Jackson Goddard

Goddard missed a month and a half of the season with a strained oblique muscle, but he got back on the mound in mid-May, when he reminded everyone why he's an intriguing starting pitching prospect as he struck out the first seven batters he faced against Oklahoma State. When he's locked in, Goddard can show three above-average pitches. He has a history of pitching his best against his toughest opponents. He struck out 13 while walking no one in a dominating outing as a sophomore against Oklahoma State, and was similarly effective against Oklahoma and TCU that year, but he ended the season with a 4.29 ERA because he struggled against West Virginia, Samford and Oral Roberts. Goddard's 92-94 mph fastball plays as an above-average pitch and he pretty consistently has a plus changeup. His slider is less consistent but will also show signs of being an above-average pitch at its best. He struggles to stay in the strike zone consistently, but when he's locked in, he can be great. Too often, however, he is working hard just to get through five innings.