Name: Adam Plutko
Position: Right-handed starting pitcher
Current team: Low-A Lake County
Age: 22
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 195
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Facts & Info: Plutko was selected in the 11th round of the 2013 Draft out of UCLA. Last season, he extended his school record for postseason wins to seven while pitching UCLA to the National Championship.
The Stuff: Plutko has average stuff across the board with four solid average pitches that he commands well and uses really effectively to change speeds, change eye levels and locate. His average fastball sits at 88-90 MPH and flashes 92 MPH, but what really sets him apart is his ability to command and locate it to every part of the strike zone and not being afraid to attack hitters with it. With the way he commands his fastball low in the zone, he is able to induce a lot of weak contact and get quick outs. He has a really good changeup that at times flashes plus, and also throws a curveball and slider that are average offerings.
The Delivery: The Indians like the low effort he has in his delivery and believe that if they can get him a little stronger and generate more momentum in his delivery that he might see an uptick in the quality of his stuff across the board. If that happens and his outstanding command remains intact, then he suddenly has some upside and could truly project as a mid-rotation starter that hauls innings.
The Intangibles: Plutko is a pitcher with a big track record in college who enjoyed a lot of success, and he is a polished arm that should be able to move through the system pretty quickly. He is a low ceiling, high floor pitcher that projects as a back-of-the-rotation starter that barring injury should pitch in the major leagues. He has advanced pitch ability and has shown an ability to pitch in high pressure situations.
The Focus: Plutko throws lots of strikes and has solid secondary stuff, but he does not throw hard, has no plus pitch and has no true out pitch. His curveball and slider need more refinement, and he has a tendency to nibble, which at times can put him into dangerous hitter's counts, where he can be exposed.
The Future: Plutko is sort of a wildcard as he may just be what he is though there is still some unknown with him because of his high amount of success in college. He was a performer in college the last three years and had unbelievable consistency, and if he can carry that consistent success over to the professional ranks then the Indians have themselves a pitcher who could pitch for them in the middle to back of the starting rotation in Cleveland for a long time.
