2018 MLB Draft Preview: Top Pitchers
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| 2018 MLB Draft Prospect Casey Mize (Photo Courtesy of Julie Bennett/Alabama Media Group) |
With the calendar now in the month of May, the MLB First-Year Player Draft is less than a month away. Thus far nearly all prospects that will be considered towards the top of the draft have had an opportunity to showcase their abilities and display why they deserve to be selected with one of the coveted picks. As many high school prospects have already or will soon complete their season, those at the college ranks are getting into the latter part of their schedule, with post-season play (conference tournament and College World Series) to follow.
Pitching is always of high priority in the MLB Draft, with some years providing more depth than others. This year's class of pitchers presents a number of intriguing prospects at both the college and high school level, with both right handers and left handers ranking amongst the top hurlers. Whether it be a more polished and developed college arm who projects to move through the minor league system quickly and debut in the major leagues within a couple years or a projectable high school arm who flashes the raw stuff and potential to become a frontline starter in a rotation for the future of some organization, teams can never have enough pitching.
A quantity of quality arms with varying abilities exist in this edition of prized pitchers, allowing for teams to pick their liking from the bunch. Without any further ado, here are a few of the pitching prospects that teams will likely give high consideration to towards the top of the draft next month.
COLLEGE
- Casey Mize, RHP (Auburn)
With both power and precision, Mize is generally considered the best pitcher in college baseball. At 6'3, 220-pounds, the 21-year old right handed junior has a presence on the mound and the stuff to back it up.
With a fastball that has natural movement and typically sits between 93-95 mph and can reach into the upper 90's, Mize also features plus command which benefits him well. His best secondary pitch is a splitter, which clocks near 90 mph, may be the most effective pitch in college baseball and is already equipped to miss bats at the major league level.
After a successful 2017 season where he posted 8-2 record with a 2.09 ERA, Mize has a 9-2 record thus far this season increasing his strikeouts from 109 to 119 in nearly the exact same amount of innings — 83.2 in '17, 84 in '18 — while lowering his batting average against him from .210 to .167.
With a fastball that has natural movement and typically sits between 93-95 mph and can reach into the upper 90's, Mize also features plus command which benefits him well. His best secondary pitch is a splitter, which clocks near 90 mph, may be the most effective pitch in college baseball and is already equipped to miss bats at the major league level.
After a successful 2017 season where he posted 8-2 record with a 2.09 ERA, Mize has a 9-2 record thus far this season increasing his strikeouts from 109 to 119 in nearly the exact same amount of innings — 83.2 in '17, 84 in '18 — while lowering his batting average against him from .210 to .167.
- Brady Singer, RHP (Florida)
Having previously defeated Mize the last week of April, Singer shared SEC (Southeastern Conference) Co-Pitcher of the Week honors along with him on May 7th. He was recognized after he threw a complete game shoutout on May 5th against Texas A&M in a 9-0 win.
Giving up only six hits, allowing zero base on balls, no player got past first base in his impressive performance. Continuing an outstanding season, Singer has been the ace of the #1 ranked team in the country with a 10-1 record and ERA of 2.33.
Already a highly touted prospect out of high school, being selected in the second round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, the 6'5 righty has only improved while in Gainesville. Featuring a fastball that regularly touches the mid-90's, he also possess two plus off-speed offerings in a slider and changeup, which he controls well with an average of less than two walks per nine innings.
Giving up only six hits, allowing zero base on balls, no player got past first base in his impressive performance. Continuing an outstanding season, Singer has been the ace of the #1 ranked team in the country with a 10-1 record and ERA of 2.33.
Already a highly touted prospect out of high school, being selected in the second round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, the 6'5 righty has only improved while in Gainesville. Featuring a fastball that regularly touches the mid-90's, he also possess two plus off-speed offerings in a slider and changeup, which he controls well with an average of less than two walks per nine innings.
- Jackson Kowar, RHP (Florida)
If it weren't for Brady Singer's presence on the Florida roster, Kowar would be the Gators undisputed ace — as he'd be for most teams around the country. At 6'6 with a lanky though athletic build, Kowar has had a solid season on the mound for the Gators, pitching to a 2.80 ERA and 8-2 record.
He bounced back from just his second loss of the season in his most recent start against Texas A&M, throwing six innings, giving up only one hit and run with, while tallying eight strikeouts.
His fastball features slightly more velocity than Singer, while also containing a changeup in his arsenal which often has batters off balance. Kowar's control can hinder him at times, but allow him to be lethal when he harnesses it.
He bounced back from just his second loss of the season in his most recent start against Texas A&M, throwing six innings, giving up only one hit and run with, while tallying eight strikeouts.
His fastball features slightly more velocity than Singer, while also containing a changeup in his arsenal which often has batters off balance. Kowar's control can hinder him at times, but allow him to be lethal when he harnesses it.
