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Physical Description: Strong,
sturdy frame with little remaining projection. Thicker lower
half. Has the build you look for in a starting pitcher.
Mechanics: Throws from a high three-quarters
arm slot. Has some effort in his delivery. Starts upright and
utilizes a pronounced leg kick. Arm circle behind with recoil
after he comes through. Gets good extension and repeats his
delivery well.
Fastball: 93-96 mph. Tops
out at 98 mph. Velocity has steadily increased through 2023 and
into 2024, but needs to show he can consistently hold this
velocity into the regular season. Pitch shows natural cut, as
well as carry and ride when up. Solid fastball shape and will
flash bat-missing ability up in the zone. Plus command and
control profile. Potential above-average offering if velocity
gains stick.
Slider: 84-88 mph. Shape
varies, but primarily slurvy with two-plane shape. Will flash
depth and bite at times. Spent 2023 tweaking the pitch to make
it more consistent. Will flash bat-missing ability against
hitters from both sides of the plate. Potential above-average
offering.
Changeup: 85-88 mph. Throws
sparingly and lacks feel. On the firm side with limited
movement. On occasion will show an average one with late
downward action. Pitch looked improved in Spring Training 2024. Potential fringe-average offering.
Cutter: High-80s. Short, horizontal movement.
Rarely thrown in outings scouted.
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Career
Notes: Pitched mostly in relief at Auburn, but
was still seen as a potential first-round pick entering his
draft year after a strong fall season. However, struggled that
spring with injuries and fell to the sixth round. 2023 Eastern
League Pitcher of the Year. Acquired from New York with Greg
Weissert and Nicholas Judice in exchange for Alex Verdugo in
December 2023. Participated in the Red Sox Rookie Development
Program in January 2024.
Summation:
Potential multi-inning depth arm. Ceiling of a back-end starter.
Has some traits you look for in a starting pitching prospect,
but effort in delivery and lack of a third pitch hint at the
bullpen being Fitts’ most likely destination. Stuff improved as
the 2023 season went on and has apparently improved further in 2024. Could be a
candidate to take a step forward working with the Red Sox' new development staff, as
he was tweaking his secondary pitches throughout 2023. Needs to
find a consistent third pitch and continue to refine his slider
to have a chance to stick in the rotation. Has a starter's
fastball with the command and control to work deep into games.
Needs to find a consistent pitch to get lefties out and limit
damage in the air. Finding more consistency with his changeup,
which was improved during spring training 2024, would go a long
way to alleviating concerns over platoon splits.
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