Michael Finocchi

Michael Finocchi - Right-handed Pitcher
Age: 22 Height: 6'0" Weight: 190 Bats: Right Throws: Right

	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	BB9	K9	WHIP
2007 Kinston/Akron	5	3	3.27	45	0	5	74.3	72	27	1	31	52	3.76	6.30	1.39
Career	10	8	3.17	102	0	7	176.0	181	62	2	75	121	3.84	6.19	1.45

History: The Indians selected Finocchi in the 14th round of the 2005 Draft out of Louisburg College (PA). Finocchi was sent to the Arizona Fall League (AFL) this past offseason and in nine appearances went 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and allowed 7 hits, 4 walks and struck out five in 10.1 innings pitched.

Strengths & Opportunities: The Indians feel Finocchi had a very good year last year and then followed that up with a very successful stint in the AFL. The Indians are excited to see his progress going forward. Finocchi has a power sinking fastball that sits around 92-94 MPH, and he compliments it with a hard slider and changeup. His slider is his best secondary pitch, while his changeup still needs work. He has a sturdy frame and is durable, and has the potential to be a late inning reliever who gets hitters to pound the ball into the ground.

For a pitcher who throws as hard as he does and has sink on his pitches, he has a chance to be very successful. Finocchi is an extreme groundball pitcher as he had a 3.40 groundball to flyout ratio last year combined at Akron and Kinston, and had a 3.72 ratio in 2006 combined at Lake County and Kinston. In his brief showing in the AFL this offseason, Finocchi posted a 3.50 ratio as well. Also, Finocchi's ability to keep the ball in the park is sensational, as in 176 career innings pitched he has only allowed two home runs. Even though he has not piled up strikeouts in the past, he has shown the ability to strike batters out when needed.

One interesting note is left-handers only hit .184 (19-103) off him last year, while right-handers hit .273 (51-187). Going forward, if Finocchi continues to be effective against left-handed pitching, his value will only increase. Last year, Finocchi averaged 3.84 walks per nine innings, so he needs still needs some work with his fastball command. One of the ways the Indians plan on helping Finocchi in this area is to continue to work with him on throwing more first pitch strikes, and also setting up hitters and finishing them off.

Outlook: Along with Jeff Stevens, Finocchi is another reliever who took a meteoric rise in the bullpen ranks of the Indians farm system and is one to watch. He does not have overpowering stuff, but he continues to get hitters out every year and has shown signs that he could be a valuable middle relief option for the Indians down the road. He should start next season in the Akron bullpen.

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