20 QUESTIONS: CHARLIE ISAACSON
(posted to BattleCreekYankees.com on 5/22/03)

* Name: Charlie Isaacson

* Data: RHP, 6-2, 190

* Birthdate, birthplace: May 5, 1980; Des Moines, Iowa

* Family: Mother, Anita; father, Craig; sister, Julie

* I drive a: Ford Exlporer

* The best thing about being a professional baseball player is being paid to play baseball

* The worst thing about being a professional baseball player is bus travel; not speaking Spanish

* If I weren't a pro baseball player, I would be finishing school

* My most exciting moment in baseball is being drafted by the Yankees

* My most embarrassing moment in baseball is when I was a little kid: crying on the mound every time I gave up a home run

* Before every game I put my jersey on

* If I were the baseball commissioner for a day, the first thing I would do is put Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame or raise the minimum pay for all minor-leaguers

* Teammate most likely to make it to the big leagues Steve Renko

* Smartest player on the team? Matt Brumit and Steve Renko

* Best dresser on the team? Blake Blase and Steve Renko

* Best golfer on the team? Steve Renko

* The most interesting item in my locker is a human corpse

* I wear my uniform number (45) because Bob Gibson wore it

* If I were a pro wrestler, my name would be Chainsaw Charlie

* My favorite saying is Word

* Pet peeve: loud Spanish, smelly farts on the bus, loud Fort Wayne Wizards guy

* Most exciting play in baseball? third to first pickoff

* Most underappreciated part of baseball? pitching change

* 1-0 game or 11-9 game? I don't care as long as we are winning

* McDonald's or Burger King? Burger King

* Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi

* Dr Pepper or Mr. Pibb? Dr Pepper

* Mountain Dew or Mello Yello? Mountain Dew

* Steak or lobster? Steak

* Mountains or ocean? Ocean

* "Fletch" or "Caddyshack"? "Caddyshack"

* Letterman or Leno? "Jimmy Kimmel Live"

* Boxers or briefs? Boxers

* Favorite junk food Taco Bell

* Favorite cereal Cinnamon Life

* Favorite TV show "Blind Date"

* Favorite baseball movie "Bull Durham"

* Favorite baseball player Steve Renko

* Favorite cartoon character Homer Simpson

* Favorite "Clue" character Professor Plum

* Favorite video game RBI Baseball for Nintendo

* Few people know I am a robot from the future, sent to save the planet

* I wish I knew how to fly

* When I want to relax, I sleep

* My prized possession is my TV

* Three things you will always find in my refrigerator pudding, Pepsi, leftovers in a doggy bag

* The best piece of advice I've ever been given: Shoot first, ask questions later

* The worst piece of advice I've ever been given: Shoot first, ask questions later

* The worst thing about long minor league road trips: long, smelly road trips

* The best thing about Battle Creek and/or C.O. Brown Stadium nice field; great golf courses

* The worst thing about Battle Creek and/or C.O. Brown Stadium no one comes to the games; locker room is tiny

* Favorite thing to do (besides baseball) in Battle Creek? sleep; golf

* Questions we should ask players next time Who let the dogs out?

2004 Scouting Report: RP, Charlie Isaacson

By Frankie Piliere
Published: Mar 11, 2004 on PinstripesPlus.com

The New York Yankees selected right handed pitcher Charlie Isaacson in the 29th round (876th overall) of the 2002 amateur draft out of the University of Arkansas. Isaacson was highly sought after by the Yankee organization after a tremendous college career. The Yankees believe that they have a very bright future waiting for this young right hander and that he could eventually be a big time reliever in the organization.

Vital Statistics
Name: Charlie Isaacson
Position: Pitcher
DOB: May 5, 1980
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 190
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Place of Residence: Overland Park, Kansas
How Acquired: The New York Yankees selected right handed pitcher Charlie Isaacson in the 29th (876th overall) of the 2002 amateur draft out of the University of Arkansas.

