Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | STL | LHP | 35 | 35 |
Grades Update: Dec 2020
| OFP | Role | FB | SL | CH | Ctl/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 30 | 50 | 50 | 40 | 50/45 |
Dec 2020 Report
Evaluator: Matt Thompson
Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 184 lbs
Hits/Throws: S/L
Acquired: 2020 Draft - Round 3
RuleV: 2023
Physical Description: Short, not physically imposing or intimidating on the mound, but is a bulldog that attacks hitters. Frame essentially is what it is. Don't see any drastic physical changes on the horizon. Athletic and light on his feet, Prater fields his position well. Worth noting that he only has two fingers on his right (non-throwing) hand after a lawnmower accident as a two year old.
Delivery & Mechanics: Starts on the first base side of the rubber. Utilizes an inverted windup. Lifts leg waist high, and has a traditional drop and drive delivery. Throws across his body, leads to an uncomfortable at bat for lefties. It's an athletic delivery that will require him to stay in shape, and I don't project that to be an issue. Gets a lot of extension, but small framed guy so you don't notice it as much on paper. Repeatability is high. Very consistent.
Fastball: Sits 90-91 out of a 3/4 arm slot. Capable of bumping up to 94. Tough at bat for lefties, potential bullpen floor if he can't start. Works all four quadrants with the heater. Will pitch inside. Will try and throw the pitch by guys, despite its limitations. Above-average command of heater earns the pitch an average grade. Grade: 50
Slider: Tough pitch for lefties due to arm slot. Starts behind lefties and breaks over the plate. Breaks toward the backfoot of right-handers. Has shown traits of being an above-average pitch but will lose its shape. Prater and organization have to find that consistency. Grade: 50
Changeup: Mimics fastball, just minimal fade. Essentially a slower version of the heater. Distant third pitch. Uses it versus right-handers. Grade: 40
Control and Command: Average control, slightly below average command. Will miss and catch too much of plate with fastball. When he misses with a secondary pitch it's down more often than not, or off the plate. He's around the plate consistently. Control: 50 | Command: 45
Overall: Prater can become a backend starter if the control moves to plus and/or if the changeup takes a step forward. He's a strike thrower that has pitched above his stuff so far, and can provide quality innings through his controllable years in a variety of roles on a big league staff.
OFP: 35
Role: 30 - Up/Down Emergency Depth
Risk: Low
