- Full name Gabriel Michael Shepard
- Born 03/26/1999 in Mobile, AL
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Southern Mississippi
Top Rankings
Draft Prospects
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Shepard was a draft-eligible sophomore in 2020 who scouts were interested in thanks to a fast arm and fastball that can get up into the 97 mph range, but he’s battled significant control issues and injuries going back to his days in high school. He missed the end of his senior season with Tommy John surgery and this spring he pitched in just three games before getting hurt again and missing the season. Because of that there’s significant risk with Shepard, who is listed at 5-foot-10, 210 pounds. Shepard has also thrown a hard, mid-80s slider that could give him the two-pitch combination to find success in a bullpen role but there are plenty of questions. -
Shepard helped lead Mobile, Ala.’s Faith Academy to a 5A state title as a senior, although he missed the end of the season with Tommy John surgery. Shepard made an immediate impact for the Eagles with a strong finish to his freshman season once he was freed from pitch limits as he worked back from the surgery. Shepard threw 7.1 innings of a combined no-hitter against Rice while going 3-0, 2.35 in 30.2 innings. As a draft-eligible sophomore, Shephard’s control took a big step backward, something he also battled during fall ball. He didn’t make it out of the third inning in two of his three starts. Shepard has a fast arm and can touch 97 mph, although he generally sits 91-95. He mixes in a slider, change and cutter, but none of three is better than average. A short (5-foot-10) righty, Shepard will have to prove he can remain a starter, as some see his velocity and control issues and expect him to eventually move to the bullpen.
