Best of the Cape: Ranking the Right-Handed Pitchers Nos. 16-25
September 7, 2018
After the release of our Top 2019 draft eligible Cape Cod Pitchers and Position Players, we now take a deeper look at the loads of talent the league boasted this summer. Today we rank the right-handed pitchers, which includes prospects from both the 2019 & 2020 draft classes.
25. Garrett Stallings, 2019 (Tennessee)
Upper-80s sinker-baller who mixes in a slider and a change-up. Made three starts throwing 18 innings with 21 strikeouts this summer. During the spring of 2018 showed a drop-and-drive delivery with effort from a three-quarter slot. Touched 90 mph early with his fastball, but settled in at 87-88 with his sinker. Mixed in a 81-84 mph slider and a 78-81 changeup.
Upper-80s sinker-baller who mixes in a slider and a change-up. Made three starts throwing 18 innings with 21 strikeouts this summer. During the spring of 2018 showed a drop-and-drive delivery with effort from a three-quarter slot. Touched 90 mph early with his fastball, but settled in at 87-88 with his sinker. Mixed in a 81-84 mph slider and a 78-81 changeup.
24. John McMillon, 2019 (Texas Tech)
Tall, strong-bodied Texan with a big arm and good athleticism. At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds and using a full arm path, he brought a mid-90s fastball from a high, power slot. Despite lessened effort and improved direction in his delivery from his high school days in Jasper, Texas, McMillon is still more thrower than pitcher. He was highly inconsistent with his release point, causing him to scatter his 91-95 mph fastball. It was very true in the zone, but did show some ride when up. Manipulating the baseball did not come easy as his secondary pitches all showed below average; 74 mph curveball lacked depth, mostly flat 77-80 mph slider, limited feel for 85 mph changeup. Hitters eliminated every pitch except the fastball and sat on it. Was hit hard, allowing eight runs on four hits and four walks in one-plus inning; 53 pitches, 21 for strikes. Compounding the tough day, he was long to the plate (1.5 seconds) and didn’t hold runners well; allowed three stolen bases. Despite the tough day on the bump, McMillon continued to compete. Texas Tech is a player development machine and it would not be surprising to see McMillon develop a useable slider to go along with his mid-90s velo. The development of a secondary pitch and his overall control will determine how high he is selected in 2019.
Tall, strong-bodied Texan with a big arm and good athleticism. At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds and using a full arm path, he brought a mid-90s fastball from a high, power slot. Despite lessened effort and improved direction in his delivery from his high school days in Jasper, Texas, McMillon is still more thrower than pitcher. He was highly inconsistent with his release point, causing him to scatter his 91-95 mph fastball. It was very true in the zone, but did show some ride when up. Manipulating the baseball did not come easy as his secondary pitches all showed below average; 74 mph curveball lacked depth, mostly flat 77-80 mph slider, limited feel for 85 mph changeup. Hitters eliminated every pitch except the fastball and sat on it. Was hit hard, allowing eight runs on four hits and four walks in one-plus inning; 53 pitches, 21 for strikes. Compounding the tough day, he was long to the plate (1.5 seconds) and didn’t hold runners well; allowed three stolen bases. Despite the tough day on the bump, McMillon continued to compete. Texas Tech is a player development machine and it would not be surprising to see McMillon develop a useable slider to go along with his mid-90s velo. The development of a secondary pitch and his overall control will determine how high he is selected in 2019.
23. Jack Little, 2019 (Stanford)
Aggressive, strong bodied reliever with a drop and very little drive delivery. Not much backside fire to his finish. Separates his hands low, near his back knee (similar to ex-MLer Kevin Appier)...
nos. 16-22