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Physical Description: Ideal
pitcher's frame. Long limbs. Looks listed height and weight and
has some remaining projection. Very strong already; is
impressive in the weight room.
Mechanics:
Throws from a three-quarters slot, starting on the third base
side of the rubber. Low release height and gets good extension
to the plate. Substantial effort in delivery. High leg kick.
Long arm action with some deception behind. Very quick arm. Head
whack and harsh recoil.
Fastball: 96-99
mph. Tops out at 100 mph. Easy velocity, but on the straight
side with fringy characteristics. Plays below its velocity and
does not miss as many bats as you would expect. Command and
control are works in progress. Potential plus offering.
Slider: 87-90 mph. Has shown considerable
bat-missing ability in the low minors. At its best has tight,
2-to-8 shape. Can really snap off with tight rotation at its
best. Has trouble landing in the zone in some outings. Potential
plus-to-better offering with improved consistency.
Sweeper: 81-85 mph. Long, horizontal break.
More of a pitch that he is looking for whiffs on than one he can
consistently land in the zone. Potential fringe-average
offering.
Changeup: 87-89 mph. Looks
like a fastball he took something off of. On the firm side with
inconsistent shape. Tends to slow down his arm and telegraph the
pitch. On occasion, shows some drop. Work in progress and has
used sparingly in 2025. Potential below-average offering.
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Career Notes: Grew up a Red
Sox fan. Had Tommy John surgery in 2019 in high school. Was
highly regarded as a high schooler in Virginia. Originally
attended Alabama, but missed his freshman spring after
undergoing surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. Transferred to
State College of Florida and missed much of his first season
there due to a stress fracture in his shoulder. Impressed at the
MLB Draft Combine. Was committed to transfer to South Carolina
when he signed. Pitched in the 2025 Spring Breakout game. Began
2025 in Low-A Salem, perhaps in part due to the pitching depth
in the system pushing several pitchers to lower levels than
where they otherwise may have started, but was promoted to
Greenville after three dominant starts to begin his career.
Entered the back end of the Baseball America Top 100 list in May
2025.
Summation: Potential high-end
multi-inning leverage reliever. Ceiling of an occasional
all-star and number two or three starter. Very intriguing
left-hander who has the frame and velocity that allow you to
dream on his considerable upside working in the Red Sox pitching
development program. Projections on his long-term future are
divided with some evaluators seeing a potential impact starter
and others a potential impact reliever. Will be developed as a
starter initially, and in that role needs to develop a
consistent third pitch. Slider has improved considerably since
he signed and is now seen as a potential weapon with substantial
bat-missing ability. High floor as fastball/slider combination
could easily play in a bullpen role. Needs to develop a complete
arsenal and improve his fastball command to stick as a starter
long-term.
Note: This page will be
updated with a complete scouting report after the scouting team
has seen the player in regular season game action.
Links
Red Sox select Brandon Clarke with fifth-round pick (7.15.24)
Spring Training Video (3.14.25)
Spring Training Video (3.20.2025)
Scouting Report Update (4.16.25) |
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