Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | MIN | RHP | 15 | 45 |
Grades Update: Apr 2021
| OFP | Role | FB | CB | CH | Ctr/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 40 | 50 | 45 | 60 | 60/60 |
Apr 2021 Report
Evaluator: Mike Kurland
Age: 25 yr
Height: 6-9
Weight: 260 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 Round 12
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster
Physical Description: Big frame that's filled out. Long limbs and high waist. Looks every bit of his size. No projection left here.
Delivery & Mechanics: Keeps is simple and for a tall pitcher it is repeatable as the game goes on. Seems a bit stiff in his delivery and could benefit from utilizing his lower half more. Windeup; glove remains at just above waist high. Knee comes up just above waist high and drives forward. Remains a little high and appears to utilize the upper half more. Lower half could benefit from more use. Would help generate some power and assist in velocity. Does sit into his glutes but seems a little stiff .Does set and pivot front leg and allows for the extension. Average hip/shoulder separation. Lacks above average scap flexibility. Throws from a high 3/4 arm slot. Leans to first base slightly as he extends and releases.
Fastball: 86-88 MPH. There is movement to it that allows it to play up well in the zone. There is some arm-side run with life to the fastball. He throws it as both an out and a whiff pitch with confidence. Although the velo is less than desirable, he is able to pain the black on both sides and attack up in the zone with success. He hits his spots and attacks the zone often. Velo is the concern but the rest is there. Grade: 50
Curveball: 72-75 MPH. Looping curve with 12-6 action. Able to put it at the knees and attack the zone but can leave it over the middle of the plate too often but does not get hit hard even when he misses his spots. Attacks RHH and LHH with it but it could use work. Has potential and can flash above average at times but it's the lack of consistency that keeps it from being above-average. Grade: 45
Changeup: 77-79 MPH. Good fade and movement on it. Generates whiffs and soft contact. Will throw against both LHH and RHH but it is mostly used against LHH. Able to paint the corners and the black as well. He induces swings and misses both in and out of the zone. Good differential in velo from the fastball. Keeps good arm action and throws with a similar arm speed as the fastball. Grade: 60
Control and Command: The control and command is just great. Can hit his spots more times than not with every pitch. Able to locate with pinpoint accuracy a ton. Even when he misses his spots, he tends to miss in ways that don't allow for a ton of damage. Control: 60 | Command: 60
Overall: Although there have been some injuries and the velocity is less than desirable, apparently he took the appropriate steps towards correcting it. Ober has improved his mechanics in 2020 to utilize the lower half more to help take strain off his throwing arm. In the process, he also added a few ticks to the fastball and it is said to be sitting 91-92 MPH. Adding velo to what is plus command and control and great strikeout and walk rates could be just what he needs to take the leap. There is a relief risk here but the profile could play to a high-floor in production due to the ability to go deep into games. In 2019, he managed to pitch 6 innings or more in 9 of his 14 starts. There is a chance for a back-end rotation type of starter here with a bullpen role the more likely outcome.
OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Backend SP #5 or Long Reliever
Risk: High
