ProfileHt.: 5'11" / Wt.: 216 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School
Texas Christian
Debut09/06/2014
Drafted in the 1st round (17th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2014 (signed for $2,200,600).
View Draft Report
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 Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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
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
Scouting Reports
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.
Career Transactions
Charlotte Knights released LHP Brandon Finnegan.
LHP Brandon Finnegan assigned to Charlotte Knights.
LHP Brandon Finnegan roster status changed by Chicago White Sox.
Chicago White Sox signed free agent LHP Brandon Finnegan to a minor league contract.
Louisville Bats released LHP Brandon Finnegan.
LHP Brandon Finnegan assigned to Louisville Bats from Reds Alternate Training Site.
P Brandon Finnegan assigned to Cincinnati Reds .
P Brandon Finnegan assigned to Cincinnati Reds .
P Brandon Finnegan assigned to Cincinnati Reds .
P Brandon Finnegan assigned to Cincinnati Reds .
LHP Brandon Finnegan assigned to Louisville Bats from Reds Alternate Training Site.
LHP Brandon Finnegan assigned to Reds Alternate Training Site from Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds invited non-roster LHP Brandon Finnegan to spring training.
LHP Brandon Finnegan assigned to Cincinnati Reds.
Brandon Finnegan assigned to Cincinnati Reds.
LHP Brandon Finnegan assigned to Louisville Bats from Chattanooga Lookouts.
LHP Brandon Finnegan assigned to Chattanooga Lookouts from Louisville Bats.
LHP Brandon Finnegan assigned to Chattanooga Lookouts from Reds Extended Spring Training.
LHP Brandon Finnegan assigned to Reds Extended Spring Training from Billings Mustangs.
Brandon Finnegan assigned to Billings Mustangs from Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds sent LHP Brandon Finnegan outright to Louisville Bats.
Louisville Bats activated LHP Brandon Finnegan.
Cincinnati Reds designated LHP Brandon Finnegan for assignment.
LHP Brandon Finnegan assigned to Chattanooga Lookouts from Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds optioned LHP Brandon Finnegan to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds recalled Brandon Finnegan from Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds optioned LHP Brandon Finnegan to Louisville Bats.
Brandon Finnegan roster status changed by Cincinnati Reds.
Cincinnati Reds sent LHP Brandon Finnegan on a rehab assignment to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds placed LHP Brandon Finnegan on the 10-day disabled list. Left biceps strain.
Cincinnati Reds activated LHP Brandon Finnegan from the 60-day disabled list.
Cincinnati Reds transferred LHP Brandon Finnegan from the 10-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list. Left shoulder injury.
Cincinnati Reds placed LHP Brandon Finnegan on the 10-day disabled list. Left shoulder
Cincinnati Reds activated LHP Brandon Finnegan from the 60-day disabled list.
Cincinnati Reds activated LHP Brandon Finnegan from the 60-day disabled list.
Cincinnati Reds sent LHP Brandon Finnegan on a rehab assignment to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds sent LHP Brandon Finnegan on a rehab assignment to Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
Cincinnati Reds transferred LHP Brandon Finnegan from the 10-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.
Cincinnati Reds placed LHP Brandon Finnegan on the 10-day disabled list.
Brandon Finnegan changed number to 29.
Cincinnati Reds recalled LHP Brandon Finnegan from Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds traded RHP Johnny Cueto and cash to Kansas City Royals for LHP Brandon Finnegan, LHP Cody Reed and LHP John Lamb.
Cincinnati Reds optioned LHP Brandon Finnegan to Louisville Bats.
Kansas City Royals optioned LHP Brandon Finnegan to Omaha Storm Chasers.
Kansas City Royals recalled Brandon Finnegan from Omaha Storm Chasers.
Kansas City Royals optioned LHP Brandon Finnegan to Omaha Storm Chasers.
Kansas City Royals recalled Brandon Finnegan from Omaha Storm Chasers.
Kansas City Royals optioned LHP Brandon Finnegan to Omaha Storm Chasers.
Kansas City Royals recalled Brandon Finnegan from Omaha Storm Chasers.
LHP Brandon Finnegan assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers from Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Kansas City Royals optioned LHP Brandon Finnegan to Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Kansas City Royals recalled Brandon Finnegan from Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Kansas City Royals optioned LHP Brandon Finnegan to Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Kansas City Royals selected the contract of Brandon Finnegan from Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
LHP Brandon Finnegan assigned to Northwest Arkansas Naturals from Wilmington Blue Rocks.
LHP Brandon Finnegan assigned to Wilmington Blue Rocks.
Kansas City Royals signed LHP Brandon Finnegan.
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