Brandon Finnegan

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Kansas City Royals #2 prospect in 2015
  The first pitcher to ever pitch in the College World Series and the World Series in the same season, Finnegan fell into the Royals' lap at 17th overall only because of an ill-timed shoulder issue. Considered in the mix to go in the top five picks, he left a late-April start early with shoulder tightness. After a week off, he returned to action and showed no ill effects. Finnegan made just 13 minor league appearances before joining the big league club, becoming the primary lefty reliever almost immediately and making seven playoff appearances. Finnegan isn't your typical first-round starter prospect. He's 5-foot-11 and his delivery is not without effort. The Royals, and some other teams' scouts, believe he's strong enough and athletic enough to repeat his mechanics, but others see him as a power reliever. Finnegan has run his fastball up to 98 mph at his best, but he sat at 92-94 as a pro reliever, and the Royals wouldn't be shocked to see him sit at 90-92 as a starter. His slider is at least average pretty much every time he takes the mound and is above-average regularly. His changeup, which he rarely used in short relief outings, is less consistent, but was an above-average pitch in college. Finnegan will get a chance to earn a spot in the Royals' rotation in spring training, but considering his lack of pro starting experience, he likely won't be ready for that role yet. He's ready to help a big league club as a reliever, however, so the Royals might opt to deploy him in that role, perhaps at the risk of affecting his long-term development as a starter.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #18 prospect in 2014 draft
  Even Finnegan's pitching coach, former big leaguer Kirk Saarloos, gives Carlos Rodon an assist for Finnegan's breakthrough junior season. TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle coached USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team last summer and brought the live-armed Finnegan with him despite an 0-8, 3.18 season. Finnegan rewarded his coach by running his fastball into the 93-98 mph range, and then became different pitcher when he learned a new slider grip from Rodon. He went from having a below-average breaking ball to a wipeout pitch. Finnegan hasn't quite had the same power he showed last summer, pitching more in the 90-95 mph range this spring, but his slider has power and late action. He still has his solid-average changeup and much more confidence now with his breaking ball. Scouts also point to improved pitchability as he has settled into the Friday starter routine as well. Finnegan is just 5-foot-11, 184 pounds, and his early departure from an April 25 start and subsequent skipping of a start with a stiff shoulder will raise durability concerns. He was scheduled to return to the mound for the final weekend of the regular season, and if he shows he's healthy could pitch his way back into the first 10 selections.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #55 prospect in 2015

• December, 2014 Scouting Report
  The first pitcher to ever pitch in the College World Series and the World Series in the same season, Finnegan fell into the Royals' lap at 17th overall only because of an ill-timed shoulder issue. Considered in the mix to go in the top five picks, he left a late-April start early with shoulder tightness. After a week off, he returned to action and showed no ill effects. Finnegan made just 13 minor league appearances before joining the big league club, becoming the primary lefty reliever almost immediately and making seven playoff appearances. Finnegan isn't your typical first-round starter prospect. He's 5-foot-11 and his delivery is not without effort. The Royals, and some other teams' scouts, believe he's strong enough and athletic enough to repeat his mechanics, but others see him as a power reliever. Finnegan has run his fastball up to 98 mph at his best, but he sat at 92-94 as a pro reliever, and the Royals wouldn't be shocked to see him sit at 90-92 as a starter. His slider is at least average pretty much every time he takes the mound and is above-average regularly. His changeup, which he rarely used in short relief outings, is less consistent, but was an above-average pitch in college. Finnegan will get a chance to earn a spot in the Royals' rotation in spring training, but considering his lack of pro starting experience, he likely won't be ready for that role yet. He's ready to help a big league club as a reliever, however, so the Royals might opt to deploy him in that role, perhaps at the risk of affecting his long-term development as a starter.