Jared Poland

When Poland arrived at Louisville, it wasn’t clear whether his future lay in the infield or on the mound. During the coronavirus shortened 2020 season, he showed as much promise at second base, where he hit .281/.361/.500 as he did on the mound, where he posted a 12.71 ERA with 11 hits allowed in 5.2 innings. But Poland stuck with pitching, even when a foot injury sidelined him for much of 2021. He earned the Friday starter role for Louisville this season, and impressed, going 5-5, 3.46 with 103 strikeouts and 32 walks in 83.1 innings. Poland’s fringe-average, 91-93 mph fastball can touch 96. It has vertical life, but thanks to his over-the-top delivery and downward plane, it’s not a pitch that plays effectively at the top of the zone. Hitters hit .325/418/.534 against his fastball, but his above-average mid-80s changeup is more effective, and his low-80s slider could develop into an above-average pitch as well. It has excellent depth and is rarely squared up, even if he didn’t rely on it that much.