Another two-way collegiate prospect, King unorthodox delivery features the ever-coveted low release height and higher slot which allows him to procure a significant number of whiffs. After a deep postseason run that saw him rack up lots of innings throughout the spring, King’s velocity never made the “summer jump”, but it hardly held him back from showcasing a quick left arm that holds real feel for spin. The 6-foot-4, 190-pounder who will not turn 18 until after the draft held his steady low 90s throughout the summer while showcasing innate feel for a vicious curveball that rips off with nearly 3000 rpm. A dynamic athlete whose full attention on the mound might yield major returns in coming years, there is some similarity to 2022 LHP Paul Wilson (3rd round, Tigers) although with much better feel for the breaking ball.

King showcased the most unique pitching profile at the event. Lean and wiry at 6-foot-4, 190-pounds with significant room to continue filling out, the athletic southpaw moved exceptionally well down the mound allowing his whippy arm to work quickly out front. Down a bit (like most of the arms) velocity wise than in previous looks from PBR, he sat 89-91 (2300) in an initial 2-inning stint that saw him strikeout two and walk three without yielding a hit. Stacking before driving firmly down the mound, the fastball garnered whiffs from two noticeably different slots, and it is easy to envision a considerable jump coming in the near future. The slot changes varied depending on pitch, and likely disrupted the usual command that he enjoys, but also provided the look of an uber-athletic pitcher with the potential to make quick adjustments and advancements. Regardless of the slot, the arm speed stood out, and his ability to collect whiffs in the zone in hitter’s counts is likely to garner significant interest along with a ceiling that appears to be one of the highest in the class. The curveball (77-78, 2500+) was also less consistent, but showcased tighter spin with the makings of a swing-and-miss offering. There was intent to the way that he ripped it off, and it was obvious that he holds plenty of confidence in the pitch with aptitude to manipulate its shape. Regardless of the results, King possesses electric upside, and combined with the fact that he will only be 17 on draft day, look for his rise to continue over the next year as one of the premier arms in the class.