Syd Finch, is that you?

[JasonEvans]

This story just seems a tad too familiar. Is it April Fool's Day?

In one of their craziest scouting experiences, the Minnesota Twins have reached a deal with a 24-year-old pitching prospect who has thrown 100 mile per hour fastballs but has never been drafted.

-Jason "there has to be more to this story" Evans

[cspan37421]

Given his ERA > 8 in college, it's quite understandable that he was overlooked. I would not be surprised if there are a few others similarly overlooked who can throw over 100 mph, but lack adequate control to progress through the ranks.

[BD80]

Given his ERA > 8 in college, it's quite understandable that he was overlooked. I would not be surprised if there are a few others similarly overlooked who can throw over 100 mph, but lack adequate control to progress through the ranks.

Charlie Sheen, Tim Robbins

All he needs is a catcher like Kevin Costner or Tom Berenger

[Olympic Fan]

Actually, this story reminds me more of Dennis Quaid and The Rookie more than Syd Finch, Nuke LaRoosh or Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn, who were after all just fictional characters.

Jim Morris was very real. A minor leaguer from 1983-89, he never got past Single-A baseball. He quit and began working at as a teacher and coach in various towns all over Texas.

In 1999, to inspire his high school team, he promised them that he would attend a tryout camp if they reached the regionals. When they did -- for the first time in school history -- he kept his promise.

He was allowed into a Tampa Bay tryout, despite his age (35) because of a kindly scout who wanted to allow him to fulfill his promise to his team.

Then Morris went out and threw 12 straight pitches that topped 98 MPH!

He was signed by the Rays and wound up in the majors before the end of the year -- a rookie at age 35. His run was brief -- he made 10 appearances in 2000 and retired after the season.

Truth is stranger than fiction!