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Edit, that line was wrong. Nats_prospects makes lots of mistakes.6 IP 8 H 3 ER 2 BB 10 K. ERA up to 2.26.
sadly, karns will likely never see much time in Washington as a starter and won't have a whole lot of trade value given his age and that the highest level he has pitched at is High A. He has the stuff to be a late inning reliever from what I've read though.
A 12th-round pick in 2009 out of Texas Tech, Karns threw just 55 minor-league innings before 2012 due to a major shoulder injury he suffered in 2010, but exploded this year in a rare fit of good health.Karns was 93-97 as a starter with a yellow hammer of a curveball at 80-85 that he threw for more and more strikes as the season went on, meaning he could have two pitches that grade out at 70 on the 20-80 scale. He barely uses his changeup, but it's no worse than fringy and can play up because hitters are busy worrying about 96 going right by them.There's some effort in his delivery, mostly as his arm lags slightly behind his front leg, yet he does have the size and lower-body strength to continue to generate that velocity in a starter's role. If his shoulder holds up -- a big if -- he's got front-line starter potential.
Strasburg, Gio, J-Zimm, Gio 2.0, Cole, Karns, the aces never end!
Surprised he made the list at his advanced age.
Updated for WNFF, BA, and Fangraphs prospect rankings for the Nats. Did he make anyone's top 100 for all of baseball?
6) Nate Karns, RHP, Grade B-: Recovered from labrum surgery to dominate A-ball with 92-96 MPH sinker and nasty curveball. Projects as a number three starter if his changeup improves, a power closer if it doesn't.
Call him up. Maybe he can close.
6.2 IP 3 H ER 4 BB 5 K today.
5. Nate KarnsPosition: RHPDOB: 11/25/1987Height/Weight: 6’5’’ 230 lbs.Bats/Throws: R/RDrafted/Acquired: 12th round, 2009 draft, Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)2012 Stats: 2.03 ERA (44.1 IP, 23 H, 61 K, 21 BB) at Low-A Hagerstown; 2.26 ERA (71.2 IP, 47 H, 87 K, 26 BB) at High-A PotomacThe Tools: 6+ FB; 6+ CB; What Happened in 2012: Injuries had sapped Karns’ progress leading up to the 2012 season, but a lucky bout with health propelled the big righty up prospect lists with a very strong two-level performance. Strengths: Tall, physical pitcher; creates good angle to the plate and throws downhill; fastball works in the 92-95 range; touches higher; good weight; can pound low zone; curveball is true plus pitch; might project even higher; heavy vertical action; true bat-missing weapon; hard to adjust the bat to the plane; attacks and competes. Weaknesses: He’s 25 years old; behind developmental curve; can repeat, but delivery has some effort; mostly a two-pitch type; changeup gets over, but is below average at present; can throw strikes, but overall command is loose. Overall Future Potential: High 5; no. 3 starter Explanation of Risk: High risk; has yet to pitch in Double-A; shoulder injury on resume. Fantasy Future: Mature body and two plus (to plus-plus) pitches in arsenal; if he can stay healthy, should be able to chew innings and miss bats; could end up in relief if changeup plays down or command regresses. The Year Ahead: Health will be the biggest factor for Karns, but if he can stay on the mound, he be able to perform at a high level in Double-A. The fastball/curve combo is very legit, with several sources putting high sixes on the offerings. The delivery works, although he does show some effort and the injury history to the shoulder will keep red flags flying for a long time. If the changeup can play as an average pitch and he can continue to miss bats with the power fastball/curve, he won’t be long for the minors. Good arm.