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Physical Description: Strong,
sturdy frame with little remaining projection. Durable, 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 medium leg kick. Short arm circle behind
with recoil after he comes through. Gets solid extension and
repeats his delivery well.
Fastball:
94-96 mph. Tops out at 99 mph. Velocity has steadily increased
since he joined the Red Sox. Velocity will drop off some as he
works deeper into games, but not as much as it used to. Pitch
shows natural cut, as well as some carry and ride when up.
Average fastball shape. Straightens up and is hittable when
thrown down in the zone, where he struggles to consistently miss
bats with it. Solid control, but command grades as average.
Potential above-average offering if velocity gains stick.
Slider: 84-87 mph. Comes in 11-to-5 with
two-plane shape. More vertical than horizontal. Will flash depth
and bite at times and bat-missing ability against hitters from
both sides of the plate, but is used more against right-handers
than left-handers. Potential above-average offering.
Curveball: 80-83 mph. Throws two variations, a
sweeper and more traditional curveball. Sweeper has long,
horizontal break. Will flash some depth on occasion, but is more
horizontal than vertical. Can run into his slider at times.
Began incorporating a true north-south breaking ball in 2025
with substantially more vertical depth. Potential average
offering.
Changeup: 89-92 mph. Started
the 2024 season throwing a true changeup at 85-88 mph, but as
the season went on, evolved into more of a low-spin,
splitter-like offering. Pitch shows late dive and falls off the
table at times, but is inconsistent both within outings and from
start to start. Flashes average potential. Uses primarily
against left-handed hitters. Potential average offering.
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Cutter:
89-91 mph. Short, horizontal movement. Change-of-pace pitch to
steal a strike against both hitters from both sides. Uses
sparingly in some outings and not at all in others. Potential
fringe-average offering.
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 the Yankees 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. Pitched in 2024 Spring Breakout game. Recalled for
his major league debut in September 2024. Began the 2025 season
in the MLB rotation due to injuries after showing improved
velocity and stuff during camp. Missed time in April/May 2025 on
the IL with a mild right pectoral strain.
Summation:
Potential back-end starter or multi-inning reliever. Ceiling of
a fourth starter. Has a starting pitcher's build as well as the
command and control profile and fastball traits you look for in
a starting pitching prospect. Now has a wide-ranging arsenal
with five unique pitches. Effort in delivery remains, and still
needs to find consistency with his secondary offerings beyond
his slider. Has done a good job maintaining and even building on
velocity. Breaking balls show bat-missing ability, and slider
projects as a major league-quality secondary pitch. New vertical
curveball gives him another north-south offering, which is key
because he needs to find a pitch to get left-handed hitters out
and limit damage in the air. Still needs to find consistency
with his changeup, which evolved during the 2024 season and was
thrown even harder in Spring Training 2025. Works hard and takes
well to instruction; always looking to improve.
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