The Los Angeles Dodgers selected right-handed prep pitcher Peter Heubeck out of Gilman School in Baltimore, Maryland, in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft. The pick was No. 101 overall and the Dodgers’ next selection after taking Maddux Bruns in the first round.
L.A. forfeited their second-round pick in order to sign Trevor Bauer, who had declined a qualifying offer from the Cincinnati Reds during free agency.
After making Bruns the first high-school left-handed pitcher drafted by the Dodgers in the first round since Clayton Kershaw was taken seventh overall in 2006, the team has now used their first two picks on high school pitchers for the first time since doing so in 2010 with Zach Lee and Ralston Cash.
Tapping into the high school ranks with their early 2021 draft picks can be traced to the Dodgers having more familiarity with that group of talent. “In some ways it was more comfortable because we had last summer, where most college guys didn’t play or pitch,” Dodgers director of amateur scouting Billy Gasparino said Sunday night.
“Listen, February 1, we weren’t even sure what states would be playing or who would be out. To get a normal season and coverage that happened, we were really excited about. So it definitely felt normal. I think the high school crop maybe had a little bit of and advantage going into spring because they did get to play last summer.”
Heubeck scouting report
Heubeck’s velocity is in the low 90s, but he has flashed impressive spin rates and averaged 2540 rpm during the Area Code Games. Heubeck’s curveball is in the range of 78-80 mph and averaged -17.28 inches of induced vertical break.
The right-hander projects as a starter and could add more velocity to his fastball with added strength and weight.
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