TN Top Profiles of 2021: No. 13 Joe King

12/19/20
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Vandy commit southpaw looked sharp in his bullpen with Nashville Stars Scout Team.  Improved present strength after growing two inches and adding ten pounds of mass to frame with powerful lower half.  Same quiet, repeatable delivery that's slightly up tempo with more controlled sequencing while working down the slope. Effort in the delivery but quick arm working up to a H 3/4 slot pounding the zone with three pitch mix.  FB jumped out of the hand at sitting 88-91, T92 (1987-2128 rpm) with late, arm side life. Threw with intent and attacked both sides of the plate, locating well.  Showed sharp SL at 76-78 (2218-2343 rpm) with 2/8 action that would sit in the zone then bottom out late.  SL creates a difficult tunnel off dashing FB, which he can land for strikes or execute a chase offering.  King's CH has made great strides showing more feel and getting more action at 78-80 mph. His running FB elevated spin rate creates more horizontal 2 seam action and less sink, and his CH is similar with spin rates at 2017-2048 rpm.  The number two prospect in the '22 class has a wicked three pitch mix from the left side that is tough to handle and should put him on some draft boards in summer 2022. 

9/10/20
LHP Joe King (Ezell-Harding; Vanderbilt commit) jumps over a hundred spots to settle at 121 overall after reports of the 19' Future Gamer running his FB into the low 90s and sharpening his breaking ball. King was a staple last summer with a great imposing frame and lightning quick arm.  After more development this off-season at Parker Sports Performance, King has made the next jump in development with improved velo on all his offerings.  The FB is getting into the low 90 and the breaking ball is sitting in the upper 70s. 

7/31/19
Max FB: 85 FB: 83-85 CB: 70-72 CH: 70-71
The 6-foot, 185-pound 2022 left hander threw two innings in relief in Game 2 vs Missouri.  King continued to show off his quick arm w/ quiet repeatable delivery.  Fastball worked 83-85 (Max Spin: 1905 AVG: 1671) comes out of the hand clean w/ some arm side fade.  Utilized tight spinning breaking ball at 70-72 (Max Spin: 2073 AVG: 1884) w/ late depth.  King also showed a changeup at 70-71 w/ good hand speed.  Profile projects as a top tier LHP among 2022 class w/ clean arm and intriguing skill set.  

6/11/19
Max FB: 86 FB: 84-86 CB: 67-69
The 6’0 185-pound King is a rising 2022 southpaw prospect with a high 3/4 quick arm and simple stroke.  His fastball plays at 84-86 heavy arm side run and life, which especially bear downs on LHH.  The fastball pairs well with a sharp 67-69 mph 1/7 curveball with good shape.  Tendency to miss glove side with fastball and breaking ball, but was fairly strike efficient with both offerings.  He struck out 3 in 2 innings of work.