Topic: Mark Prior

Mark William Prior (born September 7, 1980 in San Diego, California) is a pitcher in the New York Yankees organization. He played for the Chicago Cubs from 2002-2006. His career has been notably muddled with injuries after a promising start which had the sports media calling him a future superstar. His repertoire of pitches includes a low to mid 90s fastball, a curveball, a slurve, and a changeup.

Prior graduated from the University of San Diego High School. He was originally drafted by the New York Yankees in the 1998 amateur draft, but they were unable to sign him to a contract.

Prior attended his father's alma mater, Vanderbilt University for his freshman year. He transferred to USC, where he won the Dick Howser Trophy, given annually to the national collegiate baseball player of the year. After becoming a professional baseball player, he continued his education on a part-time basis and received a business degree from USC Marshall School of Business in 2004. He was part of a pitching rotation that also boasted current Cleveland Indians pitcher Anthony Reyes.