Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | MIN | RHP | 18 | 45 |
Grades Update: Apr 2021
| OFP | Role | FB | CB | SL | CH | Ctr/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 40 | 45 | 40 | 55 | 45 | 55/50 |
Apr 2021 Report
Evaluator: Geoff Pontes
Age: 18 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 165 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Round 4
RuleV: 2024
Physical Description: Below average height and physicality. Small even for a six-footer, skinny without much bulk. High level of athleticism with the ability to add some muscle and strength without detracting from his ability to move on the mound.
Delivery & Mechanics: Semi-windup; drop and drive delivery; 3/4 slot; moderate leg lift; plus arm speed. Repeats mechanics well; improved leg block and saw velocity climb during shutdown. Still quad dominant lower half in motion; likely an area to uncover more velocity in game.
Fastball: 89-92 mph; up to 93 mph in bullpens during the shutdown. Lots of cut movement late which plays up his fastball versus right handed hitters. Runs into lefty barrels when he throws glove-side. Likely to work on fastball shape in an attempt to add ride to his fastball, making it more effective in the upper quadrants and gloveside to lefties. Commands the pitch well now and his repeatable athletic motion allows him to project as a strike thrower. Fringe average fastball with projection for more. Grade: 45
Curveball: Third pitch with slow 12-6 break. Sits 73-75 mph, early count strike stealer to keep hitters off his FB+SL combination. Below average pitch he commands well. Not an out pitch but a true change of pace offering. Grade: 40
Slider: Sits 80-82 mph; touching 83. Above-average slider with heavy horizontal break. Bat missing pitch that jams lefties on and gets righthanders to chase. Commands it well pounding the zone gloveside. High spin (2600-2800 rpms) with good velocity, throws it hard and might be able to add a few ticks which would likely only up his strikeout rate. Shows the best feel for his slider of all his pitches. Grade: 55
Changeup: Low-80s changeup with some armside run late. Doesn't always get on top of it, and it can lack bite. Sells it with his arm speed, and has shown more consistency in pen. Needs to show he can use it effectively. Has the most projection out of all his pitches and his ability to sell it provides a strong foundation upon which to build. Grade: 45
Control and Command: Strike thrower with consistent control of his body. Repeatable deli every with loose athletic motions. Should only improve feel as he grows and adds velocity. Release point is consistent; with the ability to tunnel fastball and slider. Still learning feel for his changeup which is the biggest question mark in his control and command profile. Needs to work on armside location and command. Once he improves in that area there's a real chance he can develop into an above-average command guy. For now it's above-average strike throwing with average pitch placement. Control: 55 | Command: 50
Overall: One of the best development plays in the 2020 MLB draft. A strong athletic baseline, a deep pitch mix, and feel for his arsenal. As he improves fastball velocity and shape it's likely he moves to a 55 grade when it's all said and done. For now that's speculative, as it still has to happen in actuality. His slider is all already an above-average offering with a chance to play better in the coming years. While his curveball will likely be phased out over time, his changeup development is the true sticking point in his future role as a starter. He's young and talented enough to bring it to an average grade at maturation which could see him develop into a true rotation arm with three average or better pitches and the ability to command the zone. A name to watch in the coming years.
OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Backend SP #5
Risk: High
