Another pitching prospect to get excited about - Daniel Gutierrez

by NYRoyal on Jul 7, 2008 8:25 PM EDT

Daniel Salvador Gutierrez, RHP

Born: 03/08/1987, 21 years old

6'1", 180 pounds

Pitches:

Fastball (89-94 mph with good movement)
Curveball (a pretty good pitch which projects as a plus offering)
Changeup (a developing pitch)

Gutierrez was selected out of high school by the Royals in the 33rd round of the 2005 draft. He signed the following spring as a draft-and-follow. He had a poor debut for Idaho in 2006. He was suspended for most of the 2007 season along with Jason Taylor, Jarrod Dyson and Nick Francis due some incident in spring training (someone may have the scuttlebut on this, but I don't). The suspension was eventually lifted and he pitched a little late in the season for the Burlington (Iowa) Bees with inconsistent results.

Gutierrez was assigned to the Midwest League's Burlington Bees (low-A) again to start this season. He started out on fire, but then went on the disabled list after his April 20 start after experiencing elbow discomfort and a dead arm. The organization maintained that it wasn't serious and said the move was merely precautionary. It appears that they were right, because Gutierrez has come back to pitch even better since then. Here are his numbers for the season:

W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	GO/AO
1	1	2.14	10	9	42	35	11	10	2	9	53	1.96

Before I get into how spectacular those stats are, I'll start with the caveats. First, we're dealing with a small sample size. Ten games, nine starts and 42 innings pitched is a small sample. But the good news is that he's been consistently dominating over that sample. But things can change. What he does over 42 innings doesn't mean he's a top prospect now. Second, this is the Midwest League, which is definitely a pitcher's league and the Bees play in a pitcher's park. But these are great numbers for any league and any park.

Caveats aside, there is nothing to dislike about his numbers. The 11.4 K/9 and 5.9 K/BB are particularly impressive. That's a guy who is throwing strikes almost exclusively and really dominating. He's also not giving up many hits, runs or home runs. He's also getting a lot of groundballs which are helping him a lot too.

At 21, he's probably a year older than you'd ideally like for a low-A prospect, but he's certainly not old. Clearly his suspension has held him back a bit. But he's proven that he's way too good for low-A and should move to high-A Wilmington soon.

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I wish pitching coaches would focus on

the change up as the primary second pitch. Unless they have a fairly decent curve/slider coming into the minors I think a good change is better then a good curve. Also it is harder to hit/pick up then a curve ball. Just look at the Edinson Vólquez from Cincy. He is doing most of his work with good control of his fastball and change.

Still its always nice to see some of the younger guys doing good. Give hope for the future, however far away that may be.

by TXroyal on Jul 7, 2008 9:17 PM EDT 0 recs

I think all pitching coaches put a lot of focus on changeups

The problem is that it is the hardest pitch to throw well. I have read many times from many sources that it is really difficult to master a changeup, that’s why for most pitchers (even successful ones), the change is their worst pitch. Many pitchers spend their entire careers working on their change and it is never more than an average pitch.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 7, 2008 9:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

^ What he said

That’s why I LOVE young pitchers with a feel for a changeup already. Mike Montgomery, Tim Melville, and John Lamb from this past draft…Dan Duffy and Matt Mitchell from last year.

The changeup is completely a “feel” pitch. You can learn one and develop a good one even if you don’t have a good one when entering pro ball, but it’s much harder. But, a breaking pitch is MUCH easier to learn and develop because it’s not as much of “feel” pitch.

Lost? Ha. Sorry.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Jul 7, 2008 10:03 PM EDT up 0 recs

i agree doublestix,

i was a catcher when i played ball, and my best friend was a very good pitcher (actually drafted out of HS but went to college and had arm injuries) who could through 5 pitches, including a changeup but he hated his changeup because it was his worst pitch. Of course, i always tried to get him to through it because it works so well in situations. but he always shook me off.. anyways, changeup is extremely difficult to critique and improve. and by far a catchers favorite, IMO

by cfizzle on Jul 7, 2008 10:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

Didn't know this.

When I pitched in high school and summer leagues I just had a fast ball and split. I could never throw a curve or change. Weird that its easier to throw a curve.

by TXroyal on Jul 7, 2008 10:30 PM EDT up 0 recs

I had a really good sinker

In retrospect, I wish I had used it more, hitters seemed to really struggle with it. But my pitching coaches didn’t teach it, so I thought I was being a rebel by throwing instead of a changeup.

Interesting you threw a split, teams usually discourage younger guys from throwing it for fear of damaging the elbow. Is that a myth or is there science behind that worry?

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 8, 2008 10:27 AM EDT up 0 recs

FYI

I just ranked him #12 on my midseason list. That might be a tad high, but his stuff is phenomenal and he could really start to rocket through the system if he’s truly committed to the game (my only concern because of that “incident”).

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Jul 8, 2008 1:12 AM EDT 0 recs

Lots of good stuff there

For those of you interested in Royals prospects, I suggest you go to doublestix’s blog on Royals prospects “Royal Tower.” And this midseason top 20 prospect list can be found here.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 8, 2008 1:19 AM EDT up 0 recs

Oooooo

Thanks for the promotion…heh. :-)

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Jul 8, 2008 2:29 AM EDT up 0 recs

Is it good or bad

That two of our top five prospects are two guys that may or may not ever play a game in our organization?

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 8, 2008 10:29 AM EDT up 0 recs

It means that the Royals are using a good draft philosophy of taking the players they think are best and not passing on them because of signability

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 8, 2008 12:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

What was the "incident"?

by Wily Mo Pena on Jul 8, 2008 1:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

He's got some mechanical...

Issues. I can tell from that picture alone.

Look at the dirt coming up behind his right toe. If he picks that leg up immediately upon delivery, as opposed to creating drag on his body by dragging that toe, he’ll increase 1-3 mph velocity (and be less prone to arm injury)...

by GoBabies!! on Jul 8, 2008 6:49 PM EDT 0 recs

FWIW, I don't know how old that picture is

It could easily be 2-3 years old. His mechanics may be just the same now as when the picture was taken, or they may have been changed.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 8, 2008 7:28 PM EDT up 0 recs

Mechanical problem...

Sorry guys, that’s not a picture of Daniel. Don’t know who it is but I’m certain that’s not him.
The “incident” is not important now. He is focused and committed to making the most of his opportunity.

by T5 on Jul 12, 2008 10:31 AM EDT 0 recs