What the future looks like for Jack Leiter
We’re excited to disclose MLB Pipeline’s 2023 Top 100 Prospects listing at present at 7 p.m. ET in a one-hour particular on MLB Network and MLB.com. We’ll have all of the scouting studies on-line and a deluge of associated content material over the following a number of days.
Now it is on to the organizational Top 30 lists. But first, let’s reply a few of your questions.
Does Jack Leiter nonetheless have the ceiling (as an instance a #2) that many thought he would when getting drafted? Is there much less of an opportunity he reaches that now after seeing struggles together with his command? — @KjonesPHX
Leiter was sensational in his one full season at Vanderbilt: no-hitting South Carolina in his first Southeastern Conference begin, holding Missouri hitless for seven innings earlier than departing in his second, sharing the NCAA Division I strikeout lead (179 in 110 innings) and pitching the Commodores to inside a victory of their second straight College World Series championship. But the No. 2 general decide within the 2022 Draft was removed from spectacular in his professional debut, going 3-10 with a 5.54 ERA, .246 opponents’ common and 109/56 Ok/BB ratio in 92 2/3 Double-A innings.
Breaking into professional ball on the Double-A stage is a tough process, so Leiter deserves some slack, and he positively nonetheless can grow to be a No. 2 or 3 starter if he could make some changes. His 93-98 mph fastball performed as an elite pitch with great using life and induced vertical break in school, however its metrics dipped and he did not constantly find it up within the zone like he wanted to final 12 months. His upper-70s curveball misplaced a little bit of energy, whereas his management and command — by no means his robust fits — additionally regressed.
To attain his ceiling, Leiter should get extra constant together with his supply, throw extra strikes and dwell up within the zone extra typically together with his fastball. He does include extra danger now than he did going into the 2022 season, however his intelligence and work ethic ought to assist him as he tries to make the required enhancements. One optimistic signal from final 12 months was that he added velocity and depth to his slider, which now parks within the mid-80s and touches 92 mph.
Who is your decide to be the breakout prospect from the 2022 Draft class this season? — @patrickhd52
I did not should suppose exhausting about this one. It’s right-hander Cade Horton, who went seventh general to the Cubs after getting back from Tommy John surgical procedure and dominating the NCAA postseason whereas main Oklahoma to the College World Series finals.
Horton opened final spring because the Sooners’ beginning third baseman and did not pitch till March 29. It took him a few months to get into gear on the mound, however as soon as he did, he overmatched hitters with a 94-98 mph fastball with run and carry, and a wipeout mid-80s slider that tops out at 90 mph and options two-plane depth. He must refine his changeup and his command, and the athleticism that made him a extremely coveted quarterback recruit ought to assist him accomplish these targets.
The Cubs pulled off the perfect strategic transfer within the 2022 Draft by taking Horton at No. 7, signing him for a below-slot $4.45 million and utilizing the financial savings to pay Florida highschool left-hander Jackson Ferris ($3,005,000) within the second spherical. That gave Chicago two potential frontline starters whom we might see on the Top 100 Prospects listing in some unspecified time in the future this 12 months.
Can you clarify your emotions on Brandon Pfaadt? He appears an exceptionally noteworthy lacking arm out of your listing. — @spencer_ogara
I consider Spencer is referring to the truth that Pfaadt did not make our Top 10 right-handed pitchers listing. That doesn’t suggest we do not like him, nor does it imply he will not issue prominently on the Top 100; if we had prolonged our rankings, he would have checked in at No. 12 amongst righties.
A fifth-round select of NCAA Division II Bellarmine (Ky.) in 2020, Pfaadt led the Minors with 218 strikeouts final season, the very best whole since Brandon Claussen fanned 220 batters in 2001. He can miss bats with a 92-96 mph fastball with carry, a sweeping low-80s slider and a mid-80s changeup with fade and sink. He additionally kilos the strike zone and appears like a mid-rotation starter for the D-backs.
How quick can Emmanuel Rodriguez fly up these ranks with an even bigger pattern dimension? (Assuming he performs effectively.) — @leviher70509380
Rodriguez slashed .272/.492/.551 with 9 homers, 11 steals and 57 walks in 47 video games whereas making his full-season debut final 12 months at age 19 in Single-A, however a torn proper meniscus ended what would have been a breakout season in June. He has the instruments and abilities to rank among the many easiest prospects in baseball if he can keep wholesome and hold acting at that stage.
Signed for $2.75 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2019, Rodriguez has the prospect to be a plus hitter with energy to match and eye-popping stroll totals. He’s a stable runner for now with an opportunity to stay in heart area, and he has the robust arm to suit properly in proper area if he slows down as he matures bodily.
