Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | STL | LHP | 7 | 50 |
Grades Update: Dec 2020
| OFP | Role | FB | CB | SL | CH | Ctl/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 45 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 55/50 |
Dec 2020 Report
Evaluator: Wyatt Kleinberg
Age: 21 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 200 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2018 Draft - Round 1, TB
RuleV: 2022
Physical Description: At 6'5'' 200, Liberatore provides what is widely considered to be a strong frame for a starting pitcher. Slightly lanky with a solid lower half, Liberatore offers a rare combination of plus strength potential with a large frame. He does not possess elite athleticism when it comes to explosiveness or quick twitch power generation, though he has relatively average flexibility; the lower body strength and helps make up for the deficiencies.
Delivery & Mechanics: Liberatore has a very simple, repeatable, low stress delivery. Works out of both the windup and stretch. Has a leg lift that is relatively standard in height, doing a very good job of generating force via the pointing of his right glute towards the plate prior to his drop and drive. The drop and drive does not go very far forward however, with an extension averaging around six feet. This hurts all of his pitches outside of the curveball. Despite this deficiency, he sinks well into his glutes upon plant, rotates well (on time, low stress), leading into a high 3/4 slot from a release height of around six feet. While his scap retraction and hip shoulder are nothing beyond special, his elite arm action makes up for it, allowing for the generation of plus velocity.
Fastball: Liberatore's four seam fastball, despite the solid reviews it has received across the scouting world is an average pitch at best. Coming from a six foot release height (subpar extension), at a below average spin rate of 2019 rpm, with 14.9 inches of induced vertical break, it would require near triple digit velocity to help make up for its issues. The pitch does not come in remotely near that, with an average velocity of 92.5 mph (he can touch 96-97, but it is very rare). Despite his ability to spot it pretty well, it will struggle to miss bats or generate soft contact at the big league level at a consistent rate. Grade: 45
Curveball: Liberatore's curveball is the only pitch in his arsenal that greatly benefits from his subpar extension and release traits (given total arsenal makeup). It is a solid change of pace for the left hander, coming in at an average velocity of 75.5 mph. While the slurvy 4:45 tilt does take away from its ability to get max drop (what may be ideal given his release traits), the spin rate of 2846 rpm allows for it to play plus (10.1 hmov, 14.5 vmov). He generally locates the pitch well, though it ocasionally doesn't break as sharp as would be optimal. A shift to a more vertical axis could make this pitch elite, and help bolster the slider, which comes from a similar tilt (lowering slider effectiveness). Grade: 55
Slider: The slider, while possessing solid traits is set to struggle at the next level thanks to its similar profile to the curveball unless changes are made. With solid sweep (5.8 in), at good spin, the pitch plays plus. That is about the only area in which it is optimized however. Coming from a 4:15 axis with an average velocity of 80.4 mph, it is too similar in profile to the curveball to do maximum damage. The spin rate suggests that a horizontal shift in axis would make the pitch run more, differentiating itself from he curveball, making both offerings more successful in the process. While he can command it well, the pitch will never play more than slightly above average in the show if the traits on both breaking balls remain the same. 60+ potential. Grade: 50
Changeup: Liberatore's fading changeup is his second best pitch behind the curveball. At an average velocity of 85 mph with a spin rate in the 1900s, the pitch is built to run coming from its 10:15 axis. The more horizontal tilt, higher spin, and his hard pronation upon release suggest horizontal run - it delivers, running an average of 15.1 inches. His lack of a solid extension and average release height allow the pitch to get more depth than the 10.2 inches of induced vertical break suggest, making the pitch play plus. He can spot up well, though his overall command on the pitch could still improve - this would allow the pitch to play plus plus, rather than its current state (plus). Grade: 55
Control and Command: Liberatore does a very good job of locating pitches in the strike zone. The fastball is consistently thrown for strikes, though he can lose the change on occasion. The lack of extreme depth or break on the curve allows him to keep it in the zone consistently, and his feel on the slider is plus. Overall plus command. He is still honing in on his feel for the changeup, and the curveball can lose its sharpness on occasion. The overall command will only go up as the feel for the pitches does. Current 50 with easy 55 potential. Control: 55 | Command: 50
Overall: The lack of a plus primary offering and the similarity in overall profiles of the two breaking balls are holding Liberatore back. While the latter of the two can easily be corrected, the fastball problem is one that could haunt him in the long run. A switch to a sinker would be interesting (he has the profile), though current circumstances suggest a backend of the rotation type of arm.
OFP: 50
Role: 50 - #4-#5 Backend SP
Risk: Low
