Matt DeSalvo

Entering 2006, DeSalvo was regarded as one of the brighter starting arms in the Yankees' farm system. He completely derailed however, and is almost certain to open up the upcoming season at Double-A Trenton unless he manages to completely turns his career around and show some control on the mound.

DeSalvo has gone from undrafted free agent to one of the Yankees' better starting pitching prospects. The 25-year-old is a big strikeout guy but needs work on his curve and change if he's to make an impact in the majors. The Yankees did add him to the 40-man roster, though, so clearly they see a future for him.

DeSalvo became the all-time NCAA career strikeout (603) and wins (53) leader. In doing so, he claimed his third Ohio Athletic Conference pitcher of the year award in 2003. At 6-foot, 170-pounds, with an unorthodox delivery, he was largely ignored as most scouts felt he was an injury waiting to happen that couldn’t take his stuff to the pros. Signed as free-agent fifth-year senior from Marietta (Ohio) College, he features a fastball that tops out at 94 mph and is worked anywhere between 87-93, and he gets good depth on his 12-to-6 curveball. He is a three-pitch pitcher who might emerge as a starter but many have compared him to the A's Chad Bradford. After a solid 2003 rookie season in which he struck out in excess of a batter per inning, he’s set to move to high Single-A and the organization’s lack of quality pitching prospects could have him moving quickly if he shows himself to be durable.