Position: LHP
Age: 23
John Sickels' Grade: C+
Twitter Account: @esurkamp
In 17 games at high-A this year, Eric Surkamp pitched very well, sporting a very nice strikeout rate (9.6 K/9) and walk rate (2.0 BB/9). Backed by a 2.54 FIP, he posted a 3.11 ERA on the year before incurring a hip injury. Here's what When the Giants Come to Town had to say about him:
He's a 3 pitch pitcher with a deceptive high 80's fastball, a biting curveball that is his best pitch, and an average changeup according to last year's BA scouting report. Hopefully he's healthy and ready to move up to AA in 2011. Ceiling is probably a #3 starter, on an average team, #5 in the current Giants rotation.In spite of the high K rate, Sickels has labeled him as an "intriguing finesse lefty." The label fits Surkamp well, though: he lacks velocity on the fastball, and has very impressive control -- he only walked 22 batters in 100+ IP in 2010.
The consensus with Surkamp is basically as follows: good potential -- as the K rate and BB rate surely indicate. But he's only reached high-A thus far. As Sickels says, "he can't rank higher until we see how Double-A goes." He's far from major-league ready at this point, but he certainly looks promising.
Also of note, this picture:
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| Right: Eric Surkamp |
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