The Los Angeles Dodgers have been tied to several pitchers in the weeks leading up to the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft, which begins Thursday.
That’s ranged from collegiate arms to potentially selecting players out of high school who may fall in the draft due to signability concerns.
Let’s take a look at another batch of college pitchers who might interest the Dodgers.
Eric Lauer, Kent State
Position: LHP
Ht/Wt: 6’3/190
B/T: Right/Left
DOB: 6/3/1995
The Dodgers have taken three college lefties in the first round in the last 10 years: Chris Reed (2011), Aaron Miller (2009), and James Adkins (2007). Only Reed pitched in the Majors, for all of two games.
However, that demographic shouldn’t dissuade the Dodgers from using one of their top picks on Kent State southpaw Eric Lauer. While he hasn’t faced the stiffest of competition during his career, Lauer has been one of the most dominant pitchers in college baseball over the past year.
He began by dominating the Cape Cod League, striking out 60 batters in 45.1 innings while posting a 1.97 ERA and making the postseason All-Star team. Lauer then went on the post a single-season record 0.69 ERA with Kent State this spring.
Lauer has a solid four-pitch mix, with each offering flashing average or better, but none standing out. His fastball can reach the mid-90s but generally sits at 90-92 mph. The pitch does feature good life and he can locate it well.
The rest of Lauer’s offerings range from average to above-average, though none are true swing-and-miss pitches. His arm action is a little long and he wraps his wrist, which can hamper his command. He does, however, throw strikes — walking just 25 batters in nearly 100 innings this year.
There are players in the class with more upside, but Lauer is one of the safer bets to reach the Majors and start. He could fit into any one of the Dodgers’ three top picks.
CONTINUE READING: Collegiate pitcher who’s likely fallen out of top 10
Robert Tyler, Georgia
Position: RHP
Ht/Wt: 6’4/225
B/T: Left/Right
DOB: 6/18/1995
One of the hardest throwers in the draft, Georgia right-hander Robert Tyler figures to go somewhere in the first round. After a down season, he’s likely fallen out of the top half of the first round, but still figures to hear his name called on the first day.
For the Bulldogs, Tyler immediately entered the rotation as a freshman and had a stellar first year, posting a 2.68 ERA in his inaugural campaign. He figured to be the team’s ace in his sophomore year, winning Georgia’s opener, but suffered a forearm strain early in the season and missed three months.
Tyler returned late in the season and pitched decently. This year, he’s struggled, posting a 4.10 ERA with 89 strikeouts and 46 walks in 74.2 innings. Tyler has an unconventional delivery.
He tilts his spine at release, leading to a high three-quarters delivery. While his arm action is relatively low maintenance, he does have command/control issues. His fastball is his calling card, sitting in the mid 90s as a starter and touching the upper 90s.
Tyler’s changeup is his go-to secondary offering, with enough velocity separation and tumble to deceive hitters. His curveball flashes average but generally breaks out of his hand softly.
A team with a good player development staff and track record improving pitchers should gamble on Tyler in the first round or two if he makes it that far. If starting doesn’t work out, he has the arm strength and two pitch mix to work out of the bullpen.
CONTINUE READING: Former Kansas City Royals selection
T.J. Zeuch, Pittsburgh
Position: RHP
Ht/Wt: 6’7/225
B/T: Right/Right
DOB: 8/1/1995
Like Justin Dunn, Zeuch has been mocked to the Dodgers by both ESPN’s Keith Law and MLB’s Jonathan Mayo. They also played a series against one another, once pitching in the same game (Zeuch starting and Dunn appearing in relief).
Zeuch, whose last name is pronounced “Zoyk,” was drafted out of high school in the 31st round by the Kansas City Royals three years ago. He began his career splitting time between the rotation and bullpen, making nine starts and six relief appearances as a freshman, but entrenched himself in the rotation in his sophomore campaign.
He pitched 88.1 innings in 2015, striking out 90 and walking 25. This year, he’s made 10 starts, throwing 69.2 innings while striking out 74 and posting a 3.10 ERA. He’s also faced some pretty stiff competition, pitching against five nationally ranked programs.
The first thing you notice about Zeuch is his height. He’s 6’7 with an athletic build and could fill out as he matures. His calling card is his fastball, which he throws in the low-to-mid 90s. Zeuch throws both a four-seamer and two-seamer, with the latter featuring heavy, late life.
He throws plenty of strikes but could do a better job of commanding the pitch. The rest of Zeuch’s arsenal is mediocre. He throws a curveball, slider and changeup, with only the former flashing signs of above-average potential.
The curve and slider tend to break out of his hand and roll off the table, lacking depth and bite. The changeup is pretty close to his two-seamer in movement, but there’s a decent amount of velocity separation between the offerings.
Zeuch has a simple delivery for a pitcher his size and has walked 19 batters in 69.2 innings this year. If you’re drafting him, you’re buying the arm strength, ability to throw strikes and hoping to develop a secondary pitch that’s better than average.
That’s a lot to ask of a first-rounder and he’d make more sense being taken in the second round, though if the Dodgers pass on him at No. 36 it’s unlikely he lasts until No. 65. However, if you’re spending nearly $2 million on a prospect, you’d expect a little more present ability.
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