After being a second round pick in 1997 out of High School,Rick
Ankiel's fast rise through the minors is about to climax when he takes the
mound on Tuesday in Montreal against the Expos.He will be replacing the
recently demoted Jose Jimenez on the Cardinals roster.
After being passed on by teams in the first round of the 1997 because
of potential signing problems,the Cardinals took the chance by
selecting him and then signing him for $2.5 million.Rick has done nothing
to disappoint. In 1998, Rick dominated at both Peoria and Prince William.
At Peoria,the 19 year old was 3-0, 2.06 ERA,while recording 41 K's and
walking just 12 in 35 innings. Upon his promotion to Prince William,his
mastery over hitters continued while rolling up a 9-6 with a 2.79 ERA. The
most impressive numbers were 181 K's in 126 innings while walking 38 and
allowing 91 hits.
A native of Port St. Lucie,FL standing at 6'1",210 lbs has a 95 MPH
fastball to go with an exceptional curve and change. This lefty has the
potential not to just be the #1 starter on the Cardinals staff but, with
continued development, to be one of the most dominating pitchers in all of
Baseball.
Starting this season, the Cardinals fought off temptation to bring him
right to the Majors out of Spring Training, instead, decided on sending
Rick to Double-A Arkansas. The Texas League proved to be no match for him
as he posted a 6-0 record with a microscopic 0.91 ERA,all the while
recording 75 K's in just 49 innings,giving up only 25 hits and just 16
walks. In May,the Cardinals decide to promote Ankiel to Triple-A Memphis
in the PCL. In 16 starts there. Rick compiled a 7-3 record with a 3.16
ERA,while continuing to striking out well over a batter per (inning 119
K's in 88 1/3 innings) This recently turned 20 year old showed all season
long why he is the top power pitching prospect in Baseball. Already having
won numerous awards including Midwest and Florida St. League's best
pitching prospect in 1998 and recently was selected by "Baseball America"
as the top pitching prospect in the Pacific Coast League. It is quite
possible Rick Ankiel will continue to pile up awards well into the next
century.