Travis Sykora

School: Round Rock (Texas) HS Source: HS

Commit/Drafted: Texas
Age At Draft: 19.2
BA Grade:55/Extreme
Tools:Fastball: 70. Slider: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 50.

It’s almost a given that the state of Texas will annually produce a physical and hard-throwing righthanded pitcher. The 2023 version of that pitcher is Sykora, who possesses the hardest-thrown fastball in the high school class and stands at 6-foot-6, 220 pounds. Sykora is an athletic mover on the mound who has a simple delivery and throws from a three-quarter slot with a tick of head whack and recoil. In shorter outings during the 2022 showcase circuit, Sykora pitched in the upper 90s and has already touched 101 mph. The pitch has hard running life at times but has overwhelmed prep hitters on pure velocity alone. Sykora’s secondaries include a mid-80s slider and a mid-80s split-changeup. Both are pitches that need continued development but have flashed some promise at times. The slider is a short-breaking pitch that doesn’t have elite spin or movement, but he throws it firmly in the upper 80s at times. His split-change features solid tumble, but like the slider doesn’t stand out for exceptional movement overall, and is instead best when he’s able to spot it at the bottom of the zone. Like most hard-throwing prepsters, Sykora’s control is inconsistent and he’ll need to learn to be more precise with his power at the next level. He’s old for the class and will be 19 on draft day. Sykora is committed to Texas and would be a solid infielder and hitting prospect as well if he didn’t throw 100 mph.