Alex Rao

After making four starts for Notre Dame during the 2020 coronavirus-shortened season, Rao has spent the last two years as a key member of the Irish’s bullpen. He’s looking to be a quality senior sign this year as a reliever with a plus 93-96 mph fastball that will touch 98. Rao’s four-seamer has excellent life up in the zone. He also throws a plus mid-80s split-change that pairs excellently with his fastball. If he keeps it down in the zone, it’s nearly impossible to lift. Rao doesn’t throw enough strikes and his slider is below-average, but Rao has two plus pitches that are effective to both lefties and righties because he works with a north-south approach. He should get a shot to show it can work in a pro bullpen.