Zach Swanson Stats & Scouting Report

Top Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Extreme.

Track Record: Drafting 11th overall in 2024, and with an additional competitive balance pick, gave the Tigers a chance to spread significant money throughout their class. Swanson lasted to the ninth round, but he signed for third-round money with a $722,500 bonus that was fourth-most in the Tigers’ 2024 draft class. He had been committed to play at Oregon State.

Scouting Report: After an impressive 2023 summer on the showcase circuit, Swanson got off to a slow start in his senior year as he was coming off playing guard on his school’s basketball team—where he earned all-conference honors. He’s struggled with his control at times, but he has a big arm with a 91-95 mph fastball that has the potential to be an above-average pitch. His slider likewise flashes above-average potential in the low 80s with high spin rates in the 2,600-2,800 rpm range and frisbee-like sweeping shape at its best. He has a mid-80s straight change that needs more work. His delivery is effortful and may force an eventual move to the bullpen, but those questions are years away.

The Future: As a Northwest pitcher who played multiple sports, Swanson will likely need some patience, but there’s significant potential. He’ll make his official pro debut in 2025, with his spring training helping determine whether he heads to Low-A Lakeland or the Florida Complex League.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45.

School: Toutle Lake (Wash.) HS Commit/Drafted: Oregon State
Age At Draft: 18.8
BA Grade: 45/Extreme
Tools: Fastball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 40. Control: 45.

The Pacific Northwest has been something of a powerhouse in recent years when it comes to producing prep pitchers. Swanson is next in a line that has recently included players like Noble Meyer, Mick Abel and JR Ritchie. Swanson is a 6-foot-3, 195-pound righthander who has a power arsenal and was a consistent performer throughout the 2023 showcase circuit. He sits in the 91-95 mph range with a high-spin fastball that looks like an above-average offering and has ripped off an above-average slider in the low 80s that also has high spin rates in the 2,600-2,800 rpm range. The slider generates whiffs against righties and lefties and is thrown with frisbee-like sweeping shape at its best. He has also mixed in an occasional straight changeup at 84-87. While Swanson posted consistently on the circuit, scouts noted that his control was a question mark during his spring season with Toutle Lake High and some scouts think his high-effort delivery will push him into a reliever role in the future. Swanson is committed to Oregon State.

School: Toutle Lake (Wash.) HS Committed: Oregon State
Age At Draft: 18.9
The Pacific Northwest has been something of a powerhouse in recent years when it comes to producing prep pitchers, and Swanson is next in a line that has recently included players like Noble Meyer, Mick Abel and JR Ritchie. Swanson is a 6-foot-3, 195-pound righthander who has a power arsenal and was a consistent performer throughout the 2023 showcase circuit. He sits in the 91-95 mph range with a high0spin fastball that looks like a plus offering with more command and has ripped off an above-average slider in the low 80s that also has high spin rates in the 2,600-2,800 rpm range. The slider generates whiffs against righties and lefties and is thrown with frisbee-like sweeping shape at its best. He has also mixed in an occasional straight changeup at 84-87. Swanson is committed to Oregon State.