Progeny of Pagnozzi

The St. Louis Cardinals drafted right-handed pitcher Nick Webber in the second round (78th overall) of the June 2005 entry draft out of Central Missouri State.

He came to Central Missouri State from Lee’s Summit (Missouri) high school where he lettered in both football and baseball

As a freshman at Central Missouri State he made four starts in 12 appearances. In 32 innings he struck out 26 and allowed just one extra base hit while holding opponents to a .211 average. Went at least 4.2 innings in four starts (at least five innings in three). In 2003 he posted a 3-0 record, gave up nine runs (eight earned), 15 free passes in 136 batters faced.

Webber had a great summer as he pitched 15 scoreless s innings at the 2003 National Baseball Congress tournament in Wichita, Kansas.

Webber was the closer for Central Missouri State in 2004 as he posted a 2-3 record in 23 appearances. He had a 1.54 ERA in 35 innings of work. He gave up 27 hits, eight runs (6 earned), seven bases on balls and three doubles in 131 batters faced. He held opposing hitters to a .206 average and collected eight saves. He was named to the third-team GLVC All-Region team.

webber pitched in the 2004 Cape Cod League posting a 3-1 record in 20 appearances. He worked 23 innings facing 111 batters. He posted a 3.91 ERA and collected one save. He struck out 29 and walked 20 (three intentional). He surrendered 15 runs (10 earned) and two homers. He plunked two batters.

Webber pitched in 29 games for Central Missouri State in ‘05 posting a 3-1 record and 1.06 ERA in 42.1 innings pitched. He collected 11 saves. He surrendered 20 hits in 144 batters faced (.139 AVG), 12 bases on balls, one double, a single homer and seven runs. He struck out 45 batters.

His 11 saves for Central Missouri State in ‘05 was good for second place on the school’s single-season record list. His 19 career saves was a MIAA record. He earned second-team ABCA All-America honors.

He ranked first in the MIAA in relief appearances and saves.

Webber served as the closer for the NCAA Division II powerhouse Central Missouri State Mules in 2005. The Cardinals immediately moved him into the rotation at short season New Jersey as they envision him as a future part of their starting rotation in St. Louis.

At New Jersey he started nine games as he compiled a 5-2 record and 1.87 earned run average in 53 innings. Webber struck out 43 batters and walked 15, surrendering 35 hits and two home runs. He held opposing batsmen to a .179 average.

Webber quickly made the jump to Low Class-A when he was promoted to Quad Cities. His numbers were not quite as good for the Swing as fatigue began to sink in for the former collegiate closer. He started five games for Quad Cities, compiling an 0-4 record and 3.41 ERA in 29 innings pitched. Nick punched out 11 batters and offered up free passes to nine. Opponents hit .250 off of him in Low-A ball.

Cumulatively he posted a 5-6 record, 2.41 ERA, 82 SAPP, 54 K, 24 BB, 63 H, 33 R, 3 HR, 1 CG and held the opposition to a .205 BA during his professional debut in 2005.

Webber possesses one of the best fastballs in the farm system, it sits between 91- and 94-mph with a heavy sink and unbelievable movement. As a closer at the collegiate level he relied mostly on his heat and will need to develop both his slider and changeup if he is to make the full transition from reliever to starter.

Nick will have to hone his command and build himself up to where he throws his fastball consistently. At times the velocity on his number one dropped to the high-80’s on the radar gun.

He does have the makeup to succeed as a closer but St. Louis would like to see him climb the ranks of the organization in the rotation. Webber may very well end up in the bullpen when he is ready to pitch in St. Louis but for the time being he will hone his craft in the rotations of various minor league affiliates of the Cards. He should begin the year back at Low-A Quad Cities and earn a promotion at some point to High-A Palm Beach.