Jeff Niemann, one of the many promising pitching arms in the Rays minor league system will start the season in AAA Durham. Niemann, who stands 6′9” and is listed at 260 lbs, will try to tighten up his game a bit more in the minors before making his major league debut.
In 2007 Niemann, now 25 years old, spent the entire season in Durham and posted a 12-6 record. Niemann given his stature is a power pitcher and has averaged better than a strike out per inning in his 238 career minor league innings.
Baseball America ranks Niemann as the seventh best prospect in the organization. They note that injuries have slowed his progress but that he still projects to blossom into a number 2 or 3 starter. I’m guessing we see him Tampa Bay at some point in 2008.
