Suprise Signing Could Be Gain For Dischler, Indians

Dischler is focused on his future
(Photo: Lianna Holub)

Right-handed pitcher Anthony Dischler used a big year in college in 2010 to help drive up his draft stock, which eventually led to him being drafted and signed by the Indians.

Dischler, 21, was selected by the Indians in the 23rd round of the 2010 Draft out of Louisiana State University-Eunice Junior College. As a draft eligible sophomore at LSU-Eunice last year he went 11-3 with a 3.56 ERA and threw two complete games in 20 appearances (17 starts). In total he threw 91.0 innings and allowed 84 hits, 3 home runs, 33 walks, and had 68 strikeouts.

It was a much better year than the lost season Dischler had in 2009 at Louisiana-Monroe University where he had a poor freshman campaign going 2-1 with a 9.64 ERA in seven appearances (3 starts). In 18.2 innings he allowed 29 hits, 2 home runs, 15 walks, and had 7 strikeouts.

Dischler had a bad year performance-wise, but also was not used like the coach there promised he would be, so he transferred to LSU-Eunice after the 2009 school year.

"It was not a good year at all," Dischler said about his freshman year in a recent interview for the IPI. "It was partially due to walks, but I didn't have the opportunities the coaches said I would get as I didn't get out there a lot. I think part of it was being young, and I just didn't feel like it was a good fit for me. So I got out at the right time and went to a good program and was able to get drafted."

Dischler's year in 2010 at LSU-Eunice was like night and day compared to his prior season at Louisiana-Monroe.

"Oh definitely," Dischler said. "I got the opportunity [at LSU-Eunice] as I had 14 starts and a few relief appearances. I pitched in some big games as we went to the World Series and we won it. I pitched a lot of innings against some good competition so I definitely got a lot better."

After Dischler's good showing on the mound at LSU-Eunice both subjectively and objectively this past season he had a lot of interest going into the draft as a possible high round pick but slid for singability reasons. He had a commitment to attend Louisiana-Lafayette, but in the end he and the Indians were able to agree to a $255,000 signing bonus.

It was a signing that really Dischler and the Indians did not expect, but some last minute phone calls and conversations led to a deal.

"I just went through the whole summer and played a little bit of summer ball and just took a break," Dischler said. "I hadn't heard much from the Indians until the last couple of days [before the signing deadline]. They gave me a call and we were able to work out a deal and I was able to [get going]."

Dischler had not thrown for about five weeks since pitching summer ball in the Northwoods League, so the Indians immediately assigned him to short-season Single-A Mahoning Valley where he spent about two weeks there getting his arm back in shape and threw a few bullpens before making two appearances at the end of the season. In those two games he threw 5.0 innings and allowed 3 hits, 1 unearned run, 1 walk, and had 5 strikeouts.

Dischler is a groundball pitcher who throws a sinking fastball that sits at 90-94 MPH and complements it with two promising secondary pitches in a changeup and slider. As a reliever his fastball has touched 97 MPH, so there is some thought down the road that his stuff may play up more in a relief role; however, at the outset of his pro career he is going to be developed as a starter.

With the stress of the draft and signing process behind Dischler, he can now finally fully concentrate on doing what he needs to do to improve and achieve his goal of pitching in the big leagues some day.

"I was not up to par with my play this past summer," Dischler said. "[I had] a few good outings [in Mahoning Valley so] it should kind of give me something to look forward to next season. Instead of finishing on a bad note I [finished] on a good note and can go right into next year and have some confidence."

Follow Tony and the Indians Prospect Insider on Twitter @TonyIPI.  His latest book the 2010 Cleveland Indians Top 100 Prospects & More is also available for purchase on his site for a special year end closeout sale of $10.00 (including shipping and handling stateside).

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