Baseball America, 11/13/07
Strengths: As a lefty two-way player in college, he garnered comparisons to Mark Mulder. While his fastball velocity was down for much of the spring, Savery flashed 90-94 mph heaters by May and pitched at 88-92 mph in his pro debut. He also can be effective at 86-89 mph. His changeup has the potential to be an above-average pitch and his slurvy breaking ball grades as average to plus. The Phillies rave about his work ethic.
Weaknesses: Just a year removed from surgery, Savery predictably struggled with the command of all his pitches in his pro debut. He didn’t repeat his delivery well, in part because he was worn down. The last four Rice starting pitchers drafted in the first round have had major arm surgeries, a track record that scared a lot of clubs.
Baseball America, 9/26/07
Savery had a decorated collegiate career at Rice, winning Baseball America’s Freshman of the Year award in 2005 and first-team All-America honors as a two-way star this spring. The Phillies might never have gotten the chance to draft him at No. 19 had he not been slowed by offseason surgery to shave down a bone growth in his shoulder, and they monitored his workload carefully this summer.
Savery looked good in limited action, running his fastball up to 92 mph and showing an above-average downer curveball and solid changeup. He’s very polished, with command of all his offerings and a smooth, repeatable delivery.
Baseball America, 11/16/07
16. Joe Savery, lhp, Peoria Saguaros (Phillies)
Like a lot of Rice pitchers, Savery comes with some medical baggage. The 2007 first-rounder had minor surgery last year to shave down a bone growth in the back of his shoulder that was causing some fraying in his labrum. That didn’t affect his reputation too badly, as the Dodgers were ready to take him if the Phillies didn’t in the first round. In the AFL, Savery showed much better stuff than his pro debut. He clearly benefited from the short break between instructional league and the Fall League, finishing 1-1, 0.64 in 14 innings. Savery’s fastball velocity was 87-92, but still struggled to command it at times. His secondary pitches—a slurvy breaking ball and changeup—still need more polish, and his 5-11 strikeout-walk ratio is indicative of that.
mlb.com Pre-Draft scouting report
Savery was able to work his fastball in and out on right-handers and against lefties he pounded the inner half of the zone. His movement was average, throwing a steady diet of four-seamers. He threw very few breaking pitches, but the few he threw were sharp and near the plate. Obviously, working back from labrum surgery, Savery and the coaching staff are mixing in fewer breaking balls. Savery’s changeup was outstanding. All three of his strikeouts came on the change. His arm speed remained steady throwing the offspeed pitch and it dove sharply away from right-handed-hitters. Joe had pinpoint control of the changeup, and his fastball was right on or barely off the corners. The two walks are a tad deceiving as both were lengthy at-bats. He was straight business on the hill. Mechanically sound and hitting the mitt through his four innings. He continues to improve his ability to hold runners on after having trouble with that area in his first two seasons at Rice. His defensive ability as a first baseman and sheer knowledge of pitching continues to manifest itself. Savery started off about half of the hitters he faced with first-pitch strikes. Though his velocity is below where he’d like it, he is still willing to challenge hitters. Very athletic in the field with good stamina. After being limited to 40 pitches on opening day, Savery had a 55-pitch limit Sunday and performed well without any lingering pain. The coaching staff is being very cautious with Savery as he works back to 100% health coming off labrum surgery in the offseason. Athleticism, fielding and ability to throw three pitches for strikes consistently. Movement. As Savery returns to health his movement on his fastball will return. His changeup showed great movement in contrast. Savery had another good rehab start Sunday. He continues to show the poise of a third-year starter and effectively serves as the leader of the starting rotation.
2007: Phillies #3 (Baseball America), NYPL #2 (BA), AFL #16 (BA), Phillies #2 (KLaw)
