MCB Top 30: #26 Tyler Stohr

Proper Name: Tyler S. Stohr
Born: Sept. 19, 1986 in Newburgh, N.Y.
High School: Melbourne (Fla.) Central HS
College: North Florida
Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 210
Bats: L Throws: R

150,000 dollars later, and with one season now under his belt, 2008 sixth round pick Tyler Stohr has developed into a true relief and closer prospect. A product of the University of North Florida, Stohr shut down a Atlantic Sun leading ten saves in 2008, also good enough for 11th in the Nation. He hit the top prospect radar in the summer of 2007 with a great performance in the infamous Cape Cod League, where he was named an all-star as the closer of the Hyannis Mets.  His fastball can reach up to 96 miles per hour, and the young Stohr has already become a commodity in an organization deep in relievers.

Professional Career

Though many througout baseball thought that Stohr had the stuff to develop into a true starter, The Tigers opted to keep him in the pen as the 2008 Oneonta Tigers closer. In 20 innings pitched, Stohr accumulated 12 saves, 24 strike outs, 15 walks, and a 3.98 ERA.

Going into the season, Stohr noted that one of the things he really needed to work on was his fastball location. He took steps in the right direction, by holding hitters to a .229 average and strking out hitters at a solid 10.62 per nine innings. Though those numbers sound pretty good, his BABIP and BB/9 ratios are pretty bad. As a closer, especially an up and coming prospect, you want to make sure you keep as many hitters off the bases. He walked 6.94 batters per nine innings, and allowed a .338 average on balls hit in play. But when it comes down to it, he got the job done, and that is what matters in this league.

Pitch Selection

Stohr throws in access of four pitches. A slider, which has a great amount of bite and is slowly developing into his secondary pitch. It fits his mentality on the mound, which is going at hitters without a vengence. He also throws a decent curve and changeup. Like any 22 year old though, these pitches need a lot of development and work.

One thing that Stohr has to work on (and it will come with time) is pitch choice and location. He has been known in times to just rear back and throw the ball, instead of placing his pitches.

His fastball, which is his go to pitch, sits between 92-94 but has reaches 96 on the gun. Overall, his arm has also been very lively.

Accomplishments and Attitude

Already, Stohr is on the right track to a professional career if it just came down to attitude. He is commited to being a closer, and is willing to do whatever the Tigers organization throws at him.  Here are some of his accomplishments already as a young pitcher:

• 2008 New York Penn League All-Star
• Part of a three pitcher no hitter in 2008
• 2005 ESPN Radio Central Florida Player of the Year

Next year, Stohr should take over Noah Krol‘s role as the West Michigan Whitecap‘s closer in 2009.