Rangers Select Lefty In 1st Round Of Amateur Draft

Player Name: Matthew Purke
Position: Starting Pitcher
School: Klein HS (Tex.)
School Type: High school
Academic Class: Senior
Birthdate: 7/17/90
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 180 lbs.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Report Date(s): 3/12/09
Game(s): Cypress Creek HS, Texas

-Fastball: Purke showed velocity a tick above average, sitting at 92-93 mph. He topped out at 95 mph.
-Fastball movement: It has tailing life to the arm side.
-Curve: It's kind of between a curve and a slider. It has more of a curve break, with good rotation and depth. He thew it about 78 mph with late break to it.
-Changeup: Has a good changeup.
-Control: He has good command and moves the ball around the zone well.
-Poise: He's pitched in big games and rises to the occasion.
-Physical Description: Purke is a lean, wiry, thin-waisted left-hander. He's projectable, but needs to add some strength.
-Medical Update: Healthy.
-Strengths: Three average to above-average pitches. Good command, projectable body.
-Weaknesses: He's a little too slender, leading some to worry about durabilty.
-Summary: When conversations arise about the top prep lefties in the class, Purke is on the short list. With three excellent offerings and command of them, to go along with a projectable frame, Purke's name comes up early and often. There might be a small concern about his durabilty because he's a little too slender, but that won't be enough to keep him from being taken high up on Draft day.

It is believed that Purke (who is already commited to TCU) will want some serious money up front to skip college.