WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2002
R+:  1-2-0, 5.40 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 18.1 IP, 6.9 BB/9, 7.4 K/9

The Devil Rays started Mann off in advanced rookie ball, which is a little advanced for a high school draftee, and he had control problems in limited relief action.

2003
R+:  4-2-0, 4.29 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 63.0 IP, 4.0 BB/9, 6.6 K/9
A-:  0-2-0, 6.97 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 10.1 IP, 4.4 BB/9, 6.1 K/9

Mann went back to the Appalachian League and made some progress as a starter.

2004
A-:  5-5-0, 3.38 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 72.0 IP, 2.2 BB/9, 8.5 K/9

Mann stayed in short season ball for a third year, still as a starter, and put up good numbers across the board.

2005
A:  10-11-0, 3.81 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 151.0 IP, 3.8 BB/9, 5.1 K/9

In low A, Mann pitched respectably, but his walk and K rates took a big hit.

2006
A+:  4-9-0, 5.64 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 157.1 IP, 4.3 BB/9, 7.9 K/9

Mann struggled in the hitting-happy California League, allowing 19 HRs and a lot of baserunners.

2007
DNP

Mann spent the season on the restricted list for unknown reasons.

2008
A+:  3-12-0, 4.82 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 130.2 IP, 2.7 BB/9, 7.1 K/9

The Rays sent Mann back to high A, this time to their new affiliate in the Florida State League.  He did somewhat better than in 2006, mainly due to a lower walk rate, but if you adjust for the fact that he went from the best hitting league in the minors to the worst, it was probably about the same season.  He gave up 18 HRs, so gopher balls were still a problem.

2009
AA:  7-9-1, 4.44 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 125.2 IP, 3.4 BB/9, 5.2 K/9

The Rays moved Mann up to AA, where he continued to pitch mainly as a starter.  He cut his HRs allowed to six, but he also saw his K rate drop sharply.  Mann became a free agent after the season and signed with the Dodgers during spring training.

2010
A+:  3-0-1, 4.12 ERA, 1.83 WHIP, 48.0 IP, 4.7 BB/9, 9.0 K/9
IND:  1-2-0, 5.14 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 28.0 IP, 4.5 BB/9, 7.1 K/9

The Dodgers sent Mann back to high A, where he pitched in relief in the California League.  He struggled more than his ERA indicates and LA released him late in the season.  He caught on with the independent Atlantic League and made five starts, with minimal success.

2011
JAPAN:  1-1-0, 1.16 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 23.1 IP, 3.1 BB/9, 6.6 K/9

Mann signed with Yokohama in Japan and pitched mostly in relief.  He was very effective in limited time.

2012
JAPAN:  2-8-0, 5.32 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 69.1 IP, 3.8 BB/9, 5.5 K/9

Mann returned to Yokohama and pitched as a starter, with considerably less success.

2013
DNP

The Nationals signed Mann over the winter to a minor league deal, but they released him at the end of spring training and he didn’t catch on anywhere else.

There’s nothing in Mann’s background that suggests he could be more than an organizational depth guy, probably at either Bradenton or Altoona, although he was not on any roster to start the season.  He could start or relieve, as needed.