Re: Minor Matters
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:35 pm
16 Felix Sterling. Last year's out of nowhere Latin teenager
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#16 Felix Sterling
Posted by Tony at 12:04 AM
Felix Sterling – Right-handed Pitcher
Born: 03/15/1993 – Height: 6’3” – Weight: 200 – Bats: Right – Throws: Right
(Photo: Felix Sterling)
History: The Indians signed Sterling as an undrafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic in the spring of 2010. He finished 8th in the rookie level Arizona Summer League in ERA (3.16), 10th in strikeouts (57), and 8th in WHIP (1.17).
Strengths: Sterling is a big, strong, physically imposing pitcher whose fastball already sits at 90-94 MPH and flashes two good secondary pitches in a slurvy breaking ball and changeup. As with any young pitcher he is working on improving his command and control, but has shown a good feel for pitching and has the arsenal to remain a starting pitcher as he moves up the minor league ladder. Like most Latin kids he came into the organization as a thrower rather than a pitcher, but unlike most Latin pitchers he had some secondary pitches in place. He seemingly got better and stronger as the season wore on last year, and showed surprisingly good command in his pro debut with an ability to miss bats. With his size and pitches he has the chance to be a middle-of-the-rotation workhorse down the road.
Opportunities: Sterling is still working on the command and consistency of all of his pitches. He is also learning how to effectively use his secondary pitches as he often misses big with them, something he can get away with in the lower levels of the minors but won't as he moves up. Due to his size he lumbers around the field a little bit, so will need to develop a stronger awareness to situations in order to combat some of his deficiencies with fielding his position.
Outlook: While Sterling is very rough around the edges and will certainly be a project for the Indians the next few years, he performed well at a very young age in the Arizona Summer League and showed a ton of raw ability. He really made a lot of strides during his time out in Arizona and opened up a ton of eyes inside and outside of the organization, and is definitely a guy to keep an eye on going forward as he has big time helium potential as a prospect. Even though he will turn 18 years old in March, he will likely open the season in the starting rotation at Low-A Lake County, a sure sign as to the kind of potential and ability the organization thinks he has.
Year Age Team Lvl W L ERA G GS IP H ER HR BB SO AVG BB/9 K/9 WHIP
2010 17 AZL R 2 3 3.16 12 11 51.1 40 18 2 20 57 .222 3.5 10.0 1.17