6th Round - Felix "Lex" Rutledge: LHP, Samford U (AL)

Left pitcher, Real good curveball. Possible lefty Setup.

MLB Bio: College lefties are always in high demand, and a southpaw reliever who might be able to help quickly will always do well on Draft Day. Rutledge is exactly that type. He has three pitches that could be Major League average at times. The best is his future plus curve, a strikeout pitch that can buckle knees. Rutledge's fastball tops out at around 91 mph, and he also throws a solid slider. He goes right after hitters and has the right mentality for a short relief role. If anything, he can be too aggressive. The main knock against Rutledge is his overall command. When he gets too ramped up, he tends to overthrow and then can't consistently locate his pitches. If he can stay within himself on the mound, a future as a left-handed setup man is certainly possible.

Another college pitcher. Power lefty out of the bullpen, up to 97-98 mph.

above avg curve with command issues

Power lefty. And not this Felix Rutledge

BA had him at 148, ahead of several guys we drated already. Seems like good value in the 6th round.

Another college pitcher. Power lefty out of the bullpen, up to 97-98 mph.

Rutledge's fastball tops out at around 91 mph

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2012/draftcaster.jsp

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=4753083 (2009)

He goes by "Lex' so there is definitely that in out future.

MLBTV just said he is a guy who can crank it up to 97. Not a whole lot of lefties who can do that. Pretty interesting pick IMO

MLB.com has this to say...

College lefties are always in high demand, and a southpaw reliever who might be able to help quickly will always do well on Draft Day. Rutledge is exactly that type. He has three pitches that could be Major League average at times. The best is his future plus curve, a strikeout pitch that can buckle knees. Rutledge's fastball tops out at around 91 mph, and he also throws a solid slider. He goes right after hitters and has the right mentality for a short relief role. If anything, he can be too aggressive. The main knock against Rutledge is his overall command. When he gets too ramped up, he tends to overthrow and then can't consistently locate his pitches. If he can stay within himself on the mound, a future as a left-handed setup man is certainly possible.

With all these arms we're drafting you'd think we knew how to develop pitching or something.

Extend Rick Peterson already.

Another college pitcher. Power lefty out of the bullpen, up to 97-98 mph.

According to MLB.com, his fastball is more like 91 mph. Where are you seeing 97?

An overly optimistic overview of Rutledge, but some good info:

Rutledge is currently playing for Samford University in Atlanta, Georgia. He has previously been drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 26th round of the 2009 MLB draft. With solid physical tools and a strong upside, Rutledge should be a high 1st round pick in the 2012 MLB draft.

Rutledge will need some time to develop as his lack of experience occasionally gets him in trouble. He does not have an overpowering arm and needs excellent control and pitch placement to succeed.

http://voices.yahoo.com/2012-mlb-draft-lex-rutledge-pros-8392703.html

According to MLB.com, his fastball is more like 91 mph. Where are you seeing 97?

Mayo said it on the live stream as what he was at out of the bullpen on the Cape.