Matt
Purke
LHP
/ TCU
Bats-Throws: L-L
Height/Weight: 6-4/180
Hometown: Spring,
Texas
Previously
Drafted: Rangers
'09 (1, 14th overall)
Birthdate: July
17, 1990
SCOUTING
PROFILE: TCU
head coach Jim Schlossnagle knew it was unlikely that his prized
2008-09 recruit, Matt Purke, would ever make it on campus. Purke was
one of the top prospects available for the 2009 draft, with the
potential to be selected among the top three to five overall picks. Signability concerns caused him to drop to the 14th pick and the Texas Rangers, who thought they had an agreement to sign
the talented young lefty to a $6 million bonus. Major League
Baseball, who was overseeing the organization's finances due to then
owner Tom Hicks' financial difficulties, nixed the deal, thus sending
Purke off to college. It didn't take Purke long to assume the Friday
ace role for the Horned Frogs, who enjoyed the best year in the
program's history. Purke was named to just about every All-America
team imaginable, with several publications naming him the National
Freshman of the Year. He went 16-0 with a 3.02 ERA and an impressive
142 to 34 strikeout to walk ratio over 116.1 innings of work. This
year has been a different story however, as Purke missed time early
with a blister problem and has been shut down since mid-April due to
shoulder fatigue. He recently threw a promising bullpen, and is
expected to return to the mound today (Thursday, May 19) against New
Mexico. There were already some concerns from scouts about Purke's
delivery, as he throws from a low three-quarters release with some
effort across his body. He also employs an upside-down takeaway, in
which that delivery creates the “inverted W” that is typically
frowned upon. His velocity hasn't been quite the same this year,
with some low-90s heat in the first inning or two in games, quickly
falling to the upper-80s as opposed to a sustained 92-94 mph fastball
in 2010. Purke's fastball has some late life, and that pitch, along
with his nasty slider that bores in hard on right-handed batters with
his crossfire delivery, have been his two go-to pitches. His slider
can sit in the low-80s at its best, and he can also take a little off
of the pitch to throw more of a true curveball. He also throws a
changeup. Purke's best attribute may be his competitive spirit on
the mound. He pitches with complete confidence, attacking hitters
with his repertoire while moving the ball around the zone with a
propensity for inducing weak groundballs. Given his reduced velocity
this season, unless he throws much better between now and the draft,
it's uncertain where he will go, particularly if his lofty $6 million
price-tag remains. Originally expected to be one of the top picks in
this year's draft as a draft-eligible sophomore, it would not be
surprising to see him return for his junior year with Schlossnagle
and TCU.
Projected
Draft Position: Impossible
to determine.
Perfect
Game Events Attended:
2008 National Showcase
2008 Aflac All American HS Baseball Game