It is still a long way off for Isaacson but if he progresses on the right path and develops into the pitcher that he has the potential to be, it may be sooner than he thinks. Charlie Isaacson enjoyed a very nice college career at the University of Arkansas while also earning the reputation of being the best pitcher on their staff. Despite the fact that Isaacson was only 6-7 in his senior year in college, he still impressed in many other statistical categories. Isaacson compiled a solid 3.84 ERA in his senior year over a span of 82.0 innings pitched and slowly became the leader of Arkansas' pitching staff in a less than successful team season. He was impressive enough during this season to draw several major league scouts to come to watch him pitch in a regional game in which Isaacson pitched against the Oklahoma Sooners. They were scattered about the stands behind home plate, watching every move that he made on the mound. When asked if he was affected by their presence at all, Isaacson said "I saw them, but I was focusing on (Oklahoma's) hitters and throwing strikes." Isaacson proved that he was not nervous or in any way affected by the scouts by putting together a very solid performance. He pitched 6 1/3 strong innings, giving up 4 runs on 11 hits. Isaacson, admitted that he did not have his "A" game that day but the way that he was able to grind out a decent performance without his best stuff was a great indicator for the scouts in attendance.

Out of all the scouts that attended that game back in 2002, it is obvious that the Yankees were represented and were very impressed. They drafted Isaacson only a short time later in the 29th round of the amateur draft. After he was drafted, Isaacson was assigned to play for the Yankees low A affiliate in Staten Island. The Yankee organization foresaw him as having a much brighter future in a relief pitching role, but decided to slowly work him into it rather than start him there right away. He had pitched virtually his whole career as a starter and that is the way it would begin in the Yankee organization for Charlie Isaacson. In his first year in the organization, he had a spectacular season going 5-3 with an ERA of 2.54. Along with that, Isaacson also racked up 76 strikeouts in only 74 innings pitched while only giving up 57 hits.

For good reason, Isaacson was promoted to Battle Creek to start the 2003 season. It was here, that the decision was made to convert Isaacson to a relief pitching role. He adjusted nicely to his new role on the team. In his time with Battle Creek, he was nearly unhittable going 3-1 while posting a microscopic 0.54 ERA in 33.1 innings pitched. Isaacson also added 33 strikeouts and he only gave up 2 earned runs while picking up 4 saves as well. Noticing how much success he was having with Battle Creek, the organization decided that yet again Isaacson would have to be promoted and this time to Tampa.

He only pitched for a short time in Tampa in 2003, but in this time Isaacson still managed to continue to shine. He compiled a 2.53 ERA in 7 games and also picked up another 4 saves. However, it was time for another change of scenery for the 23 year old Isaacson and this time he was heading all the way up to AA Trenton. For the first time in his young minor league career, he experienced some struggles when he was promoted to Trenton. Isaacson went 1-3 and posted an ugly 6.12 ERA in 14 appearances.

It seemed that in his time with Trenton, that Isaacson may have been slightly overmatched as it was a very big jump that he made after starting the season in Battle Creek. Many scouts say that he will probably start next year with Trenton and will be able to get comfortable and pitch a full, solid season with the ball club.

Repertoire. Fastball, Curveball, Changeup.

Fastball. Charlie Isaacson's fastball would definitely fall into the category of a power fastball that tops out in the mid 90's. He uses this as a great setup pitch to his breaking and off-speed pitches and makes him a prototypical closer or setup relief type.

Other Pitches. Besides a fastball, Isaacson also has a changeup and a curveball. Earlier in his career, he had a tendency to use his breaking pitches too much and it would cause him to get hit hard. However, he has developed very good off-speed pitches which is rare for a young pitcher. He mixes them in a very well and uses them as strikeout pitches.

Pitching. Charlie Isaacson is the definition of a very intelligent pitcher and knows how to use his breaking and off-speed pitches very well. He mixes his pitches despite being a good fastball pitcher and can use his fastball or his breaking ball as a strikeout pitch. This only adds to his marketability as a closer or setup reliever and he could become a very good one with the deep repertoire and overall pitching smarts that he possesses.

Projection. At this point, it appears that Isaacson is destined for the bullpen and could be an incredibly good member of a major league pen someday. If he continues to develop correctly he could make an excellent closer but at the very least he may be a setup reliever.

