IP | 12 |
---|---|
ERA | 6 |
WHIP | 1.83 |
BB/9 | 7.5 |
SO/9 | 9 |
- Full name Zachary D Willeman
- Born 03/27/1996 in Napoleon, OH
- Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 219 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Kent State
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Drafted in the 19th round (580th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 (signed for $125,000).
View Draft Report
Kent State head coach Jeff Duncan and pitching coach Mike Birkbeck have established an assembly line of interesting starters. A year after Eric Lauer turned himself into a top prospect, the Flashes got a solid season out of Willeman, their closer for two years who turned into a starter as a junior. Willeman's 90-95 mph fastball has plenty of sink and he can run it in on the hands of righthanded hitters. His curveball was a little loopier and slower this spring than it was last summer in the Cape Cod League, grading out more as a 40-45 pitch this spring. Some scouts believe he'll end up back in the pen as he has a deep stab in his arm action, but he showed fringe-average control this year as a starter.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Track Record: Willeman spent two years as Kent State's closer before moving to the rotation as a junior in 2017. He pitched well as a starter and had late draft helium, but he had Tommy John surgery a week before the draft and fell. The Dodgers snagged him in the 19th round and signed him for $125,000. Willeman sat 90-95 before surgery, but after nearly 14 months of rehab with the Dodgers, he returned in late July sitting 94-96 mph and touching 99.
Scouting Report: Willeman is a broad, physical power pitcher. His fastball velocity stands out, and he impresses even more with two power breaking balls that flashed plus. His hard slider checked in 91-92 mph and his hammer power curveball clocked 83-84. Willeman's control was a little off, but not beyond what was expected from someone who hadn't pitched in a year. His head stays still in his delivery and he reaches top velocity with little effort, enough to project average control.
The Future: Willeman threw only 19.1 innings, so his durability remains an open question. With a premium fastball and two potential plus secondaries, his upside is enormous if he can stay healthy.
Draft Prospects
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Kent State head coach Jeff Duncan and pitching coach Mike Birkbeck have established an assembly line of interesting starters. A year after Eric Lauer turned himself into a top prospect, the Flashes got a solid season out of Willeman, their closer for two years who turned into a starter as a junior. Willeman's 90-95 mph fastball has plenty of sink and he can run it in on the hands of righthanded hitters. His curveball was a little loopier and slower this spring than it was last summer in the Cape Cod League, grading out more as a 40-45 pitch this spring. Some scouts believe he'll end up back in the pen as he has a deep stab in his arm action, but he showed fringe-average control this year as a starter.