- Ryan Rolison, LHP (Mississippi)
Left handed pitchers are always coveted and Rolison may be the best southpaw available in this year's draft. Only a sophomore, the 6'3, 205-pound native of Tennessee came to Ole Miss as an already established prospect on the radar of MLB teams.
Considered one of the more complete pitchers out of high school, Rolison was expected to go early in the 2016 MLB Draft until it was apparent he would likely follow through on his commitment to attend Mississippi and fell to the 37th round being selected by the San Diego Padres. Following an excellent first season in Oxford, receiving Freshman All-American honors, he pitched well in the prestigious Cape Cod League last summer against a collection of the best talent from around the country.
His control has wavered at times this season but he still has the ability to get guys out pitching to both sides of the plate with his fastball which can tip radar guns at 95 mph and typically sets in at 91-93, and a breaking ball that varies between a slider and a curveball.
Considered one of the more complete pitchers out of high school, Rolison was expected to go early in the 2016 MLB Draft until it was apparent he would likely follow through on his commitment to attend Mississippi and fell to the 37th round being selected by the San Diego Padres. Following an excellent first season in Oxford, receiving Freshman All-American honors, he pitched well in the prestigious Cape Cod League last summer against a collection of the best talent from around the country.
His control has wavered at times this season but he still has the ability to get guys out pitching to both sides of the plate with his fastball which can tip radar guns at 95 mph and typically sets in at 91-93, and a breaking ball that varies between a slider and a curveball.
- Shane McClanahan, LHP (South Florida)
After not allowing an earned run in his first six starts of the season, McClanahan has had to work a bit harder to keep runs off the board in conference play. Still, he's missed bats with his lively let arm that allows him to rear back and touch 100 mph when need be.
After missing the 2016 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, the hard-throwing southpaw stood out last season when in his first season on the mound in college baseball he struck out 104 batters in 76 innings pitched, holding opponents to a batting average of .181. McClanahan has experienced some inconsistency this season as opposed to 2017, with that being said he remains in the mix amongst the best pitchers available.
A former draft pick of the Mets out of high school, McClanahan figures to be coveted by more than a few teams this time around, as his stuff is capable of getting Major League hitters out right now. The largest question concerning the South Florida product will be if his future is developed as a starter or fast-tracked to the big leagues as a potential prized reliever.
After missing the 2016 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, the hard-throwing southpaw stood out last season when in his first season on the mound in college baseball he struck out 104 batters in 76 innings pitched, holding opponents to a batting average of .181. McClanahan has experienced some inconsistency this season as opposed to 2017, with that being said he remains in the mix amongst the best pitchers available.
A former draft pick of the Mets out of high school, McClanahan figures to be coveted by more than a few teams this time around, as his stuff is capable of getting Major League hitters out right now. The largest question concerning the South Florida product will be if his future is developed as a starter or fast-tracked to the big leagues as a potential prized reliever.
HIGH SCHOOL
- Matthew Liberatore, LHP (Mountain Ridge, AZ)
More of a complete pitcher than a thrower, Liberatore is somewhat of a rarity in MLB Draft circles. 18 years old, standing 6'5, with an already developing, though projectable frame, he has a presence on the mound that is Major League-like already.
While many pitchers at the prep level focus on featuring their fastball, throwing it as hard as possible, Liberatore doesn't strain himself to rear back for velocity, mostly staying in the low 90's. What puts him at the top of the pack is his advanced feel for his secondary pitches, which includes a curveball, changeup, and recently featured slider.
The Arizona-commit may bet the most complete pitcher in the draft, while also maintaining a decent amount of untapped potential. He's no stranger to performing on the big stage against quality competition, as he earned the win for the USA 18-U (18 and under) team in the gold medal game against Korea last summer, pitching six shoutout innings.
While many pitchers at the prep level focus on featuring their fastball, throwing it as hard as possible, Liberatore doesn't strain himself to rear back for velocity, mostly staying in the low 90's. What puts him at the top of the pack is his advanced feel for his secondary pitches, which includes a curveball, changeup, and recently featured slider.
The Arizona-commit may bet the most complete pitcher in the draft, while also maintaining a decent amount of untapped potential. He's no stranger to performing on the big stage against quality competition, as he earned the win for the USA 18-U (18 and under) team in the gold medal game against Korea last summer, pitching six shoutout innings.
- Ryan Weathers, LHP (Loretto, TN)
The son of former Major League pitcher David Weathers, the southpaw has a commanding presence on the mound, similar to his father. Committed to college powerhouse Vanderbilt, it remains to be seen if he decides to follow through and attend college.
