Jamie Callahan
Acquired: 2012 second round draft choice out of high school in South Carolina
DOB: 8-24-94
Ht. 6-2 Wt. 230 Throws Right
Scouting Report: Athletic projectable frame who may fill out more in the upper body. Over the top motion with smooth delivery that speeds up toward the end. Fastball in the low 90s, can touch 96. Was a South Carolina University commit before signing with Red Sox. Throws a 12 to 6 curveball that may be his best pitch.
Outlook: After a disastrous 2014 which saw him post a 6.96 ERA in 25 starts, he improved to a 4.53 ERA at Low A Greenville after making only six starts out of 31 appearances. The bullpen seems the place for him as he posted a 3.29 ERA this season exclusively out of the ‘pen in 2016. Over 65.2 innings, he struck out 63 batters but also walked 38, allowing just 53 hits and a .218 batting average against.
AFL Goals: The AFL might be an audition for him and a showcase for other teams because Callahan would be eligible for the Rule Five draft if not added to the 40 man roster by November 20. Callahan has been slow developing which can be the case with high school draftees. If he can continue his 2016 improvement this year, perhaps he might be considered for a spot in 2017 or 2018 at the latest. Since he doesn’t have eye-popping stats or off the charts physical tools, he isn’t likely to be chosen in the Rule 5 draft anyway, but perhaps another team might think differently when they see him in Arizona.