Kuzul

You may remember about a month or so ago, former Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior had a workout in front of several major league scouts and general managers. By all accounts, Prior was just “OK” in that throwing session.

On Tuesday Prior showed just how serious he is with his most recent comeback attempt. The former second overall pick in the MLB draft pitched a scoreless sixth inning for the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League. According to the manager of the Flyers, Paul Abbott, Prior will be used as a setup man.

Prior hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2006 for the Cubs. He spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons recovering from various surgeries while spending last season in the minors for the San Diego Padres. He was released from his contract on August 1, 2009, after he had failed to impress enough to deserve a callup to the big league club.

Does anyone else find it interesting that in the same week former teammate Kerry Wood begins his role as a setup man for the New York Yankees and that Prior is restarting his career in the same role? Another fun fact, did anyone ever think we would have seen the three aces of the 2003 season (Wood, Prior, and Zambrano) would all find themselves at the same time and for three different teams?

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That’s right, the last Stephen Strasburg is making a comeback in baseball.

Before Strasburg came around, Prior was the most hyped pitching prospect to come into Major League Baseball. Everything you have heard in the past year since Strasburg was drafted No. 1 overall in the MLB draft was said about Prior nine years ago when he was drafted second overall by the Cubs.

He was built to pitch. His mechanics are perfect. He throws so effortlessly that he won’t break down, etc…

Well we all know how that went, and Mark has not seen on the mound in a major league park since his last start with the Cubs in 2006.

By all accounts Prior was “just alright” today as he threw for several teams on Wednesday on his former college campus, USC. He has been working with longtime pitching coach Tom House during this comeback attempt.

Prior, 29, has a record of 42-29 with a 3.51 ERA in 106 starts during his five seasons with the Cubs. His best season was in 2003 when he was 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA helping the team get within outs of making it to the World Series.

After his time with the Cubs he tried to come back from his shoulder injuries by coming back with his hometown Padres but injuries and ineffectiveness never allowed him to make the team.

I would expect Mark to catch on with some team if he proves to be healthy but that is a big red flag for any franchise willing to take the risk on signing him.

It is interesting that Prior just happen to attempt a comeback a few days after former teammate Carlos Zambrano lost his marbles. Made me wonder of that top three in 2003 who has become the bigger bust: Prior, Wood or Zambrano?

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