Will Bednar

A strong, 6-foot-2, 210-pound righthander committed to Mississippi State, Bednar showed scouts a fastball that ranged from the upper 80s to low 90s last summer. This spring, he came out with improved velocity and reached the 95-96 mph range, cleaning up a delivery that previously featured some head whack and crossfiring action in his lower half. Bednar had previously struggled to consistently repeat his release point, although it sounds like he has started moving in the right direction to correct that this spring. Bednar throws two distinct breaking balls, a sweeping slider in the 78-81 mph range and an 11-to-5 curveball that has shape but needs more power to become a swing-and-miss pitch. Bednar also has a changeup that could develop into a fourth solid offering. Bednar has professional bloodlines as his older brother, David, is currently a pitching prospect with the Padres and has touched 100 mph with a similar build and frame as the younger Bednar.