Chase Dollander

School: Tennessee Source: 4YR

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.7
BA Grade:55/High
Tools:Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Curveball: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 55.

An under-the-radar prospect out of high school, Dollander began his college career at Georgia Southern, but transferred to Tennessee in 2022 where he took a huge step forward with his control, became the Friday night starter and performed as one of the best arms in the country. Dollander posted a 2.39 ERA over 79 innings with a sparkling 108-to-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio, won the SEC pitcher of the year award and entered the 2023 season as the consensus top pitcher in the 2023 class. Dollander hasn’t been quite as electric in his draft year, however, as his walk rate jumped from 4.2% to 7.8% and he posted a 4.75 ERA over 17 starts and 89 innings. The shape on both his fastball and slider backed up a bit compared to the 2022 version, but in terms of pure stuff and velocity, Dollander hasn’t changed much. He still averaged 95-96 mph with his fastball and has been up to 98 and throws his slider in the mid 80s—both in line with his 2022 velocities—with great spin rates. He has less carry on his fastball and the slider has also lacked the consistent hard and late bite that fooled so many hitters a year ago, though at the end of the season the whiff rate on the slider had only gone from 36% in 2022 to 34% in 2023. Both pitches still flash plus, but Dollander has been noticeably less pinpoint with his command after putting his fastball in Dixie Cups each outing in 2022. Some scouts think his struggles are simply due to very slight mechanical changes, like not staying stacked on his back leg as efficiently as a year ago. On top of the fastball and slider, Dollander throws a mid-to-upper-80s changeup and a mid-70s curveball with top-down shape and 2,700 rpm spin rates. Dollander has a great pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds with a clean, fluid delivery and fast arm from a three-quarter slot. Even with his comparative struggles, Dollander is one of the most talented arms in the class and should be a top-15 selection.