RHP Kyle Wright (Vanderbilt): 6'4", 220 lbs, born 10/2/1995.
Overview
Fastball: 60. Curveball: 60. Slider: 55. Changeup: 55. Command: 50.
Kyle Wright is a high-upside college pitcher with a proven track record in the SEC. That sentence right there is music to a team's ears, and that team could very well be the Minnesota Twins, who have the first overall pick. Hunter Greene has long been thought of as the top prospect in this draft class, and Brendan McKay spent much of the spring as the favorite to go first overall, but lately, Kyle Wright has emerged as the most likely selection for the Twins. With a full arsenal, a projectable frame, and the reduced risk that comes with college arms versus prep arms, it's no wonder. I wrote glowingly about Texas high schooler Shane Baz, and Wright is essentially a more advanced Baz with considerably less risk. Slow start to the season aside, the Twins would not be wrong to take the Vanderbilt right hander first overall.
Strengths
Wright works off a low to mid 90's fastball that can reach 96-97 in short bursts and still sit comfortably in the 93-94 range deep into starts. He compliments it with an excellent curveball, one which comes in with 11-5 break that is nearly impossible to square up when located well. His cutter-slider comes in in the mid 80's and can saw off bats. His changeup is making progress, too, giving him the potential for three plus pitches and a fourth above average. This has all worked for him at Vanderbilt, where he has struck out 282 batters in 248.2 innings over his three years, allowing just 192 hits. This season, he has a 2.98 ERA to go along with 113 strikeouts and just 74 hits allowed in 96.2 innings in college baseball's toughest conference. Standing 6'4" with a projectable frame even as a 21 year old college junior, Wright has the highest upside of any college player in this draft, with ace potential.
Weaknesses
As exciting as Wright's total package is, there are some reasons to pause. He stumbled out of the gate this season, struggling to command his fastball and getting hit hard when he fell behind in counts. He has "wrighted" the ship over the season's latter two thirds, but still, the overall numbers (see strengths, plus 28 walks) aren't quite as dominating as a team looking to take him in the first couple of picks might have hoped for, especially for a right hander. He has a lower floor than other college arms like Brendan McKay and David Peterson. However, if you're comfortable with great-not-excellent numbers and that early season blip, he still profiles well as a first overall pick.
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