ON THE VERGE- RYAN TATUSKO, WASHINGTON NATIONALS
MLB reports: At MLB reports we will be running an occasional series titled “On the Verge” where we profile a prospect about to hit the MLB scene. In today’s feature, we profile Ryan Tatusko of the Washington Nationals.
Ryan was born March 27, 1985. Standing 6’5” and weighing a solid 200 lbs, 2010 represented a breakout year for the right-handed pitching Tatusko. He was drafted in the 18th round of the 2007 draft by the Texas Rangers out of Indiana State University (hometown Merrillville, Indiana). After the 3 ½ seasons climbing up the Rangers system, Tatusko was traded on July 30, 2010 with fellow pitcher Tanner Roark for shortstop Christian Guzman. At the time of the trade, Tatusko was pitching for AA Frisco, both starting and relieving. After being acquired by the Nationals, Tatusko finished 2010 exclusively as a starter for AA Harrisburg.
From 2007-2009, Tatusko did not have numbers that jumped out. ERAs each year of 4.13, 4.46 and 4.64, records of 3-7, 3-11 and 7-6, in addition to WHIPs of 1.347, 1.372 and 1.338. A young developing pitcher, but not one on the “radar” so to speak. In the 1st half of 2010 with Frisco, Tatusko pitched in 24 games, 13 as a starter. His record was 9-2 with a 2.97 ERA and 1.340 WHIP. Definitely solid numbers, but a breakout was still in order. That breakout occurred in the 2nd half of his 2010 season with Harrisburg, where Tatusko pitched in 6 games entirely as a starter, to a sparkling 3-1 record, 1.72 ERA and 1.173 WHIP. His SO/BB ratio with Frisco was 1.45 and ballooned to 2.77 with Harrisburg. When I review these numbers, I see a Kyle Drabek type pitcher at the beginning of 2010 and a Stephen Strasburg clone at the end.
Looking at Ryan’s final 2010 numbers combined in AA, we see a 12-3 record, with a 2.63 ERA and 1.295 WHIP. From an 18th round pick with a microscopic chance of advancement in professional baseball, Ryan is a pitcher likely ticketed for AAA to start 2011 and could end up with the big club sometime between the all-star break and September.
I have had a pleasure to chat with Ryan on a couple of occasions by e-mail and did some research on him as well. Tatusko has a strong curveball as well as good command of 3 other pitches- fastball, changeup and slider. The debate early in his career was whether he would remain a starter or be moved permanently to the bullpen. Young pitchers in the minors are often eased through both roles in the hopes that they will excel in one given spot. As a 4-pitch pitcher and coming off a strong finish in 2010, Tatusko will likely be a full-time starter for the foreseeable future. A student of the game, Tatusko keeps journals of his work and watches video in working on and perfecting his mechanics. A tireless student of the game, Tatusko has the will and ambition to succeed at the pro-level, which is often described as “90% mental and 10% physical”.
Running into growing pains and adversity early in his career was likely a very good thing for Ryan. Too often in the MLB we see hotshot prospects rushed to the majors, only to have their careers cut short by injuries or failed confidence. By building his time up in the minors the right way, Tatusko has been able to prove himself and rise up the prospects ladder. The Nationals going into 2011 are in an interesting situation pitching wise. They have a young highly touted closer in Storen, that is expected to close for the club for the next decade. The starting rotation however, is filled with questions marks and landmines. Livian Hernandez is currently tabbed as the opening day starter. Enough said. From there we see the other potential starters being Marquis, Zimmerman, Lannan and Maya. In the mix we have injured starters Strasburg and Wang who are not certain as to the roles they could play in 2011. As soon as an opening arises, Tatusko will be one of the first to be called up this year. If Ryan is able to grow in 2011 the way he did in 2010, his first stay in Washington could be permanent.
Ryan Tatusko is a man who eats, breathes, sleeps and bleeds professional baseball. Talking to him, I got the sense that this was a ballplayer with no sense of entitlement that has worked hard and earned everything that he has accomplished. Good luck to Ryan on the 2011 campaign and we all look forward to watching you as you continue your baseball journey to the show.
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Posted on February 1, 2011, in Interviews with MLB Stars, MLB Player Profiles, On the Verge: MLB Prospects and tagged baseball, guzman, mlb, nationals, rangers, tatusko, texas, washington. Bookmark the permalink. 10 Comments.
As his mom, I can certainly vouch for the fact that Ryan’s world is baseball. Since he was able to know what it was, he has always had a baseball in his hand, and has probably seen most, if not all of the baseball movies out there as well as read just as many baseball books. The boxes of trophies, plaques, and various other awards that are stored proves that he was born a natural. I always have told him and others that he was a real “mover and shaker” even in the womb and I truly believe he might have been practicing there as well!!. But this journey has not come easy for any of us. There have been alot of disappointments, fears, long practices, missed vacations, but he has never complained because he knew the dedication needed to achieve his goal.
