Continuing our Series of potential breakout prospects is right-handed pitcher Chris Flexen, a projectable righty drafted in 2012, who suffered a delay due to Tommy John Surgery.
Profile:
Chris Flexen was drafted out of Newark Memorial HS in California, during the 14th round. He was awarded an overslot bonus of $374,000. In an early draft report by Baseball America, he was called a “projectable arm” that could reach 93, with much more potential to fill out a skinny frame. BA also said he had the potential for a plus slider.
He, however has had an inconsistent career struggling initially in Kingsport before repeating and excelling. Then in 2014 he struggled with his control and recorded a 4.83 earned run average with 13 starts in Savannah, before undergoing Tommy John Surgery. He returned on June 24th of this past year and pitched rehabilitation games in Gulf Coast League, and Brooklyn before returning to the Savannah Sand Gnats. In his final 6 games, he pitched much better, posting a 1.87 ERA, with a 1.9 BB/9, and nearly a strikeout per inning.
Why he may be a Candidate
According to recent scouting reports, Flexen’s fastball velocity has improved to the mid 90’s, and has touched 97. With an improving slider, and changeup, he could have a serious arsenal in his future, and he is finally healthy, which could lead to a great full season. One caveat is he has only pitched a maximum of 69 innings, so we’ll keep cautious about his future for now. We hope to see a bigger influx of innings as well.
Ted’s Prospect Extras
The Top 5 2012 Draft Picks
- C Kevin Plawecki (1st Rd Supplemental, 35th overall)
- SS Gavin Cecchini (1st Rd, 12th overall)
- UT Matt Reynolds (2nd Rd, 71st overall)
- RHP Matthew Bowman (13th Rd, 410th overall)
- RHP Paul Sewald (10th Rd, 320th overall)
My first candidate was third baseman Jhoan Urena which you can read about here.
I think with all the recent graduations and trades Flexen has a good chance to be one of our top pitching prospects by the end of the year. I think he will have a Michael Fulmer type year. I really hope they don’t trade him. The pitching in the minor league system is kind of thin right now.
Thanks Teddy. Good stuff as always. I’m excited about Flexen. Really like how he bounced back last year from the TJS. Where do you expect him to start the year? Still in Savannah (I mean Columbia) or at St. Lucie?
I assume the Mets will be careful with his innings and we may see him in a piggyback role for some or much of the year to limit innings?
Agreed that he could have a huge jump up the prospect ranks this season maybe not to the same level as Fulmer but definitely substantial.
I think that there is a good chance he starts with St. Lucie and like you said see his innings monitored pretty closely. Could see a jump to about 100 innings.
Sounds about right. Thanks Michael.
Teddy – There’s more than one Matt Reynolds. you linked to the wrong one in Baseball-Reference.com in your Top 5 2012 prospect list after the article.
Good job educating us on Flexen. Nice to have a healthy arm we can rally around having been depleted due to call ups, trades, injuries, It will be several years before Flexen nears call up, but we can look forward.
Whoops, sorry, not sure how the linker thing works for BBRef.