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MAURICE BANKSTON
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RIGHT HANDED PITCHER
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Born: June 17, 1987 Height: 6′ 4″ Weight: 205 Bats: Right Throws: Right Drafted: 8th Round, 248th Overall, 2007 How Acquired: Draft College: Texarkana College Agent: N/A |
WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES |
| After playing JC ball, Bankston signed a letter of intent with the University of Louisiana Monroe and the ULM coach stated rather wistfully in a newspaper article that Bankston might sign if drafted in the early rounds. Evidently, the 8th round was early enough, as Bankston signed. Ironically, ULM’s two big signees for 2008 were Bankston and Devin Copley, whom the Pirates earlier signed as part of their last crop of DFEs. (As an aside, the Pirates released Copley before the 2008 season, after he’d pitched in just two GCL games. That means he gave up his Division I eligibility to pitch four innings in rookie ball, which is pretty sad.) Prior to 2008, Bankston was at Texarkana. He doesn’t appear to have played for that school in 2006 and I can’t find any indication of where he was. His 2007 stats are not impressive, but that could be a product of the environment he was playing in, as his teammates ran up some high batting averages. Bankston throws a low-90s fastball and a slider. He keeps the ball down, but lacks an out pitch. He’s never had much of a platoon split.
2007-08: After pitching in only two GCL games in 2007, pitched in State College rotation in 2008 until going on DL with shoulder problem at beginning of August. Obviously struggled, although peripherals weren’t quite as bad as ERA. 2009: Opened in West Virginia rotation and didn’t pitch either especially well or especially badly. Went to State College after its season started and joined Spikes’ rotation, until going on DL in early August again. Pitched much better than previous year, mainly because he walked very few batters. K rate remained very low at both levels. 2010: Returned to West Virginia in and spent the year in bullpen, outside of two spot starts. Had decent year that was marred by dismal June in which he allowed 31 hits and 22 runs, all earned, in just 17.1 IP. That was followed by strong finish, as Bankston had ERA of 3.29 in July and 1.32 in August. Still too hittable and doesn’t miss enough bats, likely the product of not having a breaking ball that serves as a good out pitch. Bankston will open 2011 at age 23 and hasn’t made very much progress. He’s been serviceable as a reliever, so the Pirates could give him a shot at the Bradenton bullpen. He wasn’t, however, on any roster at the start of the season. |
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STATS
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| Baseball Reference Fangraphs MiLB.com
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