Born: January 26, 1996
Oak Lawn, IL
Height: 6-1
Weight: 205
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Drafted: Not drafted
How Acquired: Undrafted free agent (June 2018)
College: Maryland
High School: Brother Rice (IL)

Photo © Kelly O'Connor

Relased (April 2021)

Physical Description: Solid frame with filled-out lower half. Has potential to add strength to his upper body. Has the frame to work deep into games, especially now that he relies on the low-effort knuckleball; was allowed to top 100 pitches in Low A in 2019, a rarity for the level.

Mechanics: Has changed mechanics since converting to the knuckleball. Now throws exclusively from the stretch. Starts with glove high, then is quick to the plate. Reminiscent of Tim Wakefield. Excellent pickoff move for a right-hander, a necessity to keep baserunners honest.

Knuckleball: 68-75 mph. Mixed the pitch into a four-pitch mix when signed, but now throws the pitch about 80 percent of the time. Pitch will show some wiggle and short, late drop at times. Difficult to truly evaluate the pitch against low minors hitters who likely have never faced a true knuckleballer. Command/control of the pitch are inconsistent.

Fastball: 84-87 mph. Used to sit 89-91, topping out at 92, with his old mechanics and pitch mix. Now mixes in the pitch to keep hitters honest. Velocity will play up given separation from knuckleball, but still quite hittable.

Cutter: 80-83 mph. Not much movement. Looks like a fastball he took something off of.

Career Notes: A first baseman in college through his junior year, pitched a bit the summer before his senior season and became a reliever in addition to being Maryland’s starting first baseman his final collegiate season. Worked in relief with a four-pitch mix his first season after signing. Became a starter/long reliever in 2019 while primarily throwing the knuckleball. Participated in 2019 Fall Instructional League.

Summation: Presently profiles as a low minors depth arm who can eat innings, but transition to being a knuckleballer makes him difficult to project. Faces unique development challenges as a knuckleballer. Will be difficult to evaluate until he faces upper minors hitters who will not be thrown off by facing a knuckleballer.