Kris Bubic

Since joining Stanford in 2016, Bubic has been one of the most effective pitchers in the Pac-12. Bubic has improved from his freshman year, when he posted a 3.26 ERA in 21 games (including six starts), to his junior year, when he's been the Cardinal's best weekend starter. Through 10 starts this spring, Bubic has a 2.44 ERA, which ranks fifth in the Pac-12, and the best strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.42) of his career. A talented high school prospect out of Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) High, Bubic has long shown a feel for spin and throws from a delivery in which he tries to emulate Dodgers ace lefthander Clayton Kershaw. However, that's where the comparison with Kershaw stops, as Bubic doesn't possess a single plus-plus pitch and is seen as more of a future back-end starter at the next level. Bubic regularly throws in the low 90s and can ratchet his fastball up to the 94-95 mph range at times, but his velocity this spring has been inconsistent and there have been times where he's finishing games in the upper 80s. With a fastball ranging anywhere from a 45- to 55-grade pitch, Bubic's changeup--which he locates well and throws with good arm speed--is easily his best offering, with some scouts considering it a plus pitch. Bubic has a solid curveball that's average and occasionally shows better, but he's frequently gone to the changeup as his out pitch. During the summer, Bubic pitched in the Cape Cod League, where he posted a 1.65 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 7 walks in 32.2 innings. Bubic pitched so well, in fact, that some scouts went a step further with his changeup, calling the pitch a plus-plus offering at the time. Pitchability and performance will get Bubic drafted more than his pure stuff, but there's still a lot to like as a high-floor college lefthander with impressive track record and a chance to start in the majors.