![Phillies prospect Carlos Carrasco, in his second season at Reading, has the size and the tools to be a major-league pitcher. "I really don't think he knows how good he can be. [He needs] confidence," says his catcher.](http://media.philly.com/images/20080711_inq_ccarrasco11-a.JPG)
Photos: 2008 Phillies
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Carrasco is the Phillies' top prospect and a potential key to the rest of the season. He could bolster the beleaguered starting rotation either as a call-up or the most coveted part of a trade package for a veteran pitcher.
At the top of the grandstand, Carrasco sat down in front of the three men. One held a 16-word statement under the camera printed on a small piece of white paper to read.
Hi, I'm pitcher Carlos Carrasco. Thank you to Pepsi for sponsoring tonight's Reading Brooks cap giveaway.
"We did it about 10 times," Andy Kauffman, the team's video director, said. "We maybe got one good cut."
Carrasco smiled and laughed after each take. The native Venezuelan stumbled through an interview that followed. It's not that his English is bad, those around him say. He's just not confident with it.
Lou Marson would say the same thing about Carlos Carrasco on the mound. Marson has caught Carrasco every step of the way: Gulf Coast League in 2004, Batavia in 2005, Lakewood in 2006, Clearwater in 2007, and now Reading.
He has witnessed the maturation of Carrasco. And he knows what's holding him back.
"I honestly don't think he knows how good he is," Marson said. "Seriously. I really don't think he knows how good he can be. [He needs] confidence."
Carrasco, 21, will pitch in his third Futures Game on Sunday at Yankee Stadium. Pitching coach Tom Filer says Carrasco has the best fastball velocity he has seen in the five years he has been with the organization. (Yes, that includes Cole Hamels.)
But he has made more starts at Reading than any of the Phillies' top pitching prospects in the last decade. His numbers don't jump off the page. Only this year, with the language barrier eclipsed, did he start conversing with his pitching coach for tips.
Carrasco, though, describes himself as a new pitcher this season. He is 5-7 for a last-place team, with a 4.18 ERA in 15 starts. He pitches tonight after skipping his last start because of a mild shoulder strain suffered on July 2.
"Last year, I didn't have what I have this year," he said. "I have fastball command. My changeup is moving really well. I'm working a little more on my curve and consistency."
In 13 starts at Reading in 2007, Carrasco struck out 6.3 batters per nine innings. Now it's up to 8.3. He is getting more groundballs and allowing fewer home runs.
But that should be expected in his second year at the same level.
"He's a good-looking prospect," one American League scout said of the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder. "He has a really good arm. They're looking for a little bit more consistency, but he has the arm and he has the size."
"He's probably a middle-of-the-rotation guy. They haven't rushed him. They've done a good job with it."
He has new priorities off the field. Pull Carrasco away from the cameras and the clubhouse, where his teammates are always teasing, and he's more comfortable than ever. "Do you need a translator?" one player asks as Carrasco departs the clubhouse. He shakes his head. No, Carrasco made it a priority this season to work on his English, enlisting fellow pitcher Fabio Castro as his tutor.
"Last year, too many people came here and I said, 'No, no, no. I can't speak,' " Carrasco said. "This year I have to do it. In the big leagues, you do it every single day. I try to know more."
But his public speaking is a work in progress, as is his presence on the mound.
So where will the confidence come from? Most agree: It begins with consistency. Carrasco needs to string together a span of quality starts before they start talking about the next level.
Filer points to the fastball. If Carrasco can consistently locate his finest weapon, "he's just going to take off," Filer said. He generally tops out at 96 m.p.h. and hovers within the 90-93 range. Only control is holding it back.
Marson said Carrasco has the tendency to shy away from his fastball late in games. Whether or not that's a sign of fatigue, no one is sure. Right now, Carrasco relies on his secondary pitches when he's in trouble, especially the changeup.
"All of the stuff that he works on, you want to just see it materialize on the mound," Filer said. "It's coming. But it's a little bit slow."
It is taking time - Carrasco's start tonight at Reading will be his 29th in two years. Out of the Phillies' top pitching prospects in the last 10 years, only Carlos Silva (28 starts) has had nearly as many at double A. Hamels and Kyle Kendrick made 15 combined starts at Reading. Gavin Floyd pitched in 20 games, and Brett Myers started 23.
But when Phillies assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle saw Carrasco pitch on May 20, he told Filer, "He's considerably better than last year at this point."
Carrasco won't turn 22 until next March, so there's no rush, Filer said. He has mentored Carrasco for nearly a year and is only starting to know him.
"He asks more questions now," Filer said. "Last year, he came around [the coaches' office] and it was pretty quiet."
Carrasco hears the people talking behind his back, too. He said he knows about the trade talks. Seattle had two scouts to watch Carrasco on July 2, but he was scratched with the shoulder injury.
"I want to go to the Phillies," Carrasco said. "I don't want a trade. If it's good for me, OK, I go on a trade. I want to play in the big leagues with the Phillies, though. They're my team.
"I try not to worry about it."
Carrasco wants to play in the majors this season. Marson believes a promotion could be the needed boost for the young pitcher's confidence. Filer isn't ready for a similar proclamation, but he appreciates the steady steps Carrasco has taken.
Even the smaller ones that have led to that smile on his face after correctly reciting a 16-word advertisement.
"He understands more," Filer said. "He understands the game. He understands more of the language. It's like watching someone grow up in front of you. There's a lot to the kid."
at 215-854-4550
|
|
|
|
|
|
REGIONAL SCOREBOARD
Latest Sports Blogs
TOP STORIES
Green
email this
print this
reprint or license this
Buy tickets online
