Cade Obermueller Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Cade Mitchell Obermueller
Born 07/28/2003 in Iowa City, IA
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 150 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Iowa
Drafted in the 19th round (585th overall) by the Texas Rangers in 2024.

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School: Iowa
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21
BA Grade: 40/High
Tools: Fastball: 45. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 40.

Obermueller was part of one of the most talented rotations in the country in 2024 at Iowa, alongside righthanders Brody Brecht and Marcus Morgan. After pitching out of the bullpen for Iowa in 2023 and pitching as a reliever in the Cape Cod League, he moved into a starting role and posted a 3.92 ERA over 59.2 innings and 13 starts with a 27.1% strikeout rate and 15.2% walk rate. A small and skinny lefthander with a 5-foot-11, 160-pound frame and sidearm slot, Obermueller primarily works off a two-pitch fastball/slider combo. He sits in the low 90s and gets up to 95 with a fastball that has sinking shape and has traditionally been a heavy groundball offering for him—though his groundball rate fell significantly from 2023 to 2024—and pairs the fastball with a 78-82 mph sweeping slider. Because of Obermueller’s low slot the slider is effective in left-on-left matchups where it generated a 45% miss rate this spring, though it’s less of a swing-and-miss offering against righthanders. Against righties, Obermueller’s low-80s changeup will become a much more critical piece of his arsenal, though he threw the pitch only 10% of the time and needs to gain more feel for it. Obermueller’s below-average control might ultimately push him back to the bullpen in pro ball.

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Draft Prospects

School: Iowa Committed: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.0
Obermueller is expected to be part of one of the most talented starting rotations in the country this spring with an Iowa team that also boasts righthanders Brody Brecht and Marcus Morgan. A 5-foot-11, 160-pound lefthander, Obermueller pitched out of the bullpen for Iowa in 2023 and also for Hyannis in the Cape Cod League, but he has a chance to win the Sunday starter role this spring. He’s a sidearm lefty who attacks hitters with a two-pitch mix that includes a low-90s sinker and a low-80s sweepy slider. His low release point makes the slider a tough pitch in same-side matchups, where he uses it nearly half the time and Obermueller has also driven a high ground ball rate—around 60% of the time. He profiles as a reliever in pro ball given his below-average command, but could shake that reputation with a successful stint as a starter in 2024.
School: City HS, Iowa City, Iowa Committed/Drafted: Iowa
Age At Draft: 19
The 5-foot-11, 160-pound lefty has impressed this spring with a solid two-pitch mix and feel for the strike zone. With an athletic delivery and a quick arm releasing from a low three-quarter slot, Obermueller throws an 89-91 mph fastball that touches 93 with movement that makes the pitch hard to square up. He complements his fastball with a sweeping 78-81 mph slider that wreaks havoc on both lefthanded and righthanded hitters. Obermueller has made some adjustments to his pitching mechanics that have allowed him to add velocity as well as be more consistent in the zone. Once utilizing a crossfire delivery with his lower half, he now lines himself up, unlocking his hips and allowing himself to achieve full extension out in front. Midwest scouts are impressed with his command of the zone and mound maturity that gives the belief that he is ready to begin his pro career. Obermueller is the son of former big league pitcher Wes Obermueller, who had a five-year MLB career and was a second-round pick.