Weathers has an arsenal that is suited to be a future starter in the majors with a fastball, changeup, and curveball — all which he shows solid command of. His fastball comes in at about 92-93 mph currently and will occasionally max out at 95 mph. It's his curveball which shows the potential of a true weapon to work with.
He raised his profile on the radar of scouts last season after striking out 12 in a shoutout of the state championship before continuing his dominance and not allowing any runs while pitching for the gold medal USA 18-U team in the summer.
Weathers has an arsenal that is suited to be a future starter in the majors with a fastball, changeup, and curveball — all which he shows solid command of. His fastball comes in at about 92-93 mph currently and will occasionally max out at 95 mph. It's his curveball which shows the potential of a true weapon to work with.
He raised his profile on the radar of scouts last season after striking out 12 in a shoutout of the state championship before continuing his dominance and not allowing any runs while pitching for the gold medal USA 18-U team in the summer.
- Carter Stewart, RHP (Eau Gallie, FL)
Coming off a strong summer where he performed well on the national scene against top competition, Stewart placed his name amongst those to watch entering 2018. At 6'6 with long legs and a still-developing body, he's improved his velocity from last season to this one, now reaching up to 98 mph and effortlessly throwing into the mid 90's.
A Mississippi State commit, Stewart possess one of the best pitches in the draft, regardless of age, with a curveball that has excellent spin on it and is all the more effective when considering the extension he gets on his pitches. With a physical makeup that projects to mature over the next few years and an already decent feel for a third pitch, in a changeup, Stewart has as great of potential as any pitcher in the draft.
No high school right-handed pitcher has gone first overall in the history of the MLB Draft. Stewart has a legitimate chance to change that.
A Mississippi State commit, Stewart possess one of the best pitches in the draft, regardless of age, with a curveball that has excellent spin on it and is all the more effective when considering the extension he gets on his pitches. With a physical makeup that projects to mature over the next few years and an already decent feel for a third pitch, in a changeup, Stewart has as great of potential as any pitcher in the draft.
No high school right-handed pitcher has gone first overall in the history of the MLB Draft. Stewart has a legitimate chance to change that.
- Kumar Rocker, RHP (North Oconee, GA)
Currently listed at 6'5, 250-pounds with above-average athleticism, it'd be easy to mistake Rocker for a professional football player rather than a pitcher in high school. His naturally solid build and skills can be attributed to his father, Tracy, who played in the NFL as a defensive lineman.
The younger Rocker — who also played football in high school — has a different career path that may very well see him surpass the success his father experienced professionally. Combining superior size with a quick arm, the big right-hander easily reaches into the mid 90's with his fastball that has natural movement, which he controls well.
Rocker has the makings of a solid collection of pitches, highlighted by what has the potential to be a wipeout slider. Having been on the radar of scouts for over a year, some other names at the high school level may have possibly gained more interest of late, but the Vanderbilt-commit is one who they are well-familiarized with.
The younger Rocker — who also played football in high school — has a different career path that may very well see him surpass the success his father experienced professionally. Combining superior size with a quick arm, the big right-hander easily reaches into the mid 90's with his fastball that has natural movement, which he controls well.
Rocker has the makings of a solid collection of pitches, highlighted by what has the potential to be a wipeout slider. Having been on the radar of scouts for over a year, some other names at the high school level may have possibly gained more interest of late, but the Vanderbilt-commit is one who they are well-familiarized with.
- Cole Wilcox, RHP (Heritage, GA)
Of the three top prep arms from the state of Georgia, Wilcox was the least distinguished entering the 2018 season, behind Rocker and Ethan Hankins. However, that was in-large part due to a lack of exposure, with Wilcox also playing basketball and football throughout high school. Now that he is on the radar of scouts, that natural athleticism which allowed him to compete in three different sports is coveted by Major League teams, who often seek natural athletes when scouting pitchers.
Wilcox already features a three pitch mix, with a fastball that lives in the low-to-mid 90's with sinking action to it. His best secondary pitch is a changeup that he throws well off of his fastball and fades late upon arrival.
The 6'5, 220-pound athlete's profile was only elevated when he went toe-to-toe against Rocker last week in the Georgia state tournament. He earned the victory, pitching seven full innings (regulation for high school) and allowing only one earned run on three hits, striking out eight batters. Oh, by the way, he hit a home run off Rocker too.
Wilcox already features a three pitch mix, with a fastball that lives in the low-to-mid 90's with sinking action to it. His best secondary pitch is a changeup that he throws well off of his fastball and fades late upon arrival.
The 6'5, 220-pound athlete's profile was only elevated when he went toe-to-toe against Rocker last week in the Georgia state tournament. He earned the victory, pitching seven full innings (regulation for high school) and allowing only one earned run on three hits, striking out eight batters. Oh, by the way, he hit a home run off Rocker too.
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