Where is he now? 2008 Miner Garrett Richards

I know I said I would do a 2010 Player Profile on an Anchorage Bucs player, but I changed my mind. In order to avoid burning through the entire Bucs and Panners rosters before any other team posts theirs up, I decided to take a break from the 2010 players this week and take a look back at a 2008 ABL alum and catch up on where they are now.

Garrett Richards

RHP - Mat-Su Miners, 2008
Bats: Right - Throws: Right
Height: 6'3" - Weight: 210lb
College: University of Oklahoma
Drafted: 2009 1st Round (supplemental), #42, LAA Angels
View Scouting Video

In the Alaska League:

Upon hearing that Richards had been drafted by the Angels, Miners GM Pete Christopher remarked, "I figured he'd be a first round pick". Garrett was one of the most talented in the ABL in 2008 and it was obvious that he was going places.



Richards was definitely on the draft radar before his ABL stint, and his summer-league numbers weren't phenomenal (2-1 on 4 starts, 3.42 ERA with 23 strikeouts and a 1.25 WHIP). But his stock rose while in Alaska where he polished up some mid-80's breaking stuff to go with his lively fastball, which tops out at 98 and settles around 95. Perfect Game ranked him the ABL's top prospect, and Baseball America pegged him at #2.

In the Minors:

Richards was taken in the first supplemental round in 2009, going #42 overall to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. His first assignment was to the Orem Owlz of the rookie-level Pioneer League, where he went 3-1 with a 1.53 ERA in 8 starts. In the course of his rookie league campaign he rang up 30 strikeouts while walking only four. His performance was good enough to earn a Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week award. Garrett was promoted to Single-A Cedar Rapids late in the year, but didn't make any appearances when the remainder of his season was shut down due to shoulder tightness.

The Future:

Richards will likely pick up where he left off, with the Cedar Rapids Kernels, in 2010. The injury he sustained in late 2009 shouldn't be a cause for immediate concern; it's probably just part of the process of growing accustomed to the rigors of the professional season. His immediate future depends on his first-half performance in the Midwest League. If he can stay healthy and consistent in the pitcher-friendly league he should advance to High-A Rancho Cucamonga by July.

In the longer term, Richards has Major League potential. His powerful and lively fastball (which is effective in both four- and two-seam versions) is complemented by a host of offspeed pitches. He isn't afraid to use his changeup in a lethal combination with his heater, and he also boasts a slider and a plus curveball. The main knock against Richards has been his lack of deception, and we'll have to see if he can work that out along the way. If he can improve upon that, and stay healthy, he could be on the fast track to the Majors.