The Keepers: - #31 - RHP - Cory Mazzoni

31.      Cory Mazzoni        RHP

Mazzoni is an innings-eater: He has logged 1062/3 innings this year, 411/3 innings more than anyone else on N.C. State's staff. By having him pitch on Saturday, the Wolfpack bullpen could be saved for extended innings on Sunday. The junior right-hander has not given up a run in his last two starts covering 15 innings, victories over Boston College and Florida State.  http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/06/03/1244333/avent-wont-gamble-again-will-play.html#ixzz1Obm2ZYVP 

MAZZONI outdueled Clemson ace Scott Weismann in the 4-0 series opener, with the 4-hit shutout vaulting the Wolfpack on to a series victory over the #16 Tigers. It was the first shutout posted by N.C. State since a combined shutout vs. Texas in 2004. The 6-1, 195-pound righthander matched his career high with 10 strikeouts in the impressive series opener, while facing only 35 batters, with a pair of walks. Clemson ranks among the nation’s top offenses, currently owning a .318 team batting average while averaging nearly eight runs scored per game. Clemson managed a 2-out double by Jeff Schaus in the opening frame and Richie Shaffer had a leadoff single up the middle in the 2nd – but Mazzoni then retired 16 consecutive batters (and 20 of the next 21). The Tigers tried to rally, loading the bases with 2-outs in the 8th, but Schaus popped up to shortstop to extend the shutout. Two runners were aboard in the 9th, but Mazzoni closed things out on a Will Lamb groundout and Jason Stolz flyout to right field – http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/03/30/georgia-tech-corner-infielder-matt-skole-n-c-state-ace-cory-mazzoni-lead-week-6-primetime-performers 

Cory Mazzoni has made strides this season, but he still lacks true upside.  His fastball lacks movement and ranges from 89 to 93.  He throws a workable changeup and a breaking ball that can be good at times.  Mazzoni’s delivery is smooth and easy and he uses a 3/4 arm slot.  His command has been inconsistent.  http://mlbdraftguide.com/1/2011/04/25/cory-mazzoni-draft-profile 

4-18-11 from http://bullpenbanter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=410:college-baseball-weekend-09-observations&catid=18:articles&Itemid=11  on Cory Mazzoni: -  Average height; thin and athletic; not projectable 3/4 arm slot with a low effort delivery   Fastball without much movement; showed some good arm side run in the third but didn't last; 92 & 93 in the first, 92, 91 & 92 in the second, 89 in the third, 89 & 90 in the fifth, 91 in the sixth, 93 in the seventh (via announcer)  Slider had hard 2-8 break early in the outing; worked well as a chase pitch; 81 in the first (via announcer) Curve ball has good shape and 1-7 movement; 79 & 81 in the first, 81 & 80 in the second (via announcer)  Curve ball & slider started to blend together by the middle innings to the point where I started to wonder whether they were variations rather than unique pitches  Straight change-up with some arm side run and drop; used judiciously and had hitters ahead of the pitch when he threw it; 81 in the second (via announcer) Fastball command was good in the first inning, but deserted him from that point on  Fastball from the second inning on tended to be left up in the zone; hittable when he wasn't hitting his spots  Command of his breaking ball(s) was significantly better; he often froze hitters with pitches on the black on both sides of the plate  Got more aggressive in the strike zone when his command wouldn't let him hit corners with consistency

6-14-11: - http://www.minorleagueball.com/2011/6/14/2222649/2011-mlb-draft-new-york-mets-review#storyjum p - 2) Cory Mazzoni, RHP, North Carolina State: Low-90s fastball, sometimes faster, good breaking ball, good splitter, interesting stats. Note outstanding K/BB and K/IP ratios. 3.30 ERA, 137/29 K/BB in 115 IP.

6-22-11: - Draft Update: - 2nd round (71st overall) pick, SP Cory Mazzoni, signed for $437,500. Slot figure was $514,800. That’s called under-slotting.

7-13-11: - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/765098-new-york-mets-dillon-gee-and-the-mets-top-10-young-pitching-prospects#/articles/765098-new-york-mets-dillon-gee-and-the-mets-top-10-young-pitching-prospects/page/2  - One way for the New York Mets to revamp their pitching staff is to build directly from the draft. Mazzoni, a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher from North Carolina State, was the second-round pick of the New York Mets and doubled as the highest-drafted signed pitcher. Mazzoni is not very big—he stands at 6’1” and weighs less than 200 pounds—but despite his size, he can absolutely bring the heat. In college, his fastball was consistently in the mid-to-low-90s, and has reached a premium velocity clocked at 97 mph. Mazzoni is also known for his steady control. Athletically built and often referred to as a “bulldog," Mazzoni is the type of the pitcher to go right after the batter simply by throwing strike after strike. Although an obvious worry is that at the major league level this kind of player would be torched, it’s actually very good news to learn that a pitcher is as accurate as Mazzoni is because that’s one of the hardest tools for a pitcher to learn.

8-22-11: - #20 – RP Cory Mazzoni – Mazzoni was thrown right into the fire and has produced wonderful results for St. Lucie. Yes, it’s only five outings, but it’s obvious that he will play at this level again come spring. There still is a lot of question whether the Mets will use him as a starter, but I’d leave him in the pen. He throws around 92 but has sick late movement. Great draft pick.

8-21-11: - Stock Up – RP – Cory Mazzoni – Since signing with the Mets, Mazzoni is quietly pitching out of the St. Lucie pen and had another great outing on Sunday: 2.0-IP, 0-R, 0-H, 0-BB, 2-K. That’s a combined 10 outings for Brooklyn/St. Lucie and a 0.82 ERA.

10-25-11: - http://www.minorleaguerundown.com/2011/10/25/2011-top-20-new-york-mets-prospects  - 2011 Top 20 New York Mets Prospects - 13.Cory Mazzoni, RHP (Short Season NY-Penn, High Class A): Statistically speaking there isn’t much to write home about in his 13 inning professional debut. Pure potential-wise, Mazzoni has the fastball and breaking stuff to be a quality rotation piece, and if you look at his college career, that’s pretty clear. Much of the Mets’ remaining pitching depth is buried in Class A ball, so he will need to compete for innings. If the Mets are smart they won’t make him, as he likely has one of (if not the) best two pitch mixes down there.