Tejay Antone

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #6 prospect in 2021
  Fastball: 55. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 55. Control: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: A high school teammate of Noah Syndergaard, Antone mixed 88-91 mph sinkers and cutters when the Reds drafted him out of Weatherford (Texas) JC. His development was slowed by Tommy John surgery in 2017, but his steady velocity improvement took a jump in 2020, when he proved a wonderful surprise with 2.80 ERA in 13 appearances for the Reds, including four starts.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Antone’s improved ability to load into his back leg, as well as other tweaks, helped him go from throwing 91-95 mph in 2019 to 94-98 mph in 2020 while also improving his command. His fastball is relatively straight, but the improved velocity helped him generate swings and misses up in the zone. His mid-80s slider is now a true plus pitch he throws as much as his fastball. It has tight, late tilt and is effective diving away from righties and in on lefties’ hands. His above-average, high-spin 78-82 mph curveball has a bigger, more vertical break than his slider and his 86-90 mph changeup with late drop flashes average. Antone throws strikes but doesn’t have a pitch that runs away from lefties, something he’ll need to earn a long-term rotation spot.
  
  THE FUTURE: Antone previously looked like an up-and-down starter. Now he’s at least a solid setup man and, if he can better handle lefties, he could be a useful starter.
• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #22 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: A 22nd-round pick of the Mets out of high school, Antone spent one year at Texas Christian before transferring to Weatherford (Texas) JC. The Reds picked him in the fifth round in 2014 and signed him for $308,400. Antone's ascent was interrupted by Tommy John surgery that cost him the entire 2017 season, but he steadily climbed the ladder after he returned and finished 2019 at Triple-A.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Antone is known for his competitive nature and pitchability. His fastball sits in the low 90s and tops out at 93 mph, but he consistently pours it into the strike zone to keep batters on the defensive. His main secondary is a curveball that has good shape and projects to be an average pitch. Antone can also spin a fringe-average slider to give hitters a different look, and his average changeup helps him to get hitters off his fastball and induce soft contact on the ground. His above-average control helps him survive despite the lack of a plus pitch.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Reds added Antone to their 40-man roster after the season. He is set to be starting rotation depth or a long man out of the bullpen.
• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #27 prospect in 2016
  Antone did not sign as a Mets 22nd-round pick in 2012 out of Legacy High in Mansfield, Texas, the same program that produced Noah Syndergaard in 2010. Antone headed to Texas Christian, transferred to Weatherford (Texas) JC and quickly proved to be a solid draft prospect. He is a ground-ball machine with downward plane and an advanced ability to command his fastball to the bottom half of the strike zone. Antone generated 26 double plays at low Class A Dayton in 2015, allowed just two home runs in 26 starts and recorded a 2.18 groundout-to-airout ratio that ranked 10th among qualified minor league starters. Antone can touch 94 mph, but he sits 89-91 to generate more sink on his two-seamer. Antone doesn't have a secondary offering that grades out as above-average. He can throw his below-average curveball for strikes, but it breaks quickly out of his hand and lacks depth. He struggles to stay on top of his well below-average changeup. Antone's delivery includes a significant hip turn as he gathers himself over the rubber, but he repeats it well and has advanced control and command for his age. He needs the challenge of a higher level--high Class A Daytona in 2016--that will force him to develop his curveball and changeup.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #237 prospect in 2014 draft
  Antone, a high-school teammate of Noah Syndergaard, spent one season at Texas Christian before transferring to Weatherford (Texas) JC for 2014. After seeing limited innings in relief for the Horned Frogs, he got a chance to start for Weatherford and excelled, posting a 2.88 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 84 innings. Antone has a nice, athletic 6-foot-4 frame and was up to 93-95 mph this spring. He leans on a cutter as his go-to secondary pitch and will throw it in any count. He'll also mix in a curveball and, on rare occasions, a changeup. His fastball command and mound presence also made noticeable improvements. He's committed to Auburn.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 55. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 55. Control: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: A high school teammate of Noah Syndergaard, Antone mixed 88-91 mph sinkers and cutters when the Reds drafted him out of Weatherford (Texas) JC. His development was slowed by Tommy John surgery in 2017, but his steady velocity improvement took a jump in 2020, when he proved a wonderful surprise with 2.80 ERA in 13 appearances for the Reds, including four starts.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Antone’s improved ability to load into his back leg, as well as other tweaks, helped him go from throwing 91-95 mph in 2019 to 94-98 mph in 2020 while also improving his command. His fastball is relatively straight, but the improved velocity helped him generate swings and misses up in the zone. His mid-80s slider is now a true plus pitch he throws as much as his fastball. It has tight, late tilt and is effective diving away from righties and in on lefties’ hands. His above-average, high-spin 78-82 mph curveball has a bigger, more vertical break than his slider and his 86-90 mph changeup with late drop flashes average. Antone throws strikes but doesn’t have a pitch that runs away from lefties, something he’ll need to earn a long-term rotation spot.
  
