2011 Stats (AA Akron/ AAA Columbus): 6-1, 2.40, 1.07 WHIP, .210 OBA, 2.9 BB/9, 12.5 K/9
Wow, those numbers really jump off of the page and they were no aberration. His career K/9 (11.0), OBA (.217), and GO/AO (1.70 in 2011, 1.49 career) all indicate consistency and improvement in major pitching metrics. So why isn't this kid higher on the list? Right handed relievers are a dime a dozen and CC does not project as a closer. Despite the fact that the kid will very likely be a shutdown set-up man and could do so, like, tomorrow, he simply does play a premium position.
Lee features a three pitch mix starring a 94 MPH fastball with both good movement and good sink, hence the ground balls. His kicker is a plus slider with a nasty late bite that gives right handed hitters fits and leads to his straight dominance thereof (.177 OBA at AAA). CC also throws a split change, although it is clearly #3 in his arsenal and does little more than keep the batters honest. There has been some concern over his low three-quarters arm slot as he is regularly at risk of dropping into a true side-arm and losing a good deal of his pitches' effectiveness, but, in 2011, he showed little occurrence of said issue.
Perhaps the best news of all about Lee is that he has absolutely no history of injury. He has thrown at least 44 games and 71 innings in each of his pro campaigns and has been noted as having an injury only once. His oblique strain of 2010 was minor and simply a wear and tear result of his small frame.
The fact of the matter is that CC is ready for the bigs right now, but the Indians' big league bullpen is simply too talented to afford him a spot out of spring camp. Still, get over his ironic name quickly, because he should be the first righty reliever to be recalled when injury or ineffectiveness rears its ugly head on the lakefront.
Up Next: #6 - RHP Felix Sterling
