Raw is the appropriate adjective to use when referring to 20-year-old right-hander Madison Younginer who was Boston’s seventh-round pick in the 2009 draft.
For starters, the athletically-gifted Younginer played outfield more than he pitched for Mauldin High School where he was voted the South Carolina Player of the Year.
Younginer threw a mere 18 innings (four starts and a handful of relief appearances) and was 4-0 with a 1.50 ERA plus 33 strikeouts. And because he signed late (for $975,000), Boston wasn’t able to assign him to a rookie league team. But Younginer did pitch in the 2009 fall instructional league which enabled him to boost his fastball into the mid-90s and occasionally a bit higher. He also changed the grip on his changeup which was a plus when he reported to Lowell for the 2010 season, after spending time in extended spring training.
“Because he didn’t pitch that much in high school he lacked an opportunity to work on his delivery,” said an American League scout. “Once he got into the season with Lowell he was more compact.
“He still needs to work on his release point … he really wasn’t consistent with it last season … and his command could use some work. He also could do a better job of holding on base runners. But that being said he’s aggressive and he’s a competitor. You wouldn’t think that would be the case because he looks so calm and reserved on the mound.”
Younginer displayed plus velocity and a big curveball that he also threw for strikes and which he also left up in the zone. That’s one reason why he only was 3-7 with a 4.79 ERA in 14 starts — and 1-6 with a 5.28 ERA this season with Lowell.
“This kid has a world of potential but he must work on repeating his delivery and tweak his mechanics,” said the scout. “At times he throws across his body and doesn’t follow through on his release.
“But he’s so athletic and at times his stuff is so filthy he may have what it takes to eventually make it to the majors.”
The chances of Younginer attending Clemson after graduating high school seemed better than his chances of pitching anywhere in pro ball. But the contract Boston lavished on him proved to be persuasive.
Chances are if he didn’t wait until one day before the August 14, 2009 deadline before signing he already would be one step higher up the proverbial ladder.