Mac
Lardner

8/13/19: Lardner was one of the better command arms on the Cape this summer, ripping off an eye-popping 0.94 BB/9 and 10.3 SO/BB (31 strikeouts and just three walks in 32 innings of work). The arsenal isn’t particularly loud, but Lardner’s ability to manipulate his mid-to-upper-70s curve while effectively spotting his 86-to-89 mph fastball and upper-70s changeup consistently kept bats off-balance throughout the summer. His fastball grades out as below-average for velocity but plays closer to average due to his ability to work the ball to both sides of the plate and tunnel the offering off of two quality secondaries. In fact, the fastball served as the “secondary” offering for practical purposes in my look, with his two-plane curve and circle change with solid arm-side fade leaned upon heavily – particularly as the start stretched on. There’s little margin for error due to the softer stuff but the southpaw’s ability to navigate his way through the Cape while missing bats and surrendering almost no walks – all while limiting hard contact – will hold the attention of evaluators come spring, making Lardner a potential Day Two senior sign.