Andy Sisco

After a promising rookie year as a Rule 5 draftee in 2005, the 6-9 Sisco was expected to take another big jump and earn a setup job. He struggled early and often in 2006 and was even demoted for a two-week stretch at the end of July. At 24, the lefty has some time to refine his control and could eventually become a starter in the big leagues. After being traded to the White Sox, he'll initially work in middle relief.

The Cubs' loss is the Royals' gain. The Royals snatched Sisco in the Rule 5 draft, which meant they had to keep him on the major league roster the entire season. No problem. Sisco was one of the best pitchers for the Royals in 2005, starting in long relief but quickly moving into more important roles. A starter in Single-A for three seasons, the Royals have options with this incredible lefty. Don't be surprised to see him starting in the majors as soon as 2006.

Often compared to Randy Johnson because he is a tall (6-9), left-handed power pitcher, Sisco to some extent validated that comparison at high Single-A last season. But like a young Johnson, he has control issues, walking 65 batters, hitting seven others, and throwing nine wild pitches. The Royals selected him in the Rule V draft and may convert him to relief. He throws in the low-to-mid 90s, but until he shows better command of his breaking stuff, he's not likely to dominate.

At 6’ 9”, 260 lbs, the young left-hander will obviously draw comparisons to Randy Johnson, but it’s premature at this stage of his career. His fastball averages in the low to mid-nineties but has been clocked as high as 97 mph. Scouts believe that as he develops and matures, he should be able to average closer to that speed. He also possesses a good split-fingered fastball, a decent changeup and an effective, but inconsistent curveball. Sisco pitched well in Low-A ball last season, but he'll have to master his offspeed pitches to be that effective at higher levels. Expect him to begin 2004 at Class A Daytona (High-A) and work his way up to Double-A if things go smoothly there. His ETA with the Cubs is probably 2005 or 2006.

At 6’ 9”, 260 lbs, the young left-hander will obviously draw comparisons to Randy Johnson, but it’s premature at this stage of his career. As a 19-year old in Rookie ball for Boise, he posted an impressive 7-2 record in 2002, with an ERA of 2.42 and a strikeout average of 11.70 combined with a WHIP of 1.159 in 77 and two-thirds innings. His fastball averages in the low to mid-nineties but has been clocked as high as 97 mph. Scouts believe that as he develops and matures, he should be able to average closer to that speed. He also possesses a good split-fingered fastball but Cubs management want him to develop some off-speed pitches, which have been thus far, unremarkable. 2003 should see him at Low-A Lansing where he’ll continue to work on a changeup and curveball. While not evident in his Rookie numbers, his command is still questionable but he’s fairly advanced for a 20-year old power left-hander. If he were able to harness his control, and develop a decent changeup, we'd expect his arrival to the majors by 2005.