|
MATT PURKE
|
SP, Texas Christian University
|
 |
Age: 20 Born: July 17, 1990 Height: 6′ 3″ Weight: 175 Bats: Left Throws: Left Class: Sophomore
Level: NCAA
Advisor: Peter Vescovo Links: |
|
SCOUTING REPORT
|
| Purke was selected by the Texas Rangers in the first round of the 2009 draft, but decided to go to college and re-enter the draft in 2011 as a draft eligible sophomore. The 6’ 3”, 180 pound left hander put up a 3.02 ERA in 116.1 innings during his first year in college ball in 2010, with an 11.0 K/9 and a 2.6 BB/9 ratio. He throws a 92-95 MPH fastball, and a hard slider which was rated as one of the best in the 2009 prep class.
If Anthony Rendon isn’t an option for the Pirates, and it’s hard to imagine he wouldn’t be if he’s anywhere close to healthy, then Purke could be a strong candidate for the first overall pick, giving the Pirates another potential top of the rotation starter to add to the system. |
|
STATS
|
 |
|
PREVIOUS DRAFT HISTORY
|
| 2009: Selected by the Texas Rangers in the 1st round, 14th overall. |
|
2011 DRAFT RANKINGS
|
| Baseball America: #3 (2/3/2011) Jonathan Mayo: #3 (10/25/2010) Perfect Game: #3 (1/15/2011) |
Tim started Pirates Prospects in 2009 from his home in Virginia, which was 40 minutes from where Pedro Alvarez made his pro debut in Lynchburg. That year, the Lynchburg Hillcats won the Carolina League championship, and Pirates Prospects was born from Tim's reporting along the way. The site has grown over the years to include many more writers, and Tim has gone on to become a credentialed MLB reporter, producing Pirates Prospects each year, and will publish his 11th Prospect Guide this offseason. He has also served as the Pittsburgh Pirates correspondent for Baseball America since 2019. Behind the scenes, Tim is an avid music lover, and most of the money he gets paid to run this site goes to vinyl records.
Other than the injury Purkee has had, is there any reason he isn’t being mentioned as the top draft choice? High K rate, not outlandish walks per nine, low BAA, not a Boras client, likely able to pitch after his college season, a lefty and prior #1 draft pick. Wonder what the Rangers offered?
Rendon looks like his power has been zapped. One HR per month: don’t we already have a 3B who can deliver that? OTOH, a .300+ hitter with a Ted Williams like eye and solid defense is hard to come by.
Other names make it a tough choice.