2014 Prospect Countdown: #31 Daniel Stumpf

31. Daniel Stumpf Left Handed Pitcher

www.milb.com

Age: 22
Position: LHP
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 200
B/T: L/L
Acquired: Drafted in the 9th Round of 2012 Amateur Draft
From: Humble, Texas

Landon Adams (NR): Daniel Stumpf features good size and throws from the left side of the mound. He has a strong Minor League track recored boasting a career 2.81 ERA and 3.61 SIERA over 166.2 innings. Given his handedness and size, Stumpf intrigues me as a possible fast rising bullpen piece. After all, this is the sort of profile that often gets slotted as a future lefty specialist. 

I was somewhat surprised to discover that throughout his brief Minor League career, the former 9th round selection has been just as baffling to left handed hitters (.596 OPS against) as right handed (.592). Perhaps Stumpf can continue to progress while developing a decent third offering. If this can happen he could have a shot as a back end starter. Otherwise he might have the ability to scrap out a career in a Major League bullpen. A guy like Stumpf could serve as an enticing enough "throw in" piece in a deal at the deadline in 2014.

Paden Bennett (NR): Stumpf is a hard throwing lefty with some good stuff.  As evidenced by Stumpf throwing a complete game no hitter last season against the Greenville Drive.  I expect Stumpf to have a good spring and start the season with Wilmington and have a solid season if he can continue to locate his fastball and fine tune his breaking ball so that he can use it as an out pitch.

Joe Cox (21): Lefty Stumpf spent his first full season of professional ball in A league Lexington, fairing pretty well.  In his age 22 season, Stumpf compiled 137.2 innings over 25 starts.  He had respectable walk and strikeout numbers (3.27 BB/9, 7.65 SO/9) and had an impressive 1.11 WHIP while being able to limit the long ball.  Looking at his peripheral numbers, he may have been a little lucky with batted balls and LOB%, but he still had a fine 3.69 FIP to go along with an ERA of 3.07.  

Being that he is a strong armed lefty with good size, there is a lot to like about the potential of Stumpf, despite the fact that he still needs to work on adding a more consistent breaking ball to the mix.  I like Stumpf as a guy who could rise through the system and make a major league impact as a lefty specialist, if not a back end starter.  It will be interesting to see what the Royals plan is with Stumpf, but I would like to see what he could do as a starter at the next level in 2014. 

Dan Ware (NR): Another kid with a great first name, Stumpf put on an excellent display for the Legends, mixing in a little fun and history making, to top it off.  Daniel was part of a stellar rotation in Lexington, which included Crawford Simmons, Christian Binford, and Future's Game participant Miguel Almonte.  With a 10-10 record, 3.07 ERA, 137.2 IP in 25 starts, 117 K and 50 BB, and 3rd best WHIP at 1.11, the 22 year old was named 2013 SAL Left Handed Pitcher of the Year. There's more to this kid? Ohhh yeah.  

On July 2nd, the same night Cincinnati Reds pitcher Homer Bailey tossed a No-Hitter, Stumpf threw a complete-game no-no against the Greenville Drive, only the second time it's happened in Lexington's history. If Daniel gets good conditioning in this winter and has a solid spring, he should open up the 2014 campaign in Wilmington's rotation.  The Carolina League is considered pitcher-friendly, so hopefully the young lefty uses it to his advantage.

Total Points: 10