Justin Masterson

From SoSH

Contents 1 Scouting Report 2 Amateur Career 3 Minor League Career 3.1 Minor League Awards 4 Moment in the Sun 5 Trivia 6 External Links

Scouting Report

• Big righty with an ideal pitcher's build. Dominated the Cape Cod League in 2005. Masterson has a three-fifths arm angle with a slinging-type motion. His arsenal includes a sinker, a slider, and a change-up. Of those pitches, his best is a phenomenal plus-sinker with an excellent heavy drop -- he can vary its speed from 84-94 mph, catching many hitters off balance. Also mixes in a very good slider that sits in the low 80s, and an improving 77-81 mph four-seam circle change. Uses his sinker predominantly as his out-pitch, but also can make use of his secondary pitches to get out of jams. Could stand to mix in his changeup a bit more. His mix of pitches results in a high groundball-to-flyball ratio, resulting in a lot of double plays. Very good command of the zone. Prepares well for every game and pitches with confidence on the mound. Good fielder with a quick and deceptive pick-off move. Strong character, Masterson is one of the most likable persons and teammates going. Converted to a starter in 2007 after coming out of the pen for Lowell in 2006, may still project as a reliever at this point depending on how well his change-up progresses. Needs to work on keeping his delivery consistent deep into games - he's struggled a bit the third time through lineups. Moved to the bullpen in mid-2008. If he stays in the pen, Masterson will need to keep the walks down and improve his ability to pitch out of the stretch. Ultimately, his ceiling is a #3 starter or a dominant set-up man. ~ SoxProspects.com

• Pounds the strike zone with a sinking fastball at 90 MPH, which can reach 94 MPH. Pitches low in the zone. His changeup and slider remain inconsistent.

Amateur Career

• Masterson was an honorable mention all-Mountain West Conference selection in his only season at San Diego State, where he played under head coach and Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn. He made 17 appearances (16 starts), compiling a mark of 6-7 with one save and a 4.81 ERA. He struck out 108 and walked only 26 over his 166 innings. A 2005 transfer from Bethel College in Indiana, where he had a two-year record of 20-8 with a 1.85 earned run average. Struck out 185 batters in 185 innings. Opponents batted .192 against him over his two seasons.

• Member of the Wareham Gatemen in the Cape Cod League during summer 2005 where he compiled a record of 3-1 with 10 saves and a 1.15 earned run average. Struck out 39 and walked only nine in 31.1 innings. Named to East Division all-star squad.

Minor League Career

• 2006: Assigned to Lowell after the draft. Named by Baseball America as the 6th best prospect in the 2006 NY Penn league.

• 2007: Assigned to High-A Lancaster for the start of the 2007 season where he struggled for a while in the hitter-friendly league. Made dramatic improvement in his last 40 or so innings there and earned a promotion to AA Portland. His success continued where he literally dominated AA hitters. Finished the year poorly however with a couple 7+ ER outings and put on the DL briefly with a strained calf.

Minor League Awards

• Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Month - June 2007
• Eastern League Pitcher of the Week - July 9-15, 2007
• Eastern League Pitcher of the Month - July 2007
• Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Month - July 2007
• Eastern League Pitcher of the Week - April 7-13, 2008

Moment in the Sun

• Went 6 innings and gave up two hits and one run while striking out four in his Major League debut on April 24, 2008

Trivia

• Commonly referred to on forums as "Jedi" given his last name

External Links

• Justin Masterson - Minor League Information Courtesy of Sox Prospects