• Full name Michael Joseph Wacha
  • Born 07/01/1991 in Iowa City, IA
  • Profile Ht.: 6'6" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Texas A&M
  • Debut 05/30/2013
  • Drafted in the 1st round (19th overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012 (signed for $1,900,000).
    View Draft Report
    After the consensus top three college pitchers (Stanford's Mark Appel, Louisiana State's Kevin Gausman, San Francisco's Kyle Zimmer) go off the board, Wacha could be the next one selected. He owns the best changeup in the draft, a pitch that can be devastating when he sets it up with a 90-93 mph fastball that peaks at 96. His command also is as good as any pitcher in this crop, as is his competitiveness. He also has an athletic 6-foot-6, 200-pound frame and delivers his pitches on a tough angle to the plate. The only thing keeping him from being considered on the top tier of college arms is the lack of a plus breaking ball. Wacha made progress with a slider last summer under the tutelage of Team USA pitching coach Rob Walton, and he also throws a curveball. Wacha generally sticks with whichever breaking pitch is working best on a given day. Both pitches can get loose at times and project as no better than average at the big league level. Despite that one shortcoming, he still could find his way into the first 10 picks. He may not have the ceiling of Appel, Gausman or Zimmer, but Wacha has a higher floor.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Draft Prospects

Minor League Top Prospects

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Changeup in the St. Louis Cardinals in 2013

Scouting Reports

Career Transactions

  • San Diego Padres sent RHP Michael Wacha on a rehab assignment to El Paso Chihuahuas.
  • San Diego Padres sent RHP Michael Wacha on a rehab assignment to El Paso Chihuahuas.
  • San Diego Padres sent RHP Michael Wacha on a rehab assignment to El Paso Chihuahuas.
  • San Diego Padres sent RHP Michael Wacha on a rehab assignment to El Paso Chihuahuas.
  • San Diego Padres placed RHP Michael Wacha on the 15-day injured list retroactive to July 2, 2023. Right shoulder inflammation.
  • San Diego Padres activated RHP Michael Wacha.
  • San Diego Padres signed free agent RHP Michael Wacha.
  • San Diego Padres activated RHP Michael Wacha.

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