Diamond in the Rough
 6/24/2008

SP Clayton Richard, 24 (LHP), Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox)

I have to start out this week’s “Diamond in the Rough” by giving props to RotoExperts very own Ben Ice for asking me if I have ever heard of this “dude”, which unfortunately my answer was “UH…NO”. After some research I can now say “Of course, hasn’t everyone!”

I did some digging and you should definitely take some notes on what I found. It just shows you that anyone can find a potential gem if they just look a little deeper once in a while.

Clayton Richard was an eighth round draft pick in 2005 out of the University of Michigan.  In 2004, he was also the backup quarterback for Michigan. That shows you he is definitely an athlete. He measures 6’ 5” and 240 pounds. That is one large southpaw. 

What struck me immediately once I started burrowing into his background is that he has a sinker that works. Why do I care about a good sinker?  Pretty simple. If a guy can induce groundballs lots of good things can happen. He can get himself out of jam with a nice double-play ball or he can limit his pitches in an inning thus lasting longer. But the most important reason is he usually keeps the ball in the yard.  Which means his ERA will have a good chance of being down.  Come on now. You didn’t think Aaron Cook would be that good did you? Yet he is a sinkerballer and so far has been the ace for the Rockies, not Jeff Francis.

Brandon Webb sort of snuck up on many fantasy touts and has became one of the most consistent fantasy baseball pitchers in recent history, not to mention a Cy Young winner in 2006. I can understand to some extent why many missed the call on Webb. After a near Rookie of the Year season in 2003, he lost 16 games for a Diamondbacks team that won only 51 games in 2004.  He turned the corner in 2005, and the rest of course is history.

I’m not saying that Richard is the second coming of Brandon Webb. I wouldn’t do that to anyone, except Justin Masterson.  What I am saying is that Richard, like Cook, could prove to be a valuable addition, and one certainly flying under the radar, if he gets a call. I think he will at some point, and so he is this weeks “Diamond in the Rough.”

Here is a comparison of Brandon Webb’s last full year in the minors (AA and AAA) and Clayton Richard’s year to date.

Webb AA and AAA:    159 IP 146 H 69 R 56 ER 63 BB 127 Ks 3.17 ERA 1.31 WHIP
Richard AA and AAA: 97.2 IP 73 H 32 R 26 ER 16 BB 65 Ks 2.40 ERA 0.91 WHIP

Clayton Richards Minor League Stats

2007 A+ (23)
8 W 12 L 3.63 ERA 28 G 27 GS 0 SV 161.1 INN 159 H 86 R 65 ER 11 HR 59 BB 99 SO 2.17 GO/AO .262 BAA

2008 AA and AAA (24)
8 W 6 L 2.40 ERA 15 G 15 GS 0 SV 97.2 INN 73 H 32 R 26 ER 2 HR 16 BB 65 SO 1.52 GO/AO .206 BAA

In fact, now that I compare the two, I almost want to hide this guy. But that would be the wrong thing to do. My job is to find guys like Richard (and Mike Aviles and Daryl Thompson, who I profiled a few weeks before their callups) so you can be the guy who looks brilliant when they perform beyond expectation.  If they stink up the joint…well, I have no idea where you heard about this lug.

Richard is 24 years old and Webb was 23 at the time. I think we can look past that one year of age difference.

There is a very, very good chance he will get called up this year and may help you down the stretch. I can see a future where Richard’s ability is being doubted. While everyone else is wondering where he came from sit back, crack a cold beverage of choice and smile while your league mates stumble around in the dark.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed