Chicago Cubs scouting director Jim Hendry told Baseball America that Mike Wuertz has "a chance to get a lot of groundballs and be a good Wrigley Field pitcher.

Wednesday, November 03, 1999

Chicago Cubs scouting director Jim Hendry told Baseball America that Mike Wuertz has "a chance to get a lot of groundballs and be a good Wrigley Field pitcher."

Hendry was quoted in a story written about Wuertz in the latest issue of Baseball America (Nov. 1-14, 1999).

Baseball America is an authority on minor league baseball and had Wuertz rated No. 15 in its preseason list of Cubs prospects.

Wuertz, the Austin grad who was an 11th-round draft pick in 1997, pitched for the Class A Lansing Lugnuts of the Midwest League in 1999, his second minor league season.

Wuertz finished with an 11-12 mark and a 4.80 earned run average.

"A lot of times at the lower levels, the numbers aren’t that vital," Hendry told Baseball America. "He pitched well down the stretch. He pitched well in the playoffs and won the first playoff game (at Michigan). He’s a very competitive kid.

"His change is improving, and his slider was a little inconsistent early, but got better late. He’s up to 92-93 mph with his fastball."

Wuertz, 20, was quoted later in the story by Baseball America saying, "Basically, one of my strengths is keeping the ball low. I battle and I learn from my mistakes. I’m working on my slider and pitching in a little more."

Wuertz has returned to Austin from the post-season Arizona instructional league.

As he did last year, the righthander will help coach the Austin ninth grade boys basketball team.

After that, he’ll embark on his third professional season.