Loss of control new for 51s’ Drabek

Before this season, Kyle Drabek always had been in command on the mound. But this year, the Toronto Blue Jays' top prospect lost control.

After compiling a better than 2-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his first five professional seasons -- 370 to 169 -- the right-hander issued 52 walks and had 48 strikeouts in 14 starts for the Blue Jays this year and has walked 41 and fanned 41 in 14 starts for the 51s.

"It was tough for me because I've never really had to go through that," said Drabek, who will make his final start of the season for Las Vegas today against Salt Lake at Cashman Field. "(My control) was one of my (strengths). I would throw it over the plate not caring if they hit it. I just really couldn't seem to do it this year."

After starting the season 3-0 with a 3.30 ERA in his first five starts for Toronto, Drabek went 1-5 with a 7.38 ERA in his next nine outings and was sent down to the 51s on June 17.

Drabek has continued to struggle in Triple A. He walked seven in his first start for Las Vegas and has issued at least three walks in eight of his 14 outings.

The 23-year-old son of former Cy Young Award winner Doug Drabek is coming off arguably his worst outing of the year, allowing nine runs on eight hits, including two home runs, while walking four in three innings Monday at Sacramento.

With Las Vegas, Drabek has a 4-4 record and 7.41 ERA.

"Numbers-wise, it doesn't look good, but delivery-wise, he's very close to where he needs to be," 51s pitching coach Tom Signore said. "I don't think people realize how close he is to being back at the level he was at. He's close."

Signore was Drabek's pitching coach last year at Double-A New Hampshire, where the former first-round draft pick threw a no-hitter and went 14-9 with a 2.94 ERA en route to Eastern League Pitcher of the Year honors.

"Last year, he felt indestructible. He doesn't feel that way anymore, and he needs to get that back," Signore said. "He just has no confidence right now. He needs to regain that confidence and belief that he had last year."

While Signore said Drabek's issues are mental, not physical, Drabek said they're mechanical.

"My confidence has always been good," he said. "But my comfort in my mechanics seemed to go at times, and that's when you start rushing and throwing balls and walking guys."

Despite Drabek's struggles this season, Signore is confident Drabek will earn a spot in Toronto's starting rotation next year.

"He'll be one of the five starters next year," Signore said. "He'll be a main guy every fifth day for them."

Drabek, who plans to hone his skills with his father this offseason in Texas, also is hopeful that this season ends up being nothing more than a fluke in an otherwise successful career.

"It's just one year. Hopefully if I stay healthy, I'll have plenty of more years to prove myself," he said. "Hitters go through slumps and have bad years, and so do pitchers. It could just be that year."

■ NOTES -- 51s first baseman David Cooper received the Mayor's Trophy, which is the team Most Valuable Player award as voted on by the fans. Cooper, who went 1-for-4 with his Pacific Coast League-leading 51st double in Friday's 4-3 win over Salt Lake at Cashman Field, is leading the PCL in batting with a .369 average. … Third baseman Brett Lawrie was named the team MVP, left-hander Brad Mills was named Las Vegas' Most Valuable Pitcher, and closer Daniel Farquhar received the Community Service Award.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.