By John Klima
August 15, 2009
The Cincinnati Reds agreed to terms with right-handed starter Brad Boxberger, the 43rd overall selection in the 2009 MLB draft, on a reported signing bonus of $857,000. Baseball Beginnings scouted and captured video of Boxberger, from the University of Southern California, this spring.
Read Brad Boxberger Scouting report
Watch Brad Boxberger Scouting Video
By John Klima
June 19, 2009
Brad Boxberger, RHP
USC (2009 Draft)
6-2, 200
Games seen: 2, Innings: 10
(43rd overall pick, 2009 Draft, Cincinnati Reds)
By John Klima
June 18, 2009
Brad Boxberger got lost a bit in the national shuffle during the college season, overshadowed as USC played .500 baseball, Grant Green had all the attention, Robert Stock pitched his way out of college and Mike Leake and Arizona State made their run to the College World Series.
But Boxberger has the makings of a middle-of-the-rotation major league starter. He has the aptitude to pitch above his grades, but we’ll have to see how his stuff translates in pro ball. He has enough velocity for a right-hander to get by, touching 94 with max effort, but usually working at a breezy and effective 90-92. As a college pitcher, Boxberger needed time to get loose early in the game. He got a reputation, however true or unfounded, that he was a bad first inning pitcher.
What Boxberger does have is three pitches and an effective knuckle-curve deal which showed tight rotation and bite. That’s where the comparison to Mike Mussina comes to mind. Neither right-hander had overpowering stuff, but both had a breaking ball for strikes and both understood how to change speeds, pitch backwards, and screw with pitch sequences. It would be one thing if Boxberger was smoke and mirrors and no velocity; it’s quite another when he’s smoke, mirrors and stuff.
We captured this video late in the season at Cal State Northridge. It wasn’t his best outing, but the video gives a clear idea of his physical description, arm action, and some of his stuff’s life. Click to see the video.