One VERY important thing aside from baseball is the fact that Ryan is a great person as well. He knows where he comes from, always pays attention to the fans that support him especially the kids. In college his team made an annual visit to Riley’s Childrens Hospital to spend time with the kids, which touched his heart in many ways. Many times I’ve seen kids recognize him in the stands at the ball fields while he was taking stats etc. only to wind up sitting next to him having him explain what he was doing and how things worked. He is a very well rounded individual and a wonderful son. Baseball is his passion and his life, but equally important are his family and his faith. I am truly proud of him, he is MY hero and I pray everyday for his continued success and health in this climb to the top.
Hello Kim, Thank you for your wonderful comments. I’m glad that you enjoyed my blog. You have a very talented son and he is on the fast-track to the big leagues. He is lucky to have such a wonderful and supportive family. Thank you again and all the best to Ryan in 2011!
Love reading about the character talent bubbling in the Nats organization…another solid trade by GM Rizzo. Best of luck to Ryan and his family in making it to Nationals Park.
Hello Kim,
Great comments and I enjoyed seeing a parent of a player post their comments. I’ve read so many articles about the Nationals and Expos over the years… going on 30 years now… and never once have I ever seen a comment from a family member… I think your comment here is awesome!! I’m rooting for your son and when I saw the trade that Rizzo made to acquire your son for Guzzman I was very pleased, to say the least. Your son’s timing may be perfect in the sense that he may be on the MLB roster when we’re ready to compete for division titles and ultimately the WS. Sounds like your son is a real winner! But that always comes from winning parents leading the way, mostly through sacrifices along the way… as you mentioned above. Thank you from all Nationals fans for the sacrifices you made to make such a fine prospect for our Nationals team!
Bob, I’m with you man… I’m all for character individuals in the organization too. It’s a big part of the chemistry of a well represented and winning organization.
Great post writeup by mlbreports! Kudos!
Thank you for the wonderful feedback Don on the Tatusko article. It was a pleasure writing it and glad you enjoyed it!
Really enjoyed this entry. Even though I’m a Nat STH, Tatusko was not on my radar previously. One comment,however, you left Tom Gorzellany off your starter list, and it certainly seems as though the Nats are intent on giving him every chance to be in the starting rotation out of ST.
Thank you for the feedback Jack. Glad you enjoyed my Tatusko piece. I had Gorzelanny down as a middle reliever/ swingman at this point but yes, he could end up in the rotation. Good point. Thanks again and enjoy the season!
With regards to ths article I have to tell the writer..”Thank YOU, you get it”!!! This is the first thing I have seen written about Ryan Tatusko that was accurate, and captured who Ryan really is. Unlike Kim Polk, I am not related to him, but I do know him, and have watched him on the field and off, watched how hard he practices, as well as seen Ryan when he is just being himself. Ryan is an excellent pitcher with excellent mechanics, and he is getting better.
I will leave his baseball abilites to the experts and comment on Ryan the person. You are absolutely correct in that he doesn’t have a sense of entitlement to be in pro baseball, but rather a thankful appreciative one. I have never met a finer young man in my life. Period. Baseball (and all places) need more men like Ryan Tatusko. He loves the game in all forms whether it is on a Major Leauge field, or a dusty bumpy Little Leauge field. He loves the game’s history, people, places, strategy, hard work, victory and defeat….EVERYTHING. He is an excellent instructor as well. He has the ability to key in on a problem and resolve it, giving his student immediate feedback in a positive manner, and able to convey hard to understand concepts in a simple way. He is as good a teacher with a teenager with a high skill level as he is with a young boy just starting. The best thing I can say about Ryan Tatusko is he is my 11 year old son’s hero, and I could not pick a finer person myself. I’m thankful my son looks up to him. He is th type man I want my son to become. My son said it best…”Dad Ryan is the greatest guy ever! He treats me supe nice, like I’m not a little kid but a real person like him….plus he likes baseball too”.
I believe Ryan will see his dream come true. I think this is the year he will see the MLB for a bit. He has worked so hard for so long, flying below everyone’s radar like a Stealth fighter/bomber. Like the Stealth, he is gonna swoop in,surprise and blow everyone away. However, in my opinion Ryan Tatusko is already a success…IN LIFE, but with his attitude and work ethc, the MLB better make room.
Thank you again for the comments on the Ryan Tatusko article. This year I have a feeling will be a big one for Ryan, looking forward to seeing him up with the big club. That is a great experience that you had with him, I wish more athletes were as professional and down to earth as Ryan.
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