Jeremy Jeffress

Jeffress hit 90 mph effortlessly in a bullpen session in a showcase at the University of North Carolina prior to his junior season of high school. He backed it up the following summer at the East Coast Showcase by pitching at 95 mph. Jeffress' easy arm stroke and clean delivery from a high three-quarters arm slot remind some of Dwight Gooden, especially with his high leg kick. He showed the ability to maintain lofty radar readings deep into games, hitting 95, 96 and 97 in the seventh inning with regularity. His breaking ball, a 77-83 mph slider, looms as a potential second plus pitch once he gains consistency in staying on top of it and throwing it for a strike. Jeffress hasn't need to use his changeup much, so that pitch remains a work in progress. Jeffress threw a no-hitter with 10 strikeouts in late April to outduel Virginia Tech signee Rob Whitley. Jeffress is a great athlete who ran the 60-yard dash in 6.76 seconds and could double as a center fielder at the college level. He led his high school basketball team in scoring and three-pointers as a point guard, and his sister Racquel plays basketball at Virginia Union.