is not fair.

Let's let his pitching dictate everything. As long as he keeps dominating and striking guys out his future will be very bright.

Offline NJ Ave

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #23: May 04, 2011, 03:46:16 PM »
I think it's a valid question why Sonnanstine (87 MPH fastball) and Kevin Slowey (90 MPH fastball) are acceptable comps for a guy whose value, in part, comes from plus velocity.

I mean, there are lots of guys who excelled in AA. Why would those guys spring to mind?

You could pick a guy with a good fastball/curve combo like Gavin Floyd who ripped up AA and hasn't become what he was projected to be in the majors, but comparing a plus velo guy to two soft tossing strike throwers doesn't make sense.

Offline tomterp

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Re: Follow the Prospects: Brad Peacock, RHP
« Reply #24: May 04, 2011, 03:47:40 PM »
One or two jerks started the rumor that he had a flat fastball that will get battered and people carried that like it's gospel.


 :lol: