Born: 1/6/91 in Ocala, FL      6-1  185 lbs.  Throw: R  Hits: R

Selected by the Padres in the 4^th round of the 2009 draft out of Forest HS in Ocala, FL. Committed to FL St but signed with the Padres, received reportedly 2^nd round bonus money.

Keyvius Sampson was fully committed to playing college ball when the Padres persuaded him to sign as a pro, guaranteeing him above slot money and a paid college education. These points are more important in his case because Sampson did not come to pro ball easily. During his sophomore year at Forest HS he was expelled for a gun conviction and, just a few months later, his mother passed away from a cancer-related illness. He moved in with Scott Carpenter and his family, who became his legal guardian and, later, his agent. He spent the rest of that academic period at a military-style academy and came back to HS ball the next year. During his senior year he played OF and pitched and finished the year with a 9-1 record, 0.84 ERA and 134 SO. Scouted by many teams, the Padres were pleasantly surprised when he was still there in the 4^th round and were willing to give him out-of-slot money for his talent.

His talent consists of a 91-93 mph FB that can touch 95 with good movement, an above average mix of a 2 seamer that runs in on right handers and a 4 seamer that runs outside, as well as an above average curve and well developed change. He can throw all of them for strikes and has good control/command at his young age. He works down in the zone and is not afraid to challenge a hitter in.

After signing, Keyvius was sent to work in AZ and short season Eugene but pitched in only 4 games (2 games started) and 8 innings due to arm problems. He nonetheless had 8 SO with a 3.38 ERA. His arm injury was diagnosed as a small labrum tear but no surgery was needed and rehab treatment was all that was required.

Going into the 2010 season, the Padres felt he needed some work on his delivery and he went to instructs to incorporate more of his lower body into his delivery and take some stress off his arm. For his 2010 Eugene season he started in 10 games and 43 IP with 35 H, 17 BB, 58 SO, 4 HR for a 3-3 record, 12.1K/9, 1.26 WHIP and 3.56 ERA. He once again had arm soreness and was shut down early to protect his arm. For the 1^st half of the season, before the soreness developed, he pitched in 8 games (27.2 IP) with 53 SO and .200 avg against.

His arm soreness was gone with more rehab during the off-season and Sampson has come into 2011 on fire. For his first 2 starts he has gone 11 IP with 2 hits, 1 BB and 19 SO, pitching 6 perfect innings in his first outing. The Padres organization will put a premium on keeping him healthy and he will be restricted with pitch counts through the season but his early season success has sent ripples through the fans and media covering Padres baseball. With his advanced skills for his age, the sky is the limit and he could project as a top of the rotation starter in the future. Baseball America has him ranked as the 20^th top prospect in the Padres system. He will become a top tier prospect if his current health continues and he performs at the level he is capable. No one expects the current dominance to continue but he will be someone to watch closely as the season progresses. My guess is that he will be a late season promotion