http://www.sbnation.com/users/matthewmafa Posts made by matthewmafa on SB Nation http://www.minorleagueball.com/2009/12/13/1198992/chris-withrow-vs-kyle-drabek matthewmafa Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:26:33 -0000 <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Withrow:&nbsp; Mid 90's fastball that can touch 99 with a plus curve and developing change up. 2009 was his first full year pitching after missing 2008 with small injuries. Strong K rate. Walk rate vs RHB is fine at 2.43 per 9 innings but has trouble throwing strikes vs LHB with a walk rate of 6.67 per 9 innings. A major plus is that he is very athletic and has an effortless smooth delivery.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Drabek: From what I have heard, he has a low to mid 90's fastball with a plus curve and a developing change up. So he has the same pitches as Withrow.&nbsp; He is a tommy john survivor. His Strikeout rate plummeted from 10.8 per 9 in A+ ball to 7.1 to per 9 in AA.&nbsp; He has great command with 2.8 walks per 9 in A+ and 2.9 per 9 in AA. he&rsquo;s also very athletic and his mechanics are vastly improved.(much smoother)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Who is the better pitching prospect and who would you rather have in the long term? why?</p> <fieldset class="poll-box"> <legend>Poll</legend> <h5 class="poll-title">Who is the better pitching prospect?</h5> <div id="poll_container_57536_77910491"> <form action="/polls/vote/57536?container_id=poll_container_57536_77910491" method="post" onsubmit="new Ajax.Request('/polls/vote/57536?container_id=poll_container_57536_77910491', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true, parameters:Form.serialize(this)}); return false;"> <ul class="poll-list clearfix"> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_265755" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="265755" /></span> <label for="poll_option_265755"><span class="option">Chris Withrow</span></label></li> <li class="clearfix"><span class="radio"><input id="poll_option_265756" name="poll_option" type="radio" value="265756" /></span> <label for="poll_option_265756"><span class="option">Kyle Drabek</span></label></li> </ul> <p class="poll-vote-submit"><input class="button" name="commit" type="submit" value="Vote!" /> &nbsp; 204 votes | <a href="#" onclick="new Ajax.Request('/polls/results/57536?container_id=poll_container_57536_77910491', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true}); return false;">Results</a></p> </form> </div> </fieldset>