Future Redbirds

Tyler Herron started live up to his billing this past season and vaulted his way up the prospect rankings.

Background

Tyler Herron was selected 46th overall in the memorable 2005 draft out of Wellington HS in Florida. Wellington has had its share of 1st round picks, although they haven’t been good ones. The Pirates ‘99 and ‘00 1st round picks both were from Wellington-Bobby Bradley and Sean Burnett-and have gone on to do little or nothing in the show. The following summer, Justin Pope was the Cardinals 1st round pick and went on to share the same fate.

BA rated Herron the 2nd best high school pitching prospect out of Florida after Chris Volstad, who currently sits near the top of the prospect rankings for the Marlins. A shortstop for most part in high school, a broken finger prompted him to spend more time on the mound as a junior. Scouts liked his athleticism and projectable frame, and his curve rated as a 70 pitch by some scouts. He drew comparisons from the wildly optimistic- Mike Mussina - to the more reasonable-Gaby Hernandez of the Marlins, another top rated prospect in their system.

Repertoire

Herron throws a sinker in the high eighties to low nineties, a curve and a change. All three rate average to above average. He seldom throws a 4-seam fastball, but can touch 93-94 when he does. His curve comes in at 71-74 and is a plus offering. His change is 78-81 MPH and he repeats his arm speed when he throws it. Herron has good arm action, is very aggressive and possesses sharp command. He tends to get the ball up at times and the movement on his sinker can come and go. He also will hang his curve on occasion.

Statistical performance and accomplishments

Aside from having a good K rate, the rest of his debut was dreadful. He improved the following season but didn’t wow anyone. Herron did a much better job keeping the ball in the park, but his strikeout rate dropped to a lower rate then what you would consider to be ideal. This past season was his breakthrough, of course. Herron put it all together-K’s, command, control and he kept the ball on the ground and in the park. BA rated him the #11 prospect of the Midwest League this past season, and the #9 prospect on the team. In ‘05, BA ranked him the #20 prospect of the Appy League.

The Future

Living in eastern Iowa, I’ve seen Herron on a few occasions, as they broadcast the games on the local sports channel occasionally. I can’t say I was overwhelmed by his stuff but he exuded a lot of confidence and poise. You could tell he had a game plan and he was adept at playing to the hitter’s weaknesses with aggression. It was actually sort of Carpenter-esque, just not quite with Carp stuff. I also could tell he played has some shortstop, as on a couple occasions of seeing him field ground balls he showed good instincts and nice hands. BA sees his future is as a 3rd starter, I tend to agree. I don’t think he’ll become a pitcher that racks up a ton of strikeouts, but with his curveball he should be at least average in that regard. I am interested to see how he does in the upper levels and whether or not his strike-throwing aggressiveness leads to more hits. For now, he will probably move up to Palm Beach but could see some time in AA in 2008.

-Be sure to also check out lboros’s interview with Herron from this past summer.