Kurt Ainsworth
San Francisco Giants
Position: RHP Height: 6-3 Weight: 185 Born: 9/9/78
| Year |
Team |
Level |
G |
GS |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
K |
W-L |
ERA |
SV |
| 1999 |
Salem-Keizer |
A |
10 |
10 |
44.2 |
34 |
18 |
8 |
18 |
64 |
3-3 |
1.61 |
0 |
| 2000 |
Shreveport |
AA |
28 |
28 |
158.0 |
138 |
67 |
58 |
63 |
130 |
10-9 |
3.30 |
0 |
| 2001 |
Fresno |
AAA |
27 |
26 |
149.0 |
139 |
91 |
84 |
54 |
157 |
10-9 |
5.07 |
0 |
| 2001 |
San Francisco |
NL |
2 |
0 |
2.0 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
0-0 |
13.50 |
0 |
Background
The Giants drafted Ainsworth in the first round in 1999, out of Louisiana State, where he'd gone 13-6 with a 3.45 ERA. A polished pitcher with big-game experience and a live arm, he was expected to make quick progress, with the Giants hoping he'd be ready for a major-league job by 2002. He is on schedule, competing well for a rotation spot this spring. Ainsworth pitched for the U.S. Olympic Team in 2000.
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The Rookies
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Throughout spring training, John Sickels will provide in-depth reports on 10 of the hottest rookies to watch. Here's the complete schedule:
Feb. 26: Josh Beckett, Marlins
March 2: Carlos Pena, A's
March 5: Nick Johnson, Yankees
March 8: Sean Burroughs, Padres
March 12: Juan Cruz, Cubs
March 15: Mike Cuddyer, Twins
March 19: Morgan Ensberg, Astros
March 22: Kurt Ainsworth, Giants
March 26: Hank Blalock, Rangers
March 29: Jon Rauch, White Sox
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Scouting report
Ainsworth brings a complete arsenal to the mound. His fastball can hit 94 mph, though 90-92 is more usual, and has good movement. His changeup, curveball, and slider are all solid pitches; none are exceptional, but all can get the job done when combined with his fastball. His control is very good, and he knows the details of pitching quite well. Composure under pressure isn't a problem most of the time, though he did nibble too much in his brief major-league exposure last year. He must be willing to throw strikes aggressively, but Ainsworth has shown the ability to make adjustments at each level, a by-product of his intelligence and confidence.
Performance
Ainsworth was excellent in rookie ball in '99, and did fine work in Double-A in 2000, ranking fifth in the Texas League ERA race, while earning All-Star honors. His '01 campaign at Triple-A Fresno was marred by a rough start. His ERA was well over 6.00 for most of the first half, as he had trouble with a blister that hurt command of his breaking pitches. Once that healed, he was fine, pitching very well down the stretch. Despite the 5.07 ERA, his K/BB, K/IP, and H/IP marks were all above average for the Pacific Coast League last year.
Health record
Aside from the '01 blister problem, Ainsworth has been healthy and durable as a professional. This was not true in college: he missed all of 1997 following Tommy John surgery, and pitched very little in 1998. The elbow is fine now, and his workload in the Giants system has not been abusive. His health risk is likely no higher than that of any other 23-year old pitcher.
What to expect
Ainsworth has made three starts this spring, and has done quite well, with a 2.81 ERA, second only to Kirk Rueter among potential Giants starters. Projecting how pitchers will adjust to the major leagues is always problematic, of course. But Ainsworth has the right combination of stuff and command to succeed. If he avoids excessive nibbling and challenges hitters, he should emerge as a solid member of the rotation, not a Cy Young candidate, but a dependable starter with a bright future.
John Sickels is the author of the 2002 STATS Minor League Scouting Notebook. He is currently writing a biography of Bob Feller. He lives in Lawrence, Kansas, with his wife, son, and two cats. You can send John questions or comments at JASickels@aol.com, or you can visit his homepage at hometown.aol.com/jasickels/page1.html.
