The Book on Chris Mason

Prospect Info

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Chris Mason
Born 7/1/1984
RHP, TB

A second round pick from the 2005 draft, Chris Mason is a converted outfielder with a low-90's moving fastball and a nasty slider/curve, and a developing changeup. The 23-year-old righthander spent almost the whole 2007 with the Montgomery Biscuits (AA), and led the Southern League with a 15-4 record and a 2.53 ERA in 2007. He ranked fourth with 132 strikeouts, enough to garner the League's Pitcher of the Year Award. The league's most consistent starter, Mason did not allow more than three runs in any of his 13 second-half starts for the Biscuits.

Sadly, Mason crashed back to earth when challenged with the MLB veterans peppered across AAA rosters in 2008. While his strikeout rate remained about the same (7.5/9), he put up an ugly 3-10 record with a 6.21 ERA. His slider has always been a plus pitch, and his changeup was looking MLB ready before last season. His fastball barely cracks 90mph, though, so he has very little margin of error when his control isn't all there.

Look for a regrouping and possible return to form in 2009, probably back in Montgomery where he knows he can succeed. If he can't cut it as a starter this year, the bullpen door remains open.

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