This year I be releasing my Top 25 Prospects in conjunction with the people over at Between the Green Pillars, which means the list is going to posted somewhat out of order to match up with what Ryan and Jay have for their Top 25. An up-to-date list of the Bernie's Crew Top 25 can be found at the bottom of each individual post.  There will be a new prospect posted each day both here at Bernie's Crew, and also over at Between the Green Pillars.  Each prospect overview will have thoughts from both blogs as well.  Be sure to check back daily!

Evan Anundsen

Born: 5/17/1988
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 200 lbs
Throws: R

Anundsen put together a pretty good season with the West Virginia Power, going 12-8 with a 4.28 ERA.  He has a very heavy fastball that works in the lower-90s or higher-80s, which allows Evan to induce tons of ground balls -- his GO/AO ratio was a very impressive 2.71.  To go with that fastball, Evan throws a pretty good curveball and a changeup.  He mostly relies on his fastball, however.  His strike out rate is a modest 6.3 K/9 and will likely stagnate as he progresses up the system, so his upside is rather limited as a starter.  The right-hander's success completely depends on his control, which is normally quite solid.  His BB/9 rate is a respectable 2.4 and his HR/9 rate is a very good 0.5.  Anundsen makes his living on the black and letting opposing hitters pound the ball into the ground.  At the lower levels, it is effective, but Evan will need to keep his home run rate down as he moves up the minor league food chain.

There are some reasons to be concerned, however.  Evan really struggled down the stretch -- posting a 4.76 and 6.35 ERA in July and August, respectively.  His ground ball rates were fairly solid during the months, but his walk rate increased.  The late-year struggles can probably be explained by a pretty extreme jump in innings pitched, however.  In 2007 with the Helena Brewers, Evan threw only 77.1 innings.  That number jumped to 145 innings last season.  His arm was tired, and his mind was most likely fatigued after his first full season in the minors.  It will be very interesting to see how Evan progesses next season in Brevard County.  Will he struggle like he did in July and August, or will the right-hander revert back to his early-season form he showed in 2008?  At best, Evan projects to be a fifth starter or a journeyman swing starter in the majors.

POTENTIAL: C
CHANCE OF REACHING THAT POTENTIAL: B-
PROJECTED ARRIVAL: 2012
OVERALL: C

Jim's Ranking: 25

Between the Green Pillars

Bernie's Crew Top 25 Prospects

#25 -- Evan Anundsen