Indians Top 100 Prospects: #28 Eric Berger

28. Eric Berger - Left-handed Pitcher
Born: 04/22/1986 - Height: 6'2" - Weight: 205 - Bats: Left - Throws: Left

Year	Age	Team	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	BB/9	K/9	WHIP
2008	22	U of Arizona	C	8	4	4.34	18	13	0	74.2	70	36	4	34	67	4.1	8.1	1.39
2008	22	Mahoning Vy	A-	2	0	2.12	8	8	0	34.0	26	8	2	9	41	2.4	10.9	1.03
2008	22	Lake County	A	0	0	2.08	2	1	0	4.1	3	1	0	2	4	4.2	8.3	1.15

History: Berger was an 8th round pick in the 2008 Draft out of the University of Arizona. He started his 2008 season in the Arizona bullpen to build up arm strength since he was coming off Tommy John surgery in July 2006, and by the end of their season he was back in the starting rotation. He signed with the Indians quickly and was sensational in his professional debut at short-season Single-A Mahoning Valley. He got a late season call-up to Single-A Lake County, but in his first appearance strained an oblique in the third inning while trying to field a bunt. As a result he was shut down until the final week of the season and only made two appearances with Lake County.

Strengths & Opportunities: Berger has a standard three-pitch mix of a fastball, 12-6 curveball, and changeup. Before undergoing Tommy John surgery, Berger touched 96 MPH with his fastball but currently sits between 90-93 MPH now. When the 2009 season beings, Berger is expected to finally be 100% recovered from the surgery so there is a good chance that his velocity will kick up another MPH or two. The curveball and changeup grade out as average pitches, but while Berger shows more confidence in the changeup, his curveball has more depth to it and has the potential to be an above average offering and swing-and-miss pitch at the next level.

In his initial exposure to professional baseball, Berger established the ball down in the zone very well. Going forward, most of the focus will be in establishing a good second and third pitch to complement his plus fastball. Whether that means he keeps the changeup-curveball or the Indians scrap one of both of them for something else remains to be seen. In addition to developing his secondary pitches, the focus will be on getting him to continue working down in the zone and refining his command. He has been a little inconsistent with his command, but is to be expected coming back from such a surgery.

Outlook: Berger really threw the ball well last year in his professional debut, and is sort of carrying a chip on his shoulder because of all the teams that passed on him in the draft because of the injury. He is an advanced college pitcher, and a guy who should move quickly through the lower levels of the system. He should open the 2009 season in the starting rotation at advanced Single-A Kinston, and could possibly see time in Double-A Akron by the end of the season.

Photo courtesy of Ken Carr

Eric Berger MinorLeagueBaseball.com stats page

Eric Berger Baseball-Reference page

Eric Berger MinorLeagueSplits.com page

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