Click here to subscribe today or Login.
By VAN ROSE vrose@leader.net
Thursday, March 20, 2003 Page: 1B
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Phillies’ prize pitching prospect Ryan Madson has a
tough act to follow this season – his own.
Last season at Double-A Reading, the 6-foot-6 right-hander raised the bar
to new heights. He posted a 16-4 record, with a 3.20 ERA. The 22-year-old
California native struck out 132 batters, second best in the Eastern League.
Madson, who is 47-26 since being drafted by Philadelphia in 1998, is a big
reason that pitching is expected to be the Red Barons’ greatest strength this
season. He follows in the footsteps of home-grown pitchers Randy Wolf, Brandon
Duckworth and Brett Myers.
“He’s absolutely awesome,” said Reading pitching coach Rod Nichols, who
also tutored Madson at Single-A Clearwater in 2001. “He’s a great kid who’s
fun to watch, and he’s a winner.
“The sky’s the limit for Ryan. There’s no doubt this kid’s going to be a
major league player.”
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre fans will have to wait a while to see Madson in
action. He suffered tendinitis in his right elbow on Feb. 14, and is about
four weeks behind schedule. He’s not expected to join the Red Barons’ starting
rotation until late April or early May.
Madson remains upbeat, even though he’s anxious to make his Triple-A debut.
“I’m over the tendinitis. Now, it’s just a matter of getting my arm back
into shape.”
Earlier this week, Madson threw 50 pitches in the bullpen and didn’t
experience any discomfort.
Madson’s money pitches are his 95-mph fastball and changeup. He’s still
developing a curveball, which is one of his main goals for this season. He’s
well aware that he needs all three pitches to reach Philadelphia.
He says the key to his success is the fact that he’s continued to improve
every year.
“I’m still learning how to pitch,” Madson said. “I want to go up (to
Triple-A) and keep learning. There are a lot of good hitters at that level.
They’re going to lay off some pitches that I was able to get guys out in
Double-A.”
Last year, Madson had excellent control. He walked just 53 hitters in 171
innings. He also was an iron horse, making 26 starts and pitching two complete
games.
“In the two years I coached him, he never missed a start,” Nichols said.
“He’s got tremendous stamina.”
Madson said he got outstanding offense and defensive support from his
teammates at Reading. “They made some great defensive plays behind me, and
hit the ball well.”
His greatest thrill last year occurred when he took a no-hitter into the
eighth inning against Bowie, before settling for a two-hitter. “It was a game
when everything seemed to go right. Our guys made a couple of diving catches
to keep the no-hitter alive. It was fun.”
Madson was the starting pitcher for the National League in last year’s
Double-A All-Star game, which he says turned out to be a learning experience
in terms of dealing with the media. He worked one inning and gave up one hit –
a home run.
“Later, I was interviewed on national television,” Madson said. “The
only question they asked me was how it felt to give up the homer, which caught
me a bit off guard.”
After the season, Madson won the Chuck Stevens Award, honoring the
outstanding minor league player from southern California. He was chosen by the
Association of Professional Baseball Players of America.
Madson’s main goal for this season is to develop his curveball and learn
more about situation pitching.
“I can’t dwell on past accomplishments,” he said. “I’ve already learned
that you’re only as good as your next game.”