Indians Top 100 Prospects: #85 Marty Popham

85. Marty Popham - Right-handed Pitcher
Born: 08/04/1987 - Height: 6'6" - Weight: 235 - 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
2008	20	Union College	C	17	1	2.27	18	18	0	123.0	98	31	5	32	133	2.3	9.7	1.06
2008	20	GCL Indians	R	1	1	0.78	14	0	1	23.0	15	2	0	5	25	2.0	9.8	0.87

History: Popham was a 20th round pick in the 2008 Draft out of Union College (KY). His 17 wins led the NAIA.

Strengths & Opportunities: Popham is a big, physical pitcher with a nice loose arm with a fastball that sits around 90-92 MPH. He has some arm strength, so his velocity is expected to increase some more. He also throws a slider and changeup, with the slider having the potential to be a good major league pitch. Because of his heavy workload in college last year where he dominated the NAIA circuit, after signing the Indians really limited his workload the rest of the season and used his time in the rookie level GCL as an orientation to professional baseball. His numbers were impressive in college and in his first taste of professional ball last year in the GCL, so while he is ranked low now he could have some serious helium in the system next year if his early showing carries over to a full season team in 2009.

Outlook: Popham is expected to open the 2009 season with a full season team, and while it is up in the air whether he will be a starter or reliever, at this point it seems likely that he will open the season in the Single-A Lake County bullpen.

Photo courtesy of Union College Sports Information

Marty Popham's MinorLeagueBaseball.com stat page

Marty Popham's Baseball-Reference page

Marty Popham's MinorLeagueSplits.com page

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