George Klassen

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #217 prospect in 2023 draft
  School: Minnesota Source: 4YR
  
  Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
  Age At Draft: 21.5
  Klassen is one of the hardest throwers in the 2023 draft class and wowed scouts with his pure velocity in 2022 with Minnesota and during the summer in the Northwoods League, with a fastball that’s been above 100 mph at peak velocity. Klassen is still looking to refine his strike-throwing, though he managed a significant step forward in 2023 after walking a quarter of the batters he faced in a brief bullpen stint in 2022. He posted a 5.72 ERA in 56.2 innings, with an 18.6% strikeout rate and a 17.9% walk rate. Those numbers don’t give the 6-foot-2, 170-pound righthander credit for his arm talent, which is impressive. He averaged 97-98 mph on his fastball this spring, and touched 101 mph at peak velocity. Klassen threw the pitch for strikes less than 60% of the time, which limited its effectiveness, as could his moderate shape on the pitch. He also has a firm breaking ball in the mid 80s that has three-quarter shape and flashes an average look when he doesn’t leave it hanging, and he showcased a solid cutter in the upper 80s during the 2023 MLB Draft Combine which had short and hard glove-side movement. Klassen needs to improve his control and command across the board, and is a reliever-only prospect because of that, but his huge velocity provides an intriguing upside play.
• Ranked #263 prospect in 2020 draft
  Without a spring season to speak of, Klassen is more likely to make it to Minnesota. One of the best arms in a talented Wsiconsin high school class, Klassen has a fast arm, although there’s some effort involved, with a head whack. He’ll sit 90-93 mph with his fastball that shows solid late life. The 6-foot-2, 165-pounder has not fully grown into his frame--there’s some reason to think that he’ll be more consistent in his strike-throwing and lower the effort level in his delivery as he gets stronger. Klassen’s 77-82 mph curve has some power to it and solid bite, but like his fastball he needs to locate it more consistently. Klassen’s control is currently well below average but has room for improvement.