Bannister was an in-demand prospect. The Boston Red Sox tried to lure him out of USC as a Junior in the 45th round (1342nd OA) in 2002. The New York Mets got him the following year, in 2003, in the 7th round (199th OA).
His best year in college was as a Junior, with a 2.83 ERA on 54 innings pitched he allowed only 17 earned runs and 3 homers while striking out 56.
In 2003 he was assigned to the Brooklyn Cyclones of the Short-A New York-Penn League. He went 4-1 with a 2.15 ERA, racking up 42 strikeouts in 46 innings of work.
After winter camp broke in 2004 he stayed behind in Port St. Lucie to play with the FSL Class-A Mets. His ERA climbed to 4.32 with a 5-7 record. He had 106 strikeouts, but 10 wild pitches and 53 earned runs, six of which are dingers. He walked just 27 in 110.1 innings pitched.
Bannister was promoted to Binghamton's B-Mets in the Class-AA Eastern League. His ERA improved slightly to 4.06.
College:University
of Southern California (USC) High School: Chaparral High School
Bats: R Throws:R
Organization:New York Mets
Acquired: Mets, 2003 7th Round
199th OA
Signed By: Steve Leavitt
Last Ballclub:Norfolk
Tides
2004 FAB50 Ranking: NR
2005 appears to be Brian's breakout season. Starting at Binghamton, he went 9-4 with a much happier 2.56 ERA on 109 innings pitched. He struck out 94 while allowing only 31 earned runs. That earned him a new locker in Norfolk, playing with the Triple-A Tides of the International League.
There he has continued to show good stuff, going 4-1 to date on a 2.97 ERA with 35 Ks in 33 innings of work.
Bannister is a second gen pitcher whose dad, Floyd, was the no. 1 overall pick in the 1976 Draft for the Houston Astros.
He's a five-pitch player who can use all of them pretty effectively. His curve has improved to the point that it's helping him keep batters off bases. His low 90s fastball is more effective from location than sheer velocity.
We see him being useful to the Mets by next season, 2006. If he continues to put up these numbers, there is probably little reason to keep him in Norfolk. He makes a good 4 or 5 starter.
