[Mario-Rijo]

6th Round #187 Overall DREW CISCO, rhp, Wando HS, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.



MLB.com:

Drew Cisco - P
Wando HS (S.C.), Sr.

* Birthdate: 7/29/1991
* Height: 6'2"
* Weight: 195 lbs.
* Bats: Right
* Throws: Right
* Scout's report filed: 3/26/10

Scouting Report

Fastball: Cisco clocks in regularly at 89-91 mph. He'll occasionally touch 92 mph.

Fastball movement: It's not quite average movement, but when it's down in the zone, there's some sink and there will sometimes be some tailing life to the inner half to right-handed hitters.

Curve: He throws it 77-78 mph and it's an average to above-average pitch now.

Changeup: He's shown an average changeup in the past.

Control: He has outstanding command and an advanced feel for pitching.

Poise: He's got terrific mound presence.

Physical Description: Likely shorter than what's listed officially, Cisco is a fairly physically mature right-hander. In terms of body type, some have said he's a smaller version of Josh Beckett.

Medical Update: Healthy.

Strengths: Chance to have three at least average pitches, all of which play up because of his command and outstanding feel for pitching. Professional bloodlines don't hurt, either.

Weaknesses: He's not that tall, and he's physically mature, meaning he doesn't have a ton of upside.

Summary: With a grandfather who pitched then coached for years (Galen) in the big leagues, and several other family members who've been involved in the game, there's no doubt Cisco has serious bloodlines. He also has a very advanced understanding of how to pitch, not surprising considering his family. He commands a good three-pitch mix extremely well and has a good, clean delivery he repeats well. He's physically mature and doesn't have the size and upside some look for in prep pitchers, but his feel for pitching and his family tree should create plenty of discussion when the Draft rolls around.

DOB: 07/29/91 - HT.: 6-1 - WT.: 185 - B-T: L-R - COMMITMENT: Georgia

Rule 4 Report:

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Cisco is nearly maxed out, but he should naturally add more strength as he matures and tightens his physique. He has the broad, durable body type and compact, repeatable delivery suited to handle a starting pitcher’s workload. He also shows solid body control and fielding actions. Conditioning maintenance should not become a problem.

MECHANICS

Cisco’s delivery is smooth and simple, bearing strong resemblance to that of brother Mike, a 36th-round draft pick of the Phillies in 2008. He gets a full circular arm swing before he reaches his mid-three-quarters release point, but he will raise his arm slot slightly when throwing his curveball. At the top of his break, his elbows never get higher than his shoulders, minimizing hyperabduction (i.e. rotator cuff and labrum wear). Cisco throws with little effort, using a strong lower half and good hip-shoulder separation to generate low-90s velocity throughout the duration of the game. He throws across his body slightly before finishing his motion with a centered glove-side elbow over a bent plant leg. He wheels his pitching arm-side leg around too far, however, landing him in an awkward fielding position.

PITCH REPERTOIRE

Cisco sits in the 88-91 mph range with his fastball, and he can touch 92 in the early innings. The pitch gets cut and run, and he exhibits the confidence and command to throw it to both halves of the plate. Cisco also spots a 74-76 curveball well, which he is comfortable throwing in any count. Although the offering varies in shape, the pitch gets solid rotation and average depth when it’s on, and he can throw it for a strike or bury it as a chase pitch. With as good of a feel for a changeup as one could expect from a high-schooler, Cisco shows good arm speed and gets occasional fade on the potential plus pitch, which ranges from 75-78.

SUMMARY

With an advanced feel for pitching beyond his years, Cisco could be the most polished arm in this year’s prep class. His present pitchability reveals his big-league bloodlines, with grandfather Galen having pitched parts of seven seasons in the major leagues and brother Mike currently working in the upper levels of the Phillies organization. His physical maturity limits his upside, but he offers a higher floor because of his pitching acumen and sound delivery. Cisco is similar to Jeff Suppan and has a chance to become a middle-of-the-rotation workhorse if he can maintain his present velocity.

Jessie Burkhart 7-22-10

PG Crosschecker:

Extremely-polished HS arm, 87-91 mph fastball with plus command, plus feel for three big-league pitches

PNR Scouting Video:
YouTube - ‪Drew Cisco (08-08-2009)‬‎

Drew Cisco Vs. Yordy Cabrera:
YouTube - ‪Drew Cisco Facing Yordy Cabrera‬‎

Wando's Cisco drafted in 6th round
By Philip Bowman
The Post and Courier
Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Drew Cisco soaked up the excite-ment of the second day of Major League Baseball's first-year player draft. The Wando High School right-handed pitcher was taken in the sixth round by the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, the 187th player selected.

"I'm excited," said Cisco, who was ranked the No. 74 prospect in the draft by Baseball America. "I'm just soaking it up and soaking it in. It feels good to get it over with. It was a long wait."

Now comes the tricky part: negotiating with the Reds, which could take a long time. Cisco says he's looking for a signing bonus in the neighborhood of $1 million. The two sides haven't discussed money, and Cisco knows the process could take all summer. If he doesn't sign with the Reds by mid-August, he will enroll at the University of Georgia.

"I think we'll talk through the summer," said Cisco, who led Wando into the Class AAAA Lower State championship series last month. "Hopefully, we'll get a deal done and I will go off and play."

If Cisco and the Reds can't come to terms, he will take the college route and not be eligible again for the draft until 2013. Georgia coaches contacted Cisco shortly after he was drafted.

"They were happy for me, that I experienced a lifelong dream," Cisco said. "But they hope to see me on campus."

Cisco was one of two local high school players drafted Tuesday.