Indians Top 50: #39 Clayton Cook

Clayton Cook - Right-handed Pitcher
Born: 07/23/1990 - Height: 6'3" - Weight: 175 - Bats: Right - Throws: Right

Year	Age	Team	Lvl	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG	BB/9	K/9	WHIP
2008	17	GCL Indians	R	1	2	2.52	11	6	25.0	20	7	2	8	26	.217	2.9	9.4	1.12
2009	18	Mahoning Vy	A-	5	3	2.79	14	14	67.2	55	21	2	26	64	.224	3.5	8.6	1.21
		Totals		6	5	2.72	25	20	92.2	75	28	4	34	90	.222	3.3	8.8	1.18

History:  Cook was selected by the Indians in the 9th round of the 2008 Draft out of Amarillo High School (TX).  He drew attention to scouts his senior year when he struck out 170 hitters in just 98 innings going 12-3 with a 1.98 ERA.  He had committed to playing at Oklahoma, but he signed with the Indians quickly and agreed to a signing bonus just over $100,000.

Strengths & Opportunities: Cook throws a nice mix of three pitches, led by a fastball that sits at 87-89 MPH and touches 91 MPH, and he complements it with a curveball and changeup.  He puts the ball over the plate and has tons of projection.  His best pitch is his fastball which has good movement, and he commands it well to both sides of the plate.  He will likely never be a big-time power pitcher, but his long frame and age combined with good arm action should allow him to add more velocity as he matures.  His fastball did not show any increased velocity last year, but he still showed good improvement with his command of it.  His curveball also improved into a solid secondary offering, but the key to his whole arsenal will be the development of his changeup to give him at least three solid-average pitches so he can remain a starter.

Cook's performance his first two years in the Indians system is certainly eye catching because it was unexpected considering he was still transitioning to professional baseball and was a few years younger than the league average.  He has pitched well beyond his years and impressed the Indians with his composure and maturity on the mound at such a young age considering he didn't turn 19 years old until half way through the season with short-season Single-A Mahoning Valley last year, a league often dominated with college draft picks from the recent draft.  His confidence level and composure on the mound is outstanding where he often shows an ability to battle and get outs even when he doesn't have his best stuff.  He handles himself professionally and comes to the field everyday with a determined focus ready to work and get better.

Even with his success to date, Cook still has a long way to go with his development and has a lot to learn about getting into a routine.  He opened last season in extended spring training, and it is there that the Indians coaches worked with him on improving his pitching mechanics and secondary offerings.  He worked on the command of his curveball and also tightening it up because it was a bit loopy, and the results showed last season as he was better able to throw it consistently for strikes.  He has a pretty good delivery, so the Indians will continue to educate him on taking care of himself, how to better attack hitters, and acclimating him to professional baseball.  His changeup needs more consistency as while it was very good for him in 2008 it came and went last year.

Outlook:  Ever since signing with the Indians, Cook has put up some impressive numbers both in his professional debut with the rookie level Gulf Coast league team in 2008 and then last year with Mahoning Valley.  He is one of the rare cases where a young player for the league dominates and puts up great numbers all while still learning and adjusting to the life and routine of a professional baseball player.  After two outstanding statistical seasons and lots of projection in him still, he is starting to look like one of the best sleeper picks from the 2008 Draft.  He has the draft pedigree and the numbers to back up the assertion that he is one of the Indians best young, promising pitching prospects.  He should open the 2010 season in the starting rotation at Low-A Lake County.

Photo courtesy of Tony Lastoria

Clayton Cook MinorLeagueBaseball.com page

Clayton Cook Baseball-Reference page

Clayton Cook MinorLeagueSplits.com page

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