  THE FUTURE: Antone previously looked like an up-and-down starter. Now he’s at least a solid setup man and, if he can better handle lefties, he could be a useful starter.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 55. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 55. Control: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: A high school teammate of Noah Syndergaard, Antone mixed 88-91 mph sinkers and cutters when the Reds drafted him out of Weatherford (Texas) JC. His development was slowed by Tommy John surgery in 2017, but his steady velocity improvement took a jump in 2020, when he proved a wonderful surprise with 2.80 ERA in 13 appearances for the Reds, including four starts.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Antone’s improved ability to load into his back leg, as well as other tweaks, helped him go from throwing 91-95 mph in 2019 to 94-98 mph in 2020 while also improving his command. His fastball is relatively straight, but the improved velocity helped him generate swings and misses up in the zone. His mid-80s slider is now a true plus pitch he throws as much as his fastball. It has tight, late tilt and is effective diving away from righties and in on lefties’ hands. His above-average, high-spin 78-82 mph curveball has a bigger, more vertical break than his slider and his 86-90 mph changeup with late drop flashes average. Antone throws strikes but doesn’t have a pitch that runs away from lefties, something he’ll need to earn a long-term rotation spot.
  
  THE FUTURE: Antone previously looked like an up-and-down starter. Now he’s at least a solid setup man and, if he can better handle lefties, he could be a useful starter.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A 22nd-round pick of the Mets out of high school, Antone spent one year at Texas Christian before transferring to Weatherford (Texas) JC. The Reds picked him in the fifth round in 2014 and signed him for $308,400. Antone’s ascent was interrupted by Tommy John surgery that cost him the entire 2017 season, but he steadily climbed the ladder after he returned and finished 2019 at Triple-A.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Antone is known for his competitive nature and pitchability. His fastball sits in the low 90s and tops out at 93 mph, but he consistently pours it into the strike zone to keep batters on the defensive. His main secondary is a curveball that has good shape and projects to be an average pitch. Antone can also spin a fringe-average slider to give hitters a different look, and his average changeup helps him to get hitters off his fastball and induce soft contact on the ground. His above-average control helps him survive despite the lack of a plus pitch.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Reds added Antone to their 40-man roster after the season. He is set to be starting rotation depth or a long man out of the bullpen.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A 22nd-round pick of the Mets out of high school, Antone spent one year at Texas Christian before transferring to Weatherford (Texas) JC. The Reds picked him in the fifth round in 2014 and signed him for $308,400. Antone's ascent was interrupted by Tommy John surgery that cost him the entire 2017 season, but he steadily climbed the ladder after he returned and finished 2019 at Triple-A.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Antone is known for his competitive nature and pitchability. His fastball sits in the low 90s and tops out at 93 mph, but he consistently pours it into the strike zone to keep batters on the defensive. His main secondary is a curveball that has good shape and projects to be an average pitch. Antone can also spin a fringe-average slider to give hitters a different look, and his average changeup helps him to get hitters off his fastball and induce soft contact on the ground. His above-average control helps him survive despite the lack of a plus pitch.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Reds added Antone to their 40-man roster after the season. He is set to be starting rotation depth or a long man out of the bullpen.
• December, 2015 Scouting Report
  Antone did not sign as a Mets 22nd-round pick in 2012 out of Legacy High in Mansfield, Texas, the same program that produced Noah Syndergaard in 2010. Antone headed to Texas Christian, transferred to Weatherford (Texas) JC and quickly proved to be a solid draft prospect. He is a ground-ball machine with downward plane and an advanced ability to command his fastball to the bottom half of the strike zone. Antone generated 26 double plays at low Class A Dayton in 2015, allowed just two home runs in 26 starts and recorded a 2.18 groundout-to-airout ratio that ranked 10th among qualified minor league starters. Antone can touch 94 mph, but he sits 89-91 to generate more sink on his two-seamer. Antone doesn't have a secondary offering that grades out as above-average. He can throw his below-average curveball for strikes, but it breaks quickly out of his hand and lacks depth. He struggles to stay on top of his well below-average changeup. Antone's delivery includes a significant hip turn as he gathers himself over the rubber, but he repeats it well and has advanced control and command for his age. He needs the challenge of a higher level--high Class A Daytona in 2016--that will force him to develop his curveball and changeup.