Indians Top 100 Prospects: #61 Kevin Dixon

61. Kevin Dixon - Right-handed Pitcher
Born: 12/16/1983 - Height: 6'3" - Weight: 225 - Bats: Right - Throws: Right

Year	Age	Team	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	BB/9	K/9	WHIP
2005	21	Mahoning Vy	A-	3	6	4.53	14	14	0	57.2	66	29	6	11	31	1.7	4.8	1.34
2006	22	Lake County	A	2	1	1.36	7	7	0	39.2	32	6	0	7	21	1.6	4.8	0.98
		Kinston	A+	6	3	5.19	13	13	0	69.1	76	40	8	23	40	3.0	5.2	1.43
2007	23	Kinston	A+	10	4	3.72	28	22	2	133.0	143	55	9	41	72	2.8	4.9	1.38
2008	24	Akron	AA	9	11	4.41	27	26	1	157.0	159	77	17	48	113	2.8	6.5	1.32
		Career		30	25	4.08	89	82	3	456.2	476	207	40	130	277	2.6	5.5	1.33

History: Dixon was a 5th round pick in the 2005 Draft out of Minnesota State University. He actually was a more successful hitter than a pitcher in college, but was drafted as a pitcher.

Strengths & Opportunities: The 6'3" 225-pound Dixon is big and strong showcasing good stuff on the mound with a sinking fastball that sits around 90-92 MPH and tops out at 93 MPH. The fastball is actually two pitches in that he throws a sinker and four-seam fastball, and he has shown the ability to attack hitters with the fastball in the zone and not be afraid of the results. He complements the fastball with a changeup, slider and split-finger with good command of all his pitches. The slider is a potential plus pitch and the changeup grades out as average. One of the big things that has helped Dixon grow as a pitcher last year is the addition of the split-finger that was added to his arsenal during Instructional League in 2007. After toying around with the pitch, he came to spring training last year and continued to work on it and it now has become a serviceable pitch for him and one he relies on to finish hitters off for strikeouts. If he can maintain a feel for the splitter it is the out pitch he has been missing in his repertoire.

While Dixon's year-to-year numbers are not exactly eye-popping, his ability to be consistent start to start to where he can be relied on to give six to seven quality innings each outing is invaluable. In addition to refining his split-finger, he has also been working on repeating his delivery and ironing out some flaws in his mechanics. He gets in trouble at times where he will fall off to the side and land on the outside of his foot which causes everything to drag. Going forward, he needs to continue to focus on getting out in front of his pitches, which will really help improve his command. It is just a matter of him solidifying his delivery and trusting his delivery to allow him to throw the ball like he is capable of throwing it and commanding it.

Outlook: Dixon has the potential to one day crack a major league roster because of his durability and penchant for being an innings-eater. Due to the depth of pitching expected to be at Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus in 2009, it is not known where Dixon will fit this coming season. With so many big league ready arms likely in the Triple-A Columbus rotation, Dixon is probably destined for a bullpen role as a swing guy or remains in the starting rotation in Akron to start the season.

Photo courtesy of Ken Carr

Kevin Dixon MinorLeagueBaseball.com stats page

Kevin Dixon Baseball-Reference page

Kevin Dixon MinorLeagueSplits.com page

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