ETA. Late 2005. It appears that Charlie Isaacson could be ready for major league action in late 2005 as a member of either the Yankee bullpen or some other organization. In all likelihood he will spend a full season with Trenton in 2004 and then he will probably play with the Columbus Clippers in AAA in 2005. If he performs well, he could be looking at a call up to the Bigs in late 2005.

Relief Pitchers 2003 Team

Scott Proctor AAA - Columbus Clippers
Sam Marsonek AAA - Columbus Clippers
David Shepard AAA - Columbus Clippers
Adam Roller AA - Trenton Thunder
Rik Currier AA - Trenton Thunder
Charlie Isaacson AA - Trenton Thunder
Francisco Villegas AA - Trenton Thunder
Matt Brumit A - Battle Creek Yankees
Jason Stephens R - Gulf Coast Yankees
Tyler Clippard R - Gulf Coast Yankees

COMMENTS

As of right now, it seems that the Yankee organization is much more interested in instant satisfaction especially when it comes to their bullpen in which they have spent top dollar to improve upon this past winter. Rather than try to develop the next Mariano Rivera, (the only Yankee reliever that came from the farm system) they have consistently gone out and have benefited from the free agent, trade and foreign markets. However, with older and more fragile pitchers in the pen, the Yankees may be looking for their young guns in the farm system to step up and play major roles in the next few years.

1. Scott Proctor- Had an impressive minor league career in the Dodger organization and didn't miss a beat after he was acquired by the Yankees. He possesses a 100 mile per hour fastball and has tremendous strikeout potential as he proved in his 2003 stats. In his time with Columbus in 2003, Proctor posted a 1.42 and struck out an incredible 26 batters in only 19 IP (just with Yankees). Has electric stuff and could be a very good big league reliever in the near future.

2. Sam Marsonek- Marsonek took over the full time closers job in Columbus last year and did an adequate job by racking up a total of 18 saves and posting a 4.84 ERA. He struggled at some points with control and consistency but certainly has a lot of potential.

3. David Shepard- It may be getting a little late for David Shepard, considering the fact that is already 30 years old and 2003 was his first good season in the Yankee organization. However, don't give up on him quite yet, he could still be an effective reliever in the majors if he continues to pitch well in the minors.

4. Adam Roller- The 25 year old righty has collected 47 minor league saves in his 7 seasons in the minor leagues. In his best season in 2001, he compiled 23 saves while posting a 1.20 ERA. He may be sleeper in the organization and could be a guy to watch in the very near future.

5. Rik Currier- Since his college years, the Yankee organization has more or less converted him to a full time reliever. He has a deep repertoire for a reliever which also adds to his effectiveness. In college he was #2 in the USC rotation to star Cubs pitcher Mark Prior and at the time scouts considered that his skills were comparable to Prior's. Their paths ended up being very different but there is no doubt that Currier certainly has all the potential in the world.

6. Charlie Isaacson- Has shown himself to be a very solid and consistent relief pitcher at a every level that he has pitched on, which includes pitching in Battle Creek, Tampa, and Trenton all in the same season. He may have a very nice future ahead of him as a major league pitcher if all continues as it has been in his career.

7. Francisco Villegas- he is a very good strikeout pitcher that has pitched as a setup man throughout his minor league career. Despite this, scouts believe that he could also make a very solid closer with the excellent fastball that he has.

8. Matt Brumit- Brumit has become the full time closer at every level he has played at in the organization and has done a fantastic job at it. In his 2 seasons in the organization he has compiled an outstanding total of 46 saves.

9. Jason Stephens- Had a rough go of it in his first year n the organization, posting a 4.55 ERA and going 0-2. On the other hand, he is still thought of as one of the top relief pitching prospects in the organization.

10. Tyler Clippard- Was the Yankees 9th round pick in the 2003 Draft. He had a very solid season in the Gulf Coast, compiling an impressive 2.89 ERA with an outstanding 56 strikeouts in only 43.2 IP while only walking 5. Clippard thrived as a relief pitcher and impressed many, but despite his endless potential he still needs a lot of work before he is a major league ready.

Page Created: 5-28-03

Page Last Updated: 3-29-04