Bryce Cunningham Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Bryce Allen Cunningham
Born 12/20/2002 in Headland, AL
Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 234 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Vanderbilt
Drafted in the 2nd round (53rd overall) by the New York Yankees in 2024 (signed for $2,297,500).

View Draft Report

School: Vanderbilt
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.6
BA Grade: 50/High
Tools: Fastball: 55. Slider: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 50.

Cunningham split time as a starter and reliever during his first two seasons at Vanderbilt, but he pitched well in the Cape Cod League as a starter in 2023 and continued to thrive in the role during his 2024 draft season this spring. A 6-foot-5, 230-pound righthander, Cunningham pitched to a 4.36 ERA in 16 starts and 84.2 innings, though he had wonky home-road splits and was consistently better in Nashville than he was on the road. His arsenal starts with a power fastball that sits 94-95 mph and has been up to 99 in the past, but the pitch typically topped at 97 this spring. His fastball has above-average velocity and was his most consistent pitch for strikes. Cunningham also throws a mid-80s slider that was previously his best swing-and-miss offering, though the pitch was supplanted by an upper-80s changeup that was his most consistent offspeed weapon in 2024. His change features surprisingly high spin rates and tremendous armside movement that make it difficult to square up. His slider features tight two-plane break at times, but he’ll need to rein in his command and consistency to make the most of it. Cunningham has shown he can throw enough strikes to start, but he’ll need to continue refining his secondary command and start-to-start consistency in pro ball. He should be the first Vanderbilt pitcher off the board and seems like a safe day one selection.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.

Track Record: Cunningham’s final season at Vanderbilt put a cap on a stellar amateur career featuring three seasons with the Commodores and two stints in the Cape Cod League. He split his first two years in Nashville between starting and relieving before moving to the rotation full-time in 2024. Over 84.2 innings, he struck out 96, walked 34 and allowed 14 home runs. The Yankees drafted Cunningham with the 53rd pick in 2024 and signed him for $2,297,500, roughly $600,000 over slot. He did not pitch after signing and will make his professional debut in 2025.

Scouting Report: The Yankees prioritized pitching in the 2024 draft, waiting until the eighth round to select their first position player. The group could mostly be described with two adjectives: physical and college-educated. At 6-foot-5 and 234 pounds, Cunningham perfectly fits the bill. His fastball comfortably sits in the mid 90s and has touched 99 mph. He backed it up with a slider thrown in the mid 80s and a changeup that runs a couple ticks hotter. His changeup—which has unusually high spin rates—was Cunningham’s best offspeed pitch in 2024. Previously, that role was filled by his slider, which at its best shows the kind of two-plane break ideal for inducing swings and misses. Cunningham ties his mix together with potentially-average control, but his command—especially of his offspeed pitches—needs to improve if he is to remain a rotation candidate.

The Future: Cunningham has the physicality and stuff to overwhelm hitters. Now, he needs to improve the quality of his strikes in order to make his arsenal play at the upper levels of the minor leagues and, eventually, the big leagues.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50.

Draft Prospects

School: Vanderbilt Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.6
BA Grade: 50/High
Tools: Fastball: 55. Slider: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 50.

Cunningham split time as a starter and reliever during his first two seasons at Vanderbilt, but he pitched well in the Cape Cod League as a starter in 2023 and continued to thrive in the role during his 2024 draft season this spring. A 6-foot-5, 230-pound righthander, Cunningham pitched to a 4.36 ERA in 16 starts and 84.2 innings, though he had wonky home-road splits and was consistently better in Nashville than he was on the road. His arsenal starts with a power fastball that sits 94-95 mph and has been up to 99 in the past, but the pitch typically topped at 97 this spring. His fastball has above-average velocity and was his most consistent pitch for strikes. Cunningham also throws a mid-80s slider that was previously his best swing-and-miss offering, though the pitch was supplanted by an upper-80s changeup that was his most consistent offspeed weapon in 2024. His change features surprisingly high spin rates and tremendous armside movement that make it difficult to square up. His slider features tight two-plane break at times, but he’ll need to rein in his command and consistency to make the most of it. Cunningham has shown he can throw enough strikes to start, but he’ll need to continue refining his secondary command and start-to-start consistency in pro ball. He should be the first Vanderbilt pitcher off the board and seems like a safe day one selection.