MARK PRIOR

Starting Pitcher
Chicago Cubs

Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 225 lbs.
Born: September 7, 1980, in San Diego, California, U.S.A.

 YEAR

PROFILE:
Mark Prior first gained attention as a 1998 All-American and All-State selection during his senior year at San Diego High, but then went on to garner more attention as a Second Team All-American during his freshman season at Vanderbilt University (where he also played some DH and first base). However, it was after his transfer to USC, before his sophomore season, that Prior began to gain national attention as the USC Trojans’ staff ace. While hurling for the Trojans, Prior turned in one of the most dominating seasons in collegiate history. He led his club to the College World Series, and was honored with the Golden Spike Award, given by USA Baseball to the top amateur player in the nation; he was the first Trojan player in the school’s history to win this award. He was also only the second player to sweep every national collegiate player of the year award (Baylor’s Jason Jennings also did this in 1999). In addition, Prior won the Dick Howser Trophy, the 2001 Rotary Smith Award, the Sullivan Award and the National Player of the Year awards from Baseball America and The Sporting News. He was also an All-American first team honoree, and was named the Pac-10 Conference Pitcher of the Year, following in fellow Trojan, Barry Zito’s, footsteps. He also registered the win as the starting pitcher in an 8-5 victory over Cuba in the championship game of the Baseball Week in Haarlem (The Netherlands) Tournament. Prior accomplished all of this before being selected Number 2 overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 2001 draft; he probably would have been selected first, but the Twins opted to draft catcher Joe Mauer because they figured he would be easier to sign. Prior quickly showed at Class-AA West Tennessee that he truly was perhaps the best pitcher to ever come out of college baseball. He rapidly advanced to Class-AAA Iowa, where just after three starts, he was called up out of necessity by the somewhat reluctant Cubs. Mark possesses excellent command of a 94-97 mph fastball, and a great over-the-top curveball. He is also very poised and composed on the mound, and is a very hard worker off the field; he is an overall good guy.

FINAL ASSESSMENT:
We see Mark Prior as the real deal; he is the complete power-pitching package. He has the body and stuff, ala Curt Schilling and Roger Clemens to be dominate. He will soon challenge Kerry Wood as the ace of the Cubs’ starting staff. Prior is projected to go in the first round of the upcoming NABL draft; he should be the Number 1 overall pick. The only thing that may prevent this from happening is his lack of full-season innings. Without a doubt though, he has the ability and brains to follow in the footsteps of his idols, Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens. He’s a guy who finishes what he starts, as evidenced by his return to USC during this off-season to work on finishing